Women entrepreneurs operating within specific industries can receive $10,000 through the WomensNet Business Category Grant programme.

The unusual advantage of this opportunity is that there is no separate category-grant application.

When a woman applies for the Amber Grant, WomensNet automatically considers her for the Monthly Amber Grant, Startup Grant where appropriate and the Business Category Grant corresponding with her industry.

How Does the Business Category Grant Work?

WomensNet selects one business category for every month of the year.

For 2026, the categories include Skilled Trades in January, Health and Fitness in February, Food and Beverage in March, Sustainability in April, Mental and Emotional Support in May, Business Support Services in June, Animal Services in July, Hair Care and Skincare in August, Education and Child Care in September, Creative Arts in October, STEM in November and Fashion and Interior Design in December.

Each category winner receives $10,000.

One of the 12 category winners is then selected for an additional $50,000 year-end grant.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be women aged 18 or older.

The business must be at least 50% women-owned and based in either the United States or Canada.

Pre-revenue ventures, idea-stage businesses and qualifying revenue-generating nonprofits can apply.

Nonprofits whose main activity is charitable giving are not eligible.

Do You Have to Apply During Your Category Month?

Not necessarily.

WomensNet explains that when you submit your main Amber Grant application, it remains active for up to another 11 months for a future Business Category Grant that fits your company.

This is useful for an entrepreneur who discovers the programme before or after her designated category month.

For example, a STEM founder applying in September may still remain eligible when the STEM category is considered in November.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply?

The standard WomensNet application fee is $15.

That single application is used to consider the entrepreneur for all WomensNet grants for which she is eligible.

WomensNet reports awarding $510,000 through its 2026 grant programme.

How Should You Write the Application?

WomensNet deliberately keeps the application simple.

Applicants are asked to describe their business or business idea and explain what they would do with the grant money.

The organisation advises applicants not to try to sound overly corporate.

That does not mean the application should be vague.

Describe your business naturally, but include enough commercial detail for judges to understand what is working and what comes next.

Explain why you started, who you serve and what the money would unlock.

A good use-of-funds answer connects $10,000 to a measurable outcome such as increasing production, completing certification, launching a product, entering a new market or serving more customers.

Current and Upcoming Categories

As the year progresses, applicants should check the official calendar because each month corresponds with a different business sector.

The monthly entry period runs from the first day of the month through 11:59pm Eastern Time on the final day of the month.

Apply for WomensNet grants

One application can potentially put a founder in consideration for several awards, making the Business Category Grant particularly useful for women-owned businesses that match one of the 12 annual sectors.