Grants for Women Starting or Growing a Trucking Company

Published on 2 September 2026 at 18:14

There are several funding opportunities worth pursuing for a woman starting or growing a trucking company, but there is an important distinction: many federal “trucking grants” do not give money directly to an individual owner-operator to purchase a truck. The better opportunities are often women-owned business grants, startup grants, workforce programs, and contracting programs.

As of September 2, 2026, these are some of the strongest options I found:

Amber Grant for Women$10,000 monthly, plus $50,000 year-end awards
Starting/growing a woman-owned trucking company, equipment, marketing, operating costs
Open. Next cutoff Sept. 30, 2026
 
WomensNet Startup Grant $10,000New trucking businesses with minimal sales/early startup stage
One application can qualify you for multiple WomensNet grants.
 
Women In Trucking Foundation$1,000 scholarships
CDL training, safety, technical and leadership training. .Fall 2026 cycle has been suspended while the program is being revised. Watch for reopening.
 
SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)Contracts rather than a cash grant
Getting federal transportation/trucking contracts, Business generally must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens and meet SBA small-business requirements.
 
SBA Women’s Business Centers  Funding assistance/resources rather than a direct automatic grant. Finding capital, grant assistance, business plans and contracting WBCs provide women entrepreneurs training, counseling and access-to-capital assistance.
 
FMCSA grant programs
Varies significantly, Safety, CDL training and transportation program. Most FMCSA grants are for governments, nonprofits, educational institutions and similar organizations not individual trucking companies or owner-operators.

The one I would apply for first

The Amber Grant is particularly relevant because it accepts women-owned businesses across business categories. WomensNet says it awards three $10,000 grants each month, with some monthly winners becoming eligible for $50,000 year-end awards. The next published application cutoff is September 30, 2026.

Apply for the Amber Grant

Don't overlook trucking contracts

If the company is at least 51% woman-owned and controlled, obtaining WOSB certification could ultimately be worth considerably more than a small grant. It can position the trucking company to compete for federal contracts set aside for women-owned small businesses.

SBA Women-Owned Small Business Certification

FMCSA also announced $217 million in FY2026 trucking and bus industry grants, but that shouldn't be confused with $217 million available to owner-operators. Many of those programs restrict eligibility to government agencies, nonprofits, schools and other organizations.

 
 
 

 

 

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