Deadline: September 20, 2026

The Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant supports eligible Afghan entrepreneurs in St. Louis who arrived in the U.S. after August 2021 and are starting or growing small businesses. Applicants must have a valid business license or LLC, EIN, and financial statement.

Eligibility:

• Open only to Afghans who arrived after August 2021 and have not received funding from the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant before.
• Applicants must have a valid LLC or business license and EIN.

Application Requirements:

• Filling out this application and submitting it is required.
• Applicants must also email the following to (hamdardh@iistl.org)
  • A one-page business plan and pitch presentation in PowerPoint. 
  • Copies of ID, LLC/Business Registration documents, and EIN
  • Copy of I-94, visa, or parole stamp in passport to confirm arrival after August 2021
• The LLC or Business Registration Number provided in this application must match the documents submitted. Any mismatch or false information will result in automatic disqualification.

Ineligible Businesses:
Subscription-based businesses, businesses primarily operated through third-party platforms or marketplaces, and franchises are not eligible for this grant. The examples below are not limited to the businesses listed and are provided only as examples. This includes businesses that operate primarily through recurring subscription models or businesses operated under a franchise agreement (for example, Subway and 7-Eleven). Businesses primarily based on selling products through third-party marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay are also not eligible.

After submitting the application form, applicants must immediately email the required supporting documents to (hamdardh@iistl.org). Please note that submitting the documents is a required part of the application process. Applications without the required documents will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Make sure to include your full name and business name in the email subject line when sending your documents.