WOSB Certification Guide
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program gives certified women-owned businesses access to set-aside federal contracts and significantly expands your grant eligibility.
Who qualifies?
51%+ women-owned
Your business must be at least 51% unconditionally owned by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.
Women-controlled
A woman owner must control daily operations and make long-term strategic decisions for the business.
Small business size
Your business must meet SBA size standards for your industry (based on employees or annual revenue).
U.S. citizenship
All women owners used to establish eligibility must be U.S. citizens.
5-step certification process
Verify ownership and control
Your business must be at least 51% unconditionally and directly owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens. Document your ownership structure clearly before applying.
Gather required documentation
Prepare your business formation documents, proof of U.S. citizenship, personal financial statements, and documentation showing day-to-day management by a woman owner.
Register in SAM.gov
All federal contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Registration is free and required before any certification application.
Apply through SBA certify.SBA.gov
Submit your WOSB certification application through the SBA's official platform. The process is self-certification or third-party certification through an approved organization.
Maintain your certification
Recertify annually. Notify the SBA within 30 days of any changes to your business that may affect eligibility.
What WOSB certification opens up
SBA WOSB Federal Contracts
Set-aside contracts
Access to federal contracts reserved for WOSB-certified businesses
Amber Grant for Women
Up to $30,000
Monthly and annual awards for women-owned businesses
IFundWomen Universal Grant
Up to $50,000
Rolling applications for women founders
Fearless Strivers Grant
$20,000
For Black women-owned businesses
What to expect on timing
SAM.gov registration typically takes 3–5 business days. WOSB self-certification through certify.SBA.gov can be completed in a matter of days once your documents are ready. Third-party certification through an approved organization may take 4–8 weeks.
Once certified, you'll have immediate access to WOSB set-aside federal contracts and expanded grant eligibility — including access to all WOSB-filtered grants in the FoundHer database.
Ready to find your WOSB grants?
Create your free account and see every grant you qualify for — filtered by your certifications.
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