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Small Business Grants in 2026: What Owners Should Know Before Applying

Victoria Padilla
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Small Business Grants in 2026: What Owners Should Know Before Applying

If you’re a small business owner in 2026, you’ve got more opportunities than ever to find grant funding that you don’t have to pay back. Government agencies, nonprofits, and big companies all offer grants that can help you with research, growing your business, training your team, or supporting community projects. When you know what options are out there, you’ll be able to put together stronger applications and make sure your business goals line up with what grant sponsors want to support.

Grant programs come in all shapes and sizes. Some federal programs offer large sums for research and development, while state, local, and private grants might provide smaller—but still valuable—amounts for buying equipment, marketing, or expanding your business. Most grants are competitive, so you’ll need a solid business plan and a clear explanation of how you’ll use the money.

Key points on small business grants in 2026

  • Federal research and innovation grants: Programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) support research and development with awards from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, usually for projects focused on innovation or technology.
  • Grants.gov portal: This is the main federal database where business owners can search thousands of open grant opportunities for different industries and needs.
  • Private and corporate funding: Contests and grant programs from large companies or foundations offer extra funding that does not need to be repaid. These are sometimes aimed at certain industries or types of business owners.
  • State and local grants: Many states and cities have grant programs designed to support local economic growth. Local agencies handle who can apply and how to apply.

Business owners should remember that grants often require detailed paperwork, such as business plans, financial statements, and a clear plan for how the funds will be used. Competition is often strong, especially for larger federal grants, so successful applicants ensure their proposals align with the funder’s priorities.

Real-world examples show there is both high demand and a good opportunity. In many areas, competitive grants with short application periods give funding for equipment, workforce training, and technology upgrades to businesses that qualify and apply on time.

For entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses without taking on debt, grants are a good option. Federal programs like SBIR often focus on small businesses that can bring products to market, while corporate and nonprofit grants give special support to certain groups, such as women, minority, or veteran business owners.

Getting a grant takes planning and research. Starting early, knowing if you qualify, and using resources like Grants.gov can help you get funding. Business owners can also use grants alongside other funding options, such as loans or investments, to help their businesses grow.

Idaho Budget Cuts Raise Concerns Over Public University Tuition Increases

Victoria Padilla
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Idaho Budget Cuts Raise Concerns Over Public University Tuition Increases

Idaho’s public universities are feeling the pressure as state budget cuts hit closer to home. For many staff, students, and families, there’s growing anxiety about what these cuts will mean. College leaders are worried that, with less money coming in, they may have to let staff go or cut back on programs that make campus life vibrant and supportive.

The State Board of Education has said that tuition hikes are “on the table” as they try to keep campuses running and classrooms full. A small tuition increase was already approved for the 2025–26 school year, but officials warn that if state support drops further, students and their families could face higher bills soon.

Mid-year budget cuts now made permanent by Gov. Brad Little’s administration have slashed about $13.3 million from public colleges and universities. At schools like Boise State and the University of Idaho, the effects are already being felt in larger class sizes, fewer resources, and more uncertainty about the future. Some campus leaders say that unless the state steps in with more funding, students may have to shoulder even more of the cost just to keep their education going.

The state’s finances have become more complex due to tax cuts and changes in revenue forecasts. Lawmakers are now planning more budget holdbacks and spending limits. Some analysts warn that if state revenue continues to decline, there could be further cuts to higher education and other public services.

Key facts about the budget and tuition outlook

  • Permanent budget cuts: A 3 percent reduction in state funding for public colleges and universities is now permanent, creating gaps in their operating budgets.
  • How universities are responding: Idaho’s public universities are considering measures such as mandatory furlough days for certain employees in response to expected budget cuts, according to a report from Idaho State University.
  • Possible tuition increases: Education officials have indicated that further tuition hikes may be necessary to address future budget challenges.
  • Enrollment is growing: Even with budget challenges, Idaho’s public colleges are seeing more students enroll, which could increase the need for resources.

Critics of the budget cuts say that less state investment in higher education could hurt workforce development and student success, especially as more students enroll. Supporters of the cuts argue that the state needs to balance its budget because of lower revenue and recent tax changes.

However, a report from the Office of the Governor states that Idaho ended its most recent fiscal year with a balanced budget and with hundreds of millions of dollars in surplus. For students and families, potential tuition hikes could mean paying more out of pocket, even as more college-age residents enroll in Idaho. University leaders have to balance the impact of less funding with their goal of keeping public higher education affordable.

Nanoparticles Could Unlock Future Cures for Dementia and Brain Cancer

Juan Oliveros
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Nanoparticles Could Unlock Future Cures for Dementia and Brain Cancer

A new technology that uses engineered nanoparticles to eliminate disease-causing proteins could open the door to treatments for conditions long considered difficult to treat, including dementia and brain cancer, a new study said.

The research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, is led by Bingyang Shi, Chair Professor of Nanomedicine at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). It introduces a new class of nanoparticles called nanoparticle-mediated targeting chimeras (NPTACs). These particles are designed to bind to specific harmful proteins and guide them to the body’s natural recycling system, where they can be broken down and removed.

“Proteins are essential for nearly every function in the body, but when they become mutated, misfolded, or accumulate in the wrong place, they can trigger disease,” Shi said.

Many disorders, including cancer, dementia, and autoimmune diseases, are driven by abnormal proteins that do not respond well to existing drugs.

Targeting the ‘undruggable’, such as dementia, brain cancer

In recent years, targeted protein degradation has emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas in biotechnology. The idea is to destroy harmful proteins rather than merely blocking them.

However, current tools have struggled with poor tissue penetration, unintended side effects, and complex manufacturing—limitations that have made it hard to apply the approach to brain diseases and solid tumors.

The NPTAC platform aims to overcome these barriers. According to the researchers, the nanoparticles can be engineered to work both inside and outside cells, target specific tissues, and even cross the blood–brain barrier—a major obstacle in treating neurological conditions.

The Nature Nanotechnology article, titled Nanoparticle-mediated targeting chimeras transform targeted protein degradation, builds on an initial discovery published in October 2024. Shi worked with international collaborators Kam Leong of Columbia University and Meng Zheng of Henan University on the research.

Early promise, big market

The researchers say NPTACs are modular and scalable, using nanomaterials that are already approved or familiar to regulators. This could make them easier to translate from the lab to the clinic.

The platform can also be combined with diagnostic or therapeutic functions, potentially allowing doctors to track or enhance treatment in real time.

Preclinical studies have shown that the nanoparticles have strong activity against proteins such as EGFR, which often drives tumor growth, and PD-L1, which helps cancer cells evade the immune system. The technology is protected by multiple international patents.

Industry interest in targeted protein degradation is already high. Companies like Arvinas have raised more than $1 billion and secured multi-billion-dollar partnerships with major drugmakers. The global market for targeted protein degradation is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2030.

“This changes how we think about nanoparticles—not just as delivery vehicles, but as active therapeutic agents,” Shi said.

The research team is now seeking industry partners to accelerate clinical development and prepare the technology for regulatory approval, signaling that while the science is still at an early stage, its potential impact on medicine could be far-reaching.

Smartphones Ban in Catholic Schools—And It’s Working

Juan Oliveros
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Smartphones Ban in Catholic Schools—And It’s Working

“Ban” usually sounds harsh, but banning smartphones—and social media use—at Catholic schools has been met with surprising approval.

“It’s been very popular—students love it because they’re actually talking to each other again,” said Jesuit Father John Belmonte, superintendent of Catholic education for all 15 diocesan schools. The smartphone ban in Florida’s Diocese of Venice started at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

“They rediscovered what being social actually means, instead of social media,” he added. Students have even started a lunchtime UNO club, a development unimaginable when phones dominated their attention.

More than 6,500 students are affected. All non-school-issued devices are stored in lockable Yondr bags that students keep with them until dismissal. Even younger students, inspired by older ones, have requested to participate.

The results go beyond socializing. Classroom attentiveness has improved.

“When students are distracted by phones, they can’t focus on lessons,” Father Belmonte said. Nationwide, 26 states have banned smartphones in public K-12 schools, while others restrict usage, citing mental health concerns.

Indeed, research has raised alarms: a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General advisory warned children spending over three hours daily on social media face double the risk of mental health issues. A 2025 Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics study found kids receiving phones at age 12 had a 60% higher risk of poor sleep and 40% higher risk of obesity compared with those who got phones at 13.

Calvert Hall College High School near Baltimore limited phones on campus, citing one-on-one interaction over multitasking long before the Diocese of Venice’s move.

“Students listen better and engage more when they aren’t glued to devices,” said communications director Danielle Hladky.

Faustina Academy in Texas has gone further, banning social media entirely since 2018. “Kids are digitally dependent and disengaged. Phones and social media distract from what’s truly good and beautiful,” said principal Christina Mehaffey.

These schools are not anti-technology despite the rules.

“There’s a time and a place for smart devices and AI tools,” Hladky said. Mehaffey emphasizes that social media-free policies protect students from harmful content while reinforcing the Catholic mission: guiding children toward faith and heaven.

The surprising consensus: students are more present, engaged, and connected—not online, but with each other.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leaks Reveal Colors, Pricing Plans

Juan Oliveros
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Leaks Reveal Colors, Pricing Plans

Samsung has not yet officially unveiled Galaxy S26 Ultra, its next flagship phones. But leaks are already painting a clearer picture of what the Galaxy S26 lineup might look like. Early details suggest familiar color options and little movement on pricing, pointing to a safe, incremental upgrade rather than a major shake-up.

Well-known leaker Evan Blass shared a list of what he claims are the final color options for the Galaxy S26 series on X. Buyers can expect the phones to come in Black, White, Silver Shadow, Sky Blue, Cobalt Violet, and Pink Gold.

It’s a clean, polished set of colors, but nothing too flashy. If you were hoping Samsung would go bold with something eye-catching, like Apple’s bright orange iPhone from last year, this lineup might feel a bit tame.

On pricing, there’s some relatively good news.

Korean outlet iNews24 reported that Samsung is trying to keep the Galaxy S26 Ultra—the most expensive model—from going over 2 million won. A Samsung source said the company is “doing their best” to hold the line on prices.

That amount converts to about $1,360, or roughly $60 more than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Since the gap is small, Samsung could still end up keeping prices the same as last year, even as memory chip prices climb because of a global RAM shortage.

Samsung hasn’t yet announced the Galaxy S26 series. But with leaks popping up almost daily, a launch event announcement is expected soon. That should finally clear up what’s real—and what’s not.

Cheap Chinese EVs Surge in Mexico, Raising Alarm for US Auto Industry and USMCA

Juan Oliveros
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Cheap Chinese EVs Surge in Mexico, Raising Alarm for US Auto Industry and USMCA

Mexico is fast becoming the frontline of a global electric vehicle (EV) trade war — and the United States may be next.

Chinese automaker BYD is rapidly expanding its footprint south of the US border, with its low-cost electric cars now a common sight on Mexican roads. This surge is notable because it’s happening despite Mexico’s newly imposed tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles, a move meant to protect local industry and align with North American trade partners.

The development raises uncomfortable questions for Washington and Detroit. Are US tariffs enough to keep Chinese EVs out — and can USMCA rules still hold the line?

Mexico: the weak spot in North American EV defenses

Vehicles that meet regional content requirements under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) can move across North America with minimal tariffs. Chinese EVs, however, do not qualify — at least on paper.

BYD’s success in Mexico, however, exposes a structural gap.

Chinese EVs remain significantly cheaper than US or European alternatives even with tariffs reportedly reaching as high as 50%. Industry analysts say BYD can afford to absorb much of the tariff cost thanks to China’s massive state-backed EV ecosystem, which has driven down battery and manufacturing expenses.

The result: price parity — or better — with gasoline cars, something US automakers have struggled to achieve.

Why the US auto industry is watching closely

So far, Chinese EVs are effectively blocked from the US market by steep tariffs and national security concerns. But Mexico complicates that strategy.

If Chinese firms eventually build or assemble vehicles in Mexico, they could try to qualify for partial USMCA benefits — or at least reduce costs enough to make US exports viable, even with tariffs. US officials have already signaled concern that Mexico could become a backdoor entry point for Chinese autos into North America.

This is not a hypothetical risk.

China has used similar strategies in Southeast Asia and Europe, setting up local assembly plants to navigate trade barriers. Mexico’s proximity, lower labor costs, and existing auto infrastructure make it an attractive next step.

That scenario for Detroit threatens an industry already under pressure from slow EV adoption, high labor costs, and uneven charging infrastructure.

Tariffs vs technology: a losing battle?

The BYD surge also underscores a deeper issue: tariffs alone may not be enough.

US automakers are betting on higher-priced EVs with larger margins, while Chinese companies are flooding emerging markets with small, utilitarian, affordable models. That mismatch is becoming harder to ignore.

Even in Mexico, where EV infrastructure remains limited, buyers are choosing Chinese brands because they are simply cheaper — upfront and long-term.

This raises an uncomfortable truth for US policymakers: trade barriers can slow competition, but they don’t fix cost problems.

Mexico: A stress test for USMCA

The situation is shaping up as a real-world stress test for USMCA.

If Chinese EV makers expand manufacturing in Mexico, Washington may push for stricter rules of origin, tighter enforcement, or even new sector-specific safeguards. That could strain US-Mexico trade relations at a time when cooperation is critical for supply chains, semiconductors, and clean energy.

BYD’s success for now in Mexico is legal — and growing.

But for the United States, it’s a reminder that the EV race is no longer just about innovation. It’s about industrial policy, trade rules, and whether North America can compete with China’s scale and speed.

Chinese EV cars may be rolling through Mexico today. The consequences could reach Detroit tomorrow.

Pitt community divided on technology ban in higher education

Grace Tackman
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Pitt community divided on technology ban in higher education

As schools across the U.S. start to move toward stricter cellphone policies and as state and national movements to limit technology continue, the University of Pittsburgh community airs their take on the screen ban, citing its possible effects in a higher education setting.

In December, Pitt’s Educational Policies Committee discussed a potential University-wide cellphone ban in classrooms, citing distraction and mental health concerns. However, the committee has not yet reached a decision, and the discussion raises broader questions in the community about technological distractions in class.  

This article from The Pitt News showed the various opinions from some students and a teacher on the ongoing issue. 

Rahitha Gopinathan, a junior bioengineering student, believes that a screen ban would be ineffective, noting that students may need their phones for communication, especially during emergencies, and for academic reasons, such as taking pictures of notes on the board.

“I don’t think a ban would be effective because people are going to find ways to use their phones, or their phones on their laptops,” Gopinathan said. “I don’t think a phone ban is effective at all.”

Riya Desai, a sophomore political science and music student, also echoes the sentiment of Gopinathan. Although she gets distracted in class by homework for separate classes, online browsing, or crosswords, she thinks phone bans would be ineffective.

“It’s dumb because there are emergencies,” Desai said. “People wouldn’t listen to a phone ban in classrooms.”

For Connor Donovan, a graduate math student in his final semester, there may be advantages to technology, but students often benefit from a screen-free environment. 

“I’m also a T[eaching] A[ssistant], and people that aren’t on their phones are definitely getting more out of recitation,” Donovan said. “I think that if you’re paying for college, you should be responsible enough to stay off your phone.”

Meanwhile, some professors observed that balancing student freedom and implementing bans in the classroom is a delicate matter.

Amy Murray Twyning, Director of Undergraduate Studies in the English Literature department, does not believe in outright banning screens but expects her students to use physical books and printed articles in class.

“There’s nothing wrong with the technology,” Murray Twyning said. “It’s the habits of mind and concentration that I’m trying to encourage.”

Murray Twyning said students have accepted her screen policy for laptops and phones, treating it as an agreement, not a ban. 

She added that her rule discouraging screens in the classroom is effective, and she is seeing the results of more professors moving towards real-world engagement in work.

“I have seen incredible work [this year] from students — really brilliant stuff that I haven’t seen in the past two or three years,” Murray Twyning said. “And I don’t think that’s because I’m banning screens, but because I’m making other things possible.”

Solar Flares Start Small, Then Explode: New Study Reveals Avalanche-like Eruptions on the Sun

Juan Oliveros
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Solar Flares Start Small, Then Explode: New Study Reveals Avalanche-like Eruptions on the Sun

New observations from the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter show that massive solar flares can begin with subtle magnetic disturbances that rapidly snowball into violent explosions. These early changes, like an avalanche triggered by a small shift, cascade into a powerful chain reaction that continues reshaping the Sun’s atmosphere long after the flare itself peaks.

Scientists captured the details of this process during Solar Orbiter’s close flyby of the Sun on September 30, 2024. The findings, published on January 21 in Astronomy & Astrophysics, suggest that large flares are not single, unified blasts. It is the result of many smaller magnetic events feeding into one another.

Why this matters

Solar flares are among the most energetic explosions in the solar system. These explosions occur when energy stored in twisted magnetic fields is suddenly released through magnetic reconnection—when magnetic field lines snap, rearrange, and reconnect.

The strongest flares can affect Earth. It could trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt radio communications, damage satellites, and pose risks to astronauts. Understanding how flares begin is critical to improving space weather forecasts and protecting modern technology.

Scientists have struggled to explain how the Sun can unleash so much energy in just minutes. Solar Orbiter’s observations are helping close that gap.

A rare view of the birth of solar flares

During the September 30 event, four Solar Orbiter instruments observed different layers of the Sun at the same time—from the visible surface to the hot outer atmosphere known as the corona.

The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) captured ultra-sharp images every two seconds, revealing structures only a few hundred kilometers across. Meanwhile, SPICE, STIX, and PHI tracked changes in temperature, particle acceleration, and magnetic fields.

Together, the instruments followed the flare’s buildup for about 40 minutes—an unusually detailed look at a process that often unfolds too quickly and falls outside observing windows.

“We were in the right place at the right time,” said Pradeep Chitta of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, the study’s lead author.

Solar flares: A magnetic avalanche

EUI first detected a dark, arch-shaped filament made of twisted magnetic fields and plasma. This filament has a link to a cross-shaped magnetic pattern that slowly brightened.

New magnetic strands appeared almost continuously, sometimes every two seconds. The region became increasingly unstable as it twisted and accumulated. Eventually, magnetic structures began breaking and reconnecting in rapid succession, triggering a cascading “magnetic avalanche.”

A particularly intense brightening signaled the tipping point at 23:29 UTC. Soon after, the filament tore loose and shot outward, violently unrolling as the main flare erupted around 23:47 UTC.

“These minutes before the flare are extremely important,” Chitta said. “What we saw was a large flare driven by many smaller reconnection events spreading rapidly in space and time.”

Plasma rain and extreme energy

Data from SPICE and STIX revealed how energy from the flare was deposited into the Sun’s atmosphere. X-ray emissions surged as the eruption intensified, accelerating particles to 40–50% of the speed of light—up to 540 million kilometers per hour.

Scientists also observed glowing “plasma rain,” as blobs of energized material streamed downward through the Sun’s atmosphere, continuing even after the flare subsided.

Rethinking solar explosions

The findings challenge the idea that major flares are single explosive events. They point instead to a cascade of smaller magnetic disruptions building into a powerful eruption.

“This reveals the engine driving a flare,” said Miho Janvier, ESA’s Solar Orbiter co-project scientist.

Researchers say the same avalanche-like process may operate in other flares—and even on other stars. The findings have reshaped how scientists understand stellar explosions and the risks they pose to Earth.

Workday Earnings Ahead: What Investors Should Watch

Victoria Padilla
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Workday Earnings Ahead: What Investors Should Watch

Workday Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), a leading provider of enterprise cloud software, will soon announce its quarterly earnings. This report will give investors a look at how the company is performing as the tech industry changes. Analysts and investors are focusing on revenue, profits, and subscription growth to gauge demand for cloud-based business tools.

Workday’s earnings reports often impact trading in enterprise software stocks. This upcoming report should reveal how the company’s spending on artificial intelligence and subscription services is affecting its financial results. Investors are also paying attention to how the economy and competition might influence profits.

Workday’s business depends on recurring subscription revenue from its cloud products, which include financial management, HR, payroll, and analytics tools. The company has grown steadily in recent quarters, sometimes beating analyst expectations and building a large subscription backlog. Analysts see these trends as key to understanding the next earnings report and management’s outlook.

What to watch before the earnings report

  • Revenue expectations: Analysts typically look for year-over-year growth in both total revenue and subscription revenue. This is an important measure for cloud service companies.
  • Profitability signals: How earnings per share (EPS) compare to forecasts can affect stock prices, especially in the software industry.
  • Subscription backlog: The amount of future contracted revenue indicates the strength of demand and suggests long-term stability.
  • AI and product strategy: Workday’s use of artificial intelligence in its platform sets it apart and could affect how investors feel about the company.

Market expectations for this earnings report depend on Workday’s recent results and analysts’ forecasts. In past quarters, the company has shown strong subscription growth and kept a healthy backlog, which investors see as signs of future success. However, Workday’s earnings have sometimes beaten estimates and sometimes missed them.

Investors also consider broader financial trends when reviewing Workday’s earnings. High demand for cloud and automation can lead to more renewals and upselling, but economic uncertainty and competition in tech might slow spending. Analysts will also consider Workday’s focus on AI and new products when judging the results and future guidance.

The upcoming earnings report will give investors a chance to rethink Workday’s value and growth outlook. If results are better than expected, it could boost confidence in the company’s subscription growth and strategy. If results are weaker, investors may adjust their short-term expectations. Either way, the report will show how Workday is addressing evolving business needs and investor expectations as 2026 begins.

Why Dividend Growth Stocks Are More Than Just Income Picks

Victoria Padilla
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Why Dividend Growth Stocks Are More Than Just Income Picks

Dividend growth stocks, companies that regularly increase their payouts to shareholders, are now attracting attention from more than just income-focused investors. These stocks are valued not only for their cash flow but also for their ability to add stability and long-term growth to a portfolio.

The Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index is central to this approach. It follows companies that have raised their dividends for at least five years. This index is known for stability and steady income, and it tends to focus more on value stocks than on traditional growth stocks.

Dividend growth strategies usually feature companies with steady cash flows and careful management of their money. These qualities can make the stocks less volatile during market downturns, which is attractive to investors who prefer lower risk or plan to invest for the long term.

Still, dividend growth stocks have not always outperformed the wider U.S. stock market. They often have less exposure to large technology companies and fast-growing companies, many of which do not pay dividends or have only recently started paying them. This mix means dividend growers may lag when growth stocks lead, but they can do better when the market favors defensive investments.

Key facts about dividend growth stocks

  • More than just income: Dividend growth stocks give investors access to companies that raise their payouts, but returns also come from share price gains along with higher dividends.
  • Defensive qualities: These stocks are often less volatile than the overall market, helping protect portfolios during market downturns or periods of uncertainty.
  • Value focus: Dividend growth indexes tend to lean toward value stocks and invest less in popular tech companies.

Investors need to distinguish between high-yield dividend strategies, which focus on current income, and dividend growth strategies, which aim for regular increases in payouts. Dividend growth strategies often attract those who want both income and quality, like strong finances and steady earnings, not just a high yield right now.

There are risks with dividend growth investing. As tech and growth stocks have become a larger part of the market, dividend-growth indexes can lag during tech-driven rallies. Today, some dividend growers come from sectors like financials and healthcare, and a few tech companies have also begun increasing their payouts.

For financial and investment readers, dividend growth strategies offer more than just regular cash payments. They help balance risk and return in a diverse portfolio. Knowing how these stocks perform relative to the broader market can help investors pick the right mix for their goals, whether they want income, stability, or long-term growth.

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