What is the 8(a) program and what is it intended to do? The 8(a) program, officially designated the 8(a) Business Development program, is designed to assist small minority-owned businesses compete in the wider American economy. See 13 C.F.R. Part 124 Do I Qualify? Eligibility checklist (get a preliminary assessment at SBA’s Certify website) Be a small business (see below) Not already have participated in the 8(a) program Be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are economically and socially disadvantaged (see below) Have one or more disadvantaged individuals manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions (see below regarding negative control)