Programs Supporting Our Scientific Community
At EGC, we believe that great scientific ideas emerge from every corner of our society. EGC takes pride in leading various initiatives that have increased access to non-dilutive funding opportunities throughout our communities. By empowering entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to succeed, we not only foster their success but also enhance our society as a whole.
EGC administers the following programs to support our scientific community:
Active Programs
NCI SBIR/STTR Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP)
Initiated in 2024
The NCI SBIR/STTR Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) is designed to support scientists and entrepreneurs in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies related to cancer research.
STEP aims to enhance the ability of participants to secure funding, develop their projects, and bring their innovations to market, ultimately contributing to advancements in cancer treatment and prevention. The program emphasizes collaboration between academia and industry to foster the growth of promising technologies.
SBA GAFC-Funded WINS (Women In NSF SBIR) Program
Launched in 2024
Funded with a 2024 Small Business Administration Growth Accelerator Fund Award, EGC is providing a targeted program to increase the representation of women in the National Science Foundation’s SBIR program. Over the past 40 years, the representation of women-owned small businesses in the NSF SBIR program has remained stagnant at less than 20% of total awardees.
EGC’s WINS (Women In NSF SBIR) Program works to counteract the underrepresentation of women in the NSF SBIR program and begins with an SBIR Readiness evaluation. Successful applicants will receive customized coaching from an Eva Garland Consulting grant writing expert as well as our best selling book on the preparation of a phase one NSF SBIR grant. A key aspect of the program is that all applicants will be paired with a female mentor, who has successfully secured SBIR funding in the sustainability and biotechnology sectors.
With this program, EGC will continue to move the needle in providing equal access to women in the SBIR program, thus promoting a national equitable entrepreneurship ecosystem.
SBA FAST Award in Collaboration with First Flight Venture Center (6 years in a row)
Launched in 2019
For an unprecedented 6 years in a row, the SBA has funded a collaboration between EGC and FFVC to provides NC entrepreneurs with a comprehensive educational program on SBIR/STTR funding. The program consists of seminars to introduce the basics of the SBIR/STTR program; the FAST SBIR/STTR Bootcamp, a 2-day, in-person training program; and personalized coaching to selected companies from throughout the state. The program has successfully increased the number of SBIR/STTR awards to dozens of NC small businesses from throughout the state.
Elevate Vermont
EGC provides Technical Assistance and Consultation Services for Elevate Vermont, a technology-based economic development program. Through this program, EGC evaluates Vermont small businesses for readiness for the SBIR/STTR program, supports application development, and provides grant-management support.
I-Trep
Initiated in 2019
Facilitated by the University of Vermont, the I-Trep program provides education and skill development in entrepreneurship in order to facilitate the generation and competitiveness of biomedical businesses and to foster economic growth in underrepresented Institutional Development Awards IDeA states and territories (AK, DE, ME, NH, RI, VA, and Puerto Rico). EGC’s experts provide individual one-to-one consulting to assist in the preparation of proposals and the management of awarded SBIR/STTR Grants.
Previous Programs
Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP)
Launched in 2018
EGC has supported Kentucky Innovation through the KIIP by providing companies throughout the Commonwealth with expert guidance on the preparation of SBIR/STTR proposals, assisting Kentucky-based companies with applications for matching funds, and offering Post-Award Accounting and Grant Management services. EGC’s work has resulted in a 3700% Return-on-Investment (ROI) to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and supported companies in receiving over $15 million in SBIR/STTR funding through 8 different agencies.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Applicant Assistance Program (AAP)
Launched in 2019
Since 2019, EGC has collaborated with the NIH to offer SBIR/STTR support services to more than 700 companies. The program is based on EGC’s book, Winning SBIR/STTR Grants: A Ten-Week Plan for Preparing Your NIH Phase I Application, which is provided to all participants, along with expert coaching from an EGC Scientific Consultant. The AAP has far exceeded initial expectations in enhancing the diversity of the SBIR awardee pool. While women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) constitute only 15% of the overall SBIR awardee population, 35% of AAP participants who received awards are from WOSBs. Similarly, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) make up 17% of the overall SBIR awardee population, whereas 33% of AAP participants receiving awards are SDBs. The success of this program was highlighted in Nature Biotechnology.