Many US states offer resources to companies to assist with securing non-dilutive funding.
Hover over a state to learn more.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Many US states offer resources to companies to assist with SBIR/STTR proposal preparation and/or to supplement SBIR/STTR funding.
Alabama:
FAST: The Catalyst Center offers best-in-class coaching, in-demand services, and relevant programs to foster the success of small businesses.
Phase I: Innovate Alabama offers 50% of your SBIR/STTR Phase I grant up to $100,000.
Phase II: Innovate Alabama offers 50% of your SBIR/STTR Phase II grant up to $250,000.
The Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund (ARDEF) Program encourages public/private joint R&D in the state, awards up to $3.4 million. Matching funds are required.
The Alabama Power Foundation offers grants in their initiative areas: Educational Advancement, Civic and Community Development, Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Health and Human Services and Environmental Stewardship.
Alaska:
FAST: Alaska FAST Partnership Program is a free program created to increase the number of SBIR/STTR awards for women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses.
Phase 0: TREND offers up to $10,000 in total Phase 0 support costs
Phase I/Phase II: The State of Alaska SBIR/STTR Grant Program awards grants to Alaska-based businesses that have been awarded a Phase I or Phase II grant SBIR/STTR Grant. Phase I recipients, including applicants seeking bridge funding, will be awarded up to $25,000. Phase II recipients an initial award of up to $25,000, and may be eligible for a supplemental award of up to $75,000 if program funding remains after the application deadline.
Gap Funds: University of Alaska Fairbanks has an open call for proposals for anyone partnering with the University of Alaska to request gap funding.
Arizona:
FAST: Arizona’s FAST Program provides funds up to $3,000 per award, resources, training, and network opportunities to help entrepreneurs succeed in their SBIR proposal.
The Flinn Foundation bioscience grantmaking arm offers a Seed Grants Program for Arizona universities, research institutions, and health-care systems, and an Entrepreneurship Program for early-stage companies. Recipients of both grant types are awarded $100,000.
Arkansas:
FAST: Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) was awarded FAST grant funding in October 2024 to guide research-based companies as they seek to commercialize new technologies.
Phase I: Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) offers up to 50% of your SBIR/STTR Phase I grant up to $50,000.
Phase II: AEDC offers up to 50% of your SBIR/STTR Phase II grant up to $100,000.
Accelerator for Grant Preparation: The Lab2Launch Accelerator is for Arkansas innovators seeking a first SBIR/STTR grant or contract. Get structured support and guidance on every aspect of preparing and submitting your proposal.
California:
FAST: The California Life Sciences (CLS) Innovation & Entrepreneurship, FAST California program provides founders of innovative life sciences companies with a customized advisory program.
Accelerator for Grant Preparation: Cal Poly Humboldt FAST funding supports disadvantaged groups. California State University (CSU) Bakersfield Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free one-on-one consulting.
The California Energy Commission offers a variety of funding opportunities to advance the state’s transition to clean energy and transportation through innovation, efficiency, and the development and deployment of advanced technologies.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) offers funding for a wide range of projects related to stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
SBDC: Regional SBDCs throughout the state provide workshops, advising, and more.
Colorado:
Fast: Support provided by Colorado SBDC TechSource.
Phase 0: Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) awards up to $1,000 per business. Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
Economic Development and International Trade, Colorado Office offers no-cost advising, grant funding, and loan funding.
Connecticut:
FAST: Connecticut Innovations received FAST funding to support small businesses seeking SBIR/STTR funding.
Phase 0: Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) provides free and confidential advice on SBIR and STTR grants to Connecticut business owners and entrepreneurs.
Accelerator for Grant Preparation: Connecticut Innovations offers several programs for early-stage companies to apply for funding for pre-seed or proof-of-concept projects.
Delaware:
FAST: FAST provides funding to the Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards.
Gap Funds: Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion (EDGE) provides up to $100,000 for STEM-based businesses and up to $50,000 for Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses.
District Of Columbia
Phase I: The George Washington University’s Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) offers 50% of your SBIR/STTR Phase I grant up to $100,000.
Florida:
FAST: Florida FAST serves small businesses statewide with in-person and virtual workshops and one-on-one assistance to meet business needs in key areas, such as topical award identification, budget preparation, proposal review, support letters, and research partnerships. The University of Central Florida (UCF) Research Foundation was awarded 2024 FAST base year funding and provides proposal development and funding opportunity support.
Phase 0: The Florida High Tech Corridor (FHTC) Early Stage Innovation Fund awards up to $25,000 to support the University of South Florida’s (USF) research expenses associated with further development of the target innovation.
Phase I/II/III and Gap Funds: The FHTC’s Matching Grants Research Program provides up to $150,000 in matching grant funds for collaborative research projects between local industry partners (must have a significant presence in the 23-county Corridor region) and USF or UCF researchers, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funded projects.
Georgia:
FAST: The University of Georgia (UGA) FAST Grant is a program designed to help both increase the quantity and quality of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants from the state of Georgia.
Phase 0: The UGA FAST Program grants Georgia-based businesses applying for SBIR/STTR grants a Phase 0 grant of up to $2,450 towards the upfront cost of employing a grant writing consultant to assist with their SBIR/STTR application to generate a more competitive proposal.
Phase I: Georgia Research Alliance’s (GRA) Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program provides preliminary Phase 1 grants (up to $50,000) to help researchers at accredited public or private universities in Georgia advance a research project toward the marketplace.
Phase II: GRA provides Phase II grants (up to $100,000) to spur the formation of companies. These grants require a dollar-for-dollar match from a commercially relevant entity or granting agency.
Phase III: GRA also provides Phase 3 low-interest loans to qualified companies in Georgia, which are repaid to a pool of funds that supports new loans.
Hawaii:
FAST: INNOVATE Hawaii is the official representative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network in the State of Hawaii, which supports small and medium-sized manufacturers to enhance their productivity, growth, and technical performance through programs and services.
Phase 0: The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation’s (HTDC) Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research (HSBIR) program reimburses up to $3,000 for grant writing services.
Phase I: The HTDC HSBIR Program provides up to 50% match or up to $75,000 of the Federal Phase I award, whichever is less.
Phase II/III: The HTDC HSBIR Program provides up to 50% match or up to $500,000 of the Federal Phase II/III, whichever is less.
Idaho:
FAST: Idaho State College of Business partners with the FAST program.
Illinois:
FAST: The FAST Center at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides free resources, support, and expertise.
Phase I: The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Program provides up to $50,000 in state matching funds.
Indiana:
Phase I: Elevate Ventures provides 50% of Phase I funding match up to $50,000.
Iowa:
FAST: Iowa Small Business Development Center provides resources, support, and expertise to submit proposals.
Phase I: BioConnect Iowa provides up to $50,000 for Phase I.
Phase II: BioConnect Iowa provides up to $25,000 for Phase II.
BioConnect Iowa has assistance in addition to Phase I and Phase II. BioConnect Iowa pays 100% of the cost of one-on-one professional proposal assistance for qualifying SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II applications. This can represent a potential cost saving of between $2,000 – $14,000 for your business.
Kansas:
FAST: Wichita State University has received FAST funding to support local SBIR/STTR applications.
Kentucky:
FAST: Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation funds programs for research and development, product development and commercialization.
Phase 0: Kentucky’s micro-award covers costs of preparing a proposal.
Phase I: The Kentucky SBIR/ STTR Matching Funds Award Program provides up to $100,000 for Phase I matching.
Phase II: The Kentucky SBIR/ STTR Matching Funds Award Program provides up to $150,000 for Phase II matching.
Accelerator for Grant Preparation: The Vogt Awards is a grant and accelerator program. Each year, 6 early-stage businesses are selected to receive $25,000 in non-dilutive funding.
Louisiana:
FAST: Louisiana Technology Transfer Office (LTTO) offers FAST awards to build the SBIR/STTR ecosystem through outreach, technical and business assistance, and financial support.
Phase 0: LTTO offers a Phase 0 program to stimulate increase participation in SBIR/STTR programs.
Maine:
FAST: Maine Technology Institute received a FAST Award to increase SBIR/STTR proposals. They provide assistance with proposals such as budgets, market research, and commercialization plans.
Phase 0: Maine Technology Institute offers a Phase 0 grant.
Maryland:
FAST: Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) offers a SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab for companies writing Phase I applications to the NSF.
Phase 0: Montgomery County offers Phase 0 funding for up to $5,000 for technical assistance costs associated with applying to first SBIR/STTR award.
Phase I: Montgomery County matches funds for Phase I proposals for up to $25,000.
Phase II: Montgomery County matches funds for Phase II proposals for up to $50,000.
Massachusetts:
Phase I: MassVentures match up to $100,000 for phase I grants.
Phase II: MassVentures match up to $200,000 and $500,000 awards for promising winners from the previous year.
Michigan:
Phase I: Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund (ETF) provides matching dollars (up to $25,000 for Phase I SBIR/STTR).
Phase II: Michigan ETF matches up to $125,000 for Phase II SBIR/STTR.
Minnesota:
Phase I: Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants are targeted promising innovative scalable technology businesses in Minnesota for first time Phase I and Phase II awardees. Based on a sliding scale of Federal award (up to $35,000 for Phase I).
Phase II: Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants are targeted for promising innovative scalable technology businesses in Minnesota for first time Phase I and Phase II awardees. Based on a sliding scale of Federal award (up to $50,000 for Phase II awards).
Mississippi:
FAST: Innovate Mississippi MS-FAST services helps Mississippi small businesses with SBIR/STTR proposals by offering workshops, informative newsletters, proposal development assistance, access to university resources, commercialization sessions, and financial support.
Phase 0: MS-FAST Phase 0 Program funds, capped at total of $3,000, can be allocated for SBIR/STTR proposal preparation ($1,500), traveling ($1,000), and conducting preliminary research ($1,500), but not for indirect costs.
Missouri:
FAST: The University of Missouri offers FAST program which offers the resources, support, and expertise necessary to submit an SBIR/STTR project proposal.
Montana:
FAST: Montana Innovation Partnership (MTIP) will award up to six FAST Microgrants to eligible SBIR/STTR applicants of up to $3,000 per year. Prospective SBIR/STTR applicants may apply to MTIP to receive FAST Microgrants to attend conferences, travel to speak with agencies or commercialization partners, acquire consulting services from an approved service provider for assistance with the preparation of Phase I or Phase II proposals.
Phase I/II: The Federal SBIR/STTR Program provides for funding competitions in two phases that are relevant to the Montana Program: Phase I – to conduct feasibility research; and Phase II – to expand and develop Phase I results and develop commercially viable innovations. Grants of up to $30,000 per phase are available on a yearly basis.
Nebraska:
FAST: The Nebraska Business Development Center provides assistance to small businesses, helping them navigate the SBIR and STTR submission process. It provides resources, support, and expertise necessary to submit a project proposal. These services are provided through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); those funds are matched by the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Phase 0: Phase 0 Grants can reimburse for up to $5,000 per project for costs incurred in preparing a federal Phase I proposal.
Phase I: Phase I Grants will match federal SBIR/STTR awards up to $150,000 or 65% of the federal grant, whichever is less.
Phase II: Phase II Grants will match federal SBIR/STTR awards up to $300,000 or 65% of the federal grant, whichever is less.
Nevada:
FAST: The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers application support, speaker series, accelerator program, and Phase 0 Microgrants.
Phase 0: UNLV offers Phase 0 Microgrants up to $5,000 to cover proposal preparation expenses.
New Hampshire:
FAST: Funding through the FOSTER (Focused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Equity and Results) Program is aimed at guiding small businesses in New Hampshire in applying for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
New Jersey:
Phase I/II: The New Jersey SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program provides direct funding of $25,000 for SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track, or Direct to Phase II award/contract winners. It provides bridge funding of $50,000 for SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants.
New Mexico:
FAST: The New Mexico Federal and State Technology (NM FAST) Partnership Program provides SBIR and STTR proposal development assistance to small businesses throughout New Mexico (NM). NM FAST provides the resources, support, and expertise necessary to submit a highly competitive proposal.
Phase I: New Mexico Economic Development Department matches $50,000 for businesses with an active SBIR/STTR Phase I.
Phase II: New Mexico Economic Development Department matches $100,000 for businesses with an active SBIR/STTR Phase II.
New York:
New York SBDC provides free advising and workshops to small businesses.
Phase I/II/III: The Innovation Matching Grants Program will match the SBIR/STTR award for Phase I applicants, not to exceed $100,000, the award for Phase II applicants, not to exceed $200,000, and provide technical assistance resources for Phase II and Phase III awards.
North Carolina:
FAST: First Flight Venture Center FAST is a 2 Day training program to receive strategic guidance matching company’s technology to appropriate agency, targeted support to submit a competitive Phase I SBIR/STTR application.
Phase 0: One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program provides up to $12,000 a portion of the costs incurred in preparing and submitting Phase I Proposals.
Phase I: One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program awards up to 75% matching funds to NC businesses who have received a federal SBIR or STTR award with maximum allowed funding of $75,000 across the two Phases.
Phase II: One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program provides 25% of the Phase II award, not to exceed $75,000 across the two Phases.
North Dakota:
FAST: The University of North Dakota (UND) Center for Innovation has been awarded an SBA FAST grant.
Accelerator for Grant Preparation: Innovate North Dakota is a voucher program to support customer and market research with $22,500 in reimbursable expenses through two phases: offering $7,500 and $15,000, respectively.
Ohio:
FAST: The Ohio Aerospace Institute offers business guidance and expertise.
Oklahoma:
FAST: Oklahoma Catalyst offers training and mentorship and has the SBIR Funding Lab program. It also contains the Tom Love Innovation Hub at the University of Oklahoma.
Phase I/II: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) has offered up to $500,000 matching funds for companies.
Oregon:
FAST: VertueLab offers Information for innovators and accelerator programs.
Phase 0: Business Oregon offers up to $5,000 for professional fees and other out-of-pocket costs related to preparing a SBIR/STTR application.
Phase I: Business Oregon offers up to $50,000 matching funds for Phase I awardees.
Phase II/III: Business Oregon offers up to $100,000 matching funds for Phase II awardees.
Pennsylvania:
FAST: The Ben Franklin Technology Partners Corporation offers 1) Pre-proposal support, 2) Client assistance, 3) Pre-proposal technical review, 4) MicroVoucher Program for Phase I proposal prep, 5) MicroGrant Program, 6) Federal Marketing Assistance Awards.
Phase 0: Innovation Partnership (IPart) offers up to $5,000 for proposal preparation costs.
Phase II: Innovation partnership offers a Federal marketing Assistance Award to Phase II Proposal Candidates for up to $8,000 (or half of the total proposal preparation costs, whichever is less).
MicroGrant: Innovation partnership offers a MicroGrant to reimburse up to one-half of the total cost (or up to $2,000, whichever is less) incurred in preparing the proposal.
Puerto Rico:
The Innovation and Technology Center established, with the support of the Industrial Development Company and under a cooperative agreement between the Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, offers assistance with SBIR/STTR applications and offers free consulting services for intellectual property, innovation evaluation, and grant writing.
Rhode Island:
FAST: Rhode Island Commerce offers subject matter experts, education, and support.
Phase 0: Rhode Island Science And Technology (STAC) offers up to $3,000 to assist small businesses offset the costs associated with preparing a competitive Phase I application.
Phase I: Rhode Island STAC offers up to $45,000 to Phase I awardees.
Phase II/III: Rhode Island STAC offers up to $100,000 to Phase II awardees.
South Carolina:
FAST: University of South Carolina’s (USC) Office of Economic Engagement provides in-depth support to startups through one-on-one assistance in proposal prep and submission. From securing funding, developing training, and utilizing on-site university facilities, they are there to assist and offer support from start to finish.
Phase I: South Carolina Research Authority (SRCA) offers up to $50,000 in matching funds for federal grants.
Phase II/III: SRCA offers up to $50,000 in matching funds for federal grants.
Gap Funds: SCRA offers up to $25,000 through a Startup Grant, up to $25,000 through an Academic Startup Grant, and up to $50,000 through an Acceleration Grant.
South Dakota:
FAST: The South Dakota Biotechnology Council offers one-on-one counseling, assistance with federal registrations, help identifying funding opportunities, as well as, assistance connecting entrepreneurs with university researchers and proposal editing. South Dakota FAST offers up to $1,500 to support customer validation and up to $10,000 subsequently to support further development and implementation of the business plan.
Gap Funds: South Dakota provides up to $25,000 to conduct research demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of an innovation.
Tennessee:
FAST: Launch Tennessee offers commercialization support, grant writing and technical assistance, expert guidance and ecosystem navigation, technology transfer support, lab share opportunities, and free mentoring.
Phase I: Launch Tennessee offers Phase I matching up to $100,000.
Phase II: Launch Tennessee offers Phase II matching up to $300,000.
Texas:
FAST: The UTSA SBDC Technology Commercialization Center (TCC) offers technical assistance, submission assistance, proposal workshops, training and entrepreneurial education, proposal review and preparation resources, one-on-one consulting and business advising, networking, and market research assistance.
Accelerator for Grant Preparation: The Texas SBIR/STTR Assistance Program (Pathways) is a self-paced, streamlined, and cumulative process for TCC clients pursuing an SBIR/STTR to access no cost or discounted proposal development assistance from SBIR/STTR expert consultants.
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) provides funding for a wide array of projects aimed at advancing cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
Utah:
FAST: The Utah Innovation Center offers 1) Direct proposal assistance, 2) Agency-specific training, 3) Connections to TABA resources, 4) Capital connections, 5) Industry associations, 6) University technology transfer.
Phase 0: Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) offers $3,000-$5,000 to offset the costs of submitting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal.
Gap Funds: UTIF offers Nonrecourse loans can provide up to $50,000 to help bridge the gap between Phase I and Phase II SBIR/STTR R&D efforts.
Vermont:
Phase 0: Elevate Vermont offers technical assistance to help prepare and submit Phase I grant applications.
Phase I: Elevate Vermont provides matching grants for Phase I awardees (Coming Soon).
Virginia:
FAST: The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation offers low-cost training workshops, discounts with proposal consultants, discounts on proposal preparation software, Intro to third-party capital, referral to law firms for free IP and patent consults, referrals to outsourced cost accounting solutions, SBIR strategy consultations, and funding assistance.
Virginia Catalyst offers an industry/academia partnership grant program to commercialize life science innovations with awards of $200,000-$800,000.
Washington:
FAST: The Life Science Washington Institute (LSWI) educates on 1) Strategies for targeting your proposal to address NIH requirements, 2) How to approach each section of your proposal, 3) Planning your commercialization strategy, and 4) Writing to meet the reviewers’ expectations. LSWI offers bootcamps, presentations, and individual consultations.
West Virginia:
FAST: The U.S Research Impact Alliance offers access to subject matter experts and educational resources.
Phase 0: The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers up to $2,500 to help offset costs related to preparing a Phase I proposal.
Phase I: The West Virginia SBDC offers a Phase I Matching Award of up to $100,000.
Phase II: The West Virginia SBDC offers a Phase II Matching Award of up to $200,000.
Wisconsin:
FAST: The Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization offers specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance.
Phase I: The Universities of Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) Matches 50% up to $75,000 of Phase I SBIR or STTR awards.
Phase II: The Wisconsin CTC matches up to $100,000 per year for up to 2 years of Phase II of SBIR/STTR awards.
Wyoming:
FAST: University of Wyoming Small Business Development Center offers 1) business advising & training, 2) Market research, and 3) Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) to provide initial funding ($5,000) and technical assistance throughout the entire application process.
Phase I: The Wyoming Business Council matches up to $100,000 for SBIR Phase I awardees.
Phase II: The Wyoming Business Council matches up to $200,000 for SBIR Phase II awardees.