Access $50B+ in non-dilutive government funding for your startup. Find SBIR, STTR, and state grant programs that don't require equity or repayment.
Technology innovation and commercialization
Agency: Multiple Agencies
University-industry partnerships
Agency: Multiple Agencies
Clean energy and climate technology
Agency: Department of Energy
Biomedical and healthcare innovation
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Technology commercialization
Agency: State of California
Innovation ecosystem development
Agency: Empire State Development
Emerging technology commercialization
Agency: State of Texas
Life sciences and biotech
Agency: MLSC
Agriculture technology and food innovation
Agency: USDA
Dual-use defense technology
Agency: Department of Defense
Aerospace and space technology
Agency: NASA
Environmental technology and sustainability
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Search government databases, review eligibility requirements, and identify programs aligned with your technology and market focus.
Develop technical approach, market analysis, commercialization plan, budget, and team qualifications. Allow 40-80 hours for comprehensive applications.
Submit through appropriate government portals (grants.gov, agency-specific systems) before deadlines. Ensure all required documents are included.
Applications undergo technical and commercial evaluation by expert reviewers. Process typically takes 3-6 months with funding decisions communicated directly.
Government grants for startups include SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs, which are the largest federal funding sources. Additional programs include DOE grants for clean energy, NIH grants for biomedical research, NSF grants for scientific research, USDA grants for agriculture tech, and state-specific innovation programs. Each program has different eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application requirements.
Grant amounts vary significantly by program. SBIR Phase I grants typically provide $50K-$300K for feasibility studies, while Phase II grants range from $500K-$2.5M for product development. STTR grants have similar amounts but require university partnerships. Specialized programs can offer larger amounts: DOE grants can reach $10M+, while state grants typically range from $25K-$500K. Unlike loans, grants don't need to be repaid.
Most federal grant programs require US-based small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. SBIR/STTR programs require at least 51% US citizen ownership and focus on innovation in areas like healthcare, defense, energy, and technology. Some programs have additional requirements like university partnerships (STTR), minority ownership, or specific industry focus. Startups must demonstrate technical innovation and commercial potential.
Government grants are highly competitive with typical success rates of 10-15%. SBIR programs receive 5,000+ applications annually with acceptance rates around 12%. Success depends on technical merit, commercial potential, team qualifications, and alignment with agency priorities. Well-prepared applications with strong technical approaches, clear commercialization plans, and experienced teams have significantly higher success rates.
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grants are awarded directly to small businesses for internal R&D projects. STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grants require partnerships between small businesses and research institutions, with at least 30% of work performed by the research partner. Both offer similar funding amounts and phases, but STTR emphasizes technology transfer from universities to commercial markets.
The grant process typically takes 12-18 months from application to funding. Most programs have annual or semi-annual solicitation cycles with 3-6 month application periods. After submission, review processes take 3-6 months, followed by award negotiations and administrative setup. Fast-track programs may accelerate this timeline, while large grants may take longer due to additional review requirements.
Yes, startups can apply for multiple grants as long as they don't request funding for identical work from multiple sources. However, you must disclose all pending and awarded grants in applications. Many successful companies use grants strategically: Phase I SBIR for feasibility, Phase II for development, and complementary state or foundation grants for related activities.
Common mistakes include inadequate market research, weak commercialization plans, insufficient technical detail, unrealistic budgets, and poor writing quality. Many applicants underestimate the time required (typically 40-80 hours for SBIR applications) or fail to address specific solicitation requirements. Successful applications demonstrate clear technical innovation, realistic timelines, qualified teams, and strong commercial potential with specific go-to-market strategies.
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