KY'S SBIR/STTR Advantage

KY Innovation offers comprehensive programs to help companies apply for, win and match federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants and contracts.

The SBIR/STTR programs are known as America's Seed Fund for good reason. They provide a vital source of non-dilutive capital in the form of federal grants and contracts for promising technologies, while allowing innovators to maintain intellectual property and positioning them well to receive private follow on funding. KY Innovation can be a key partner in helping you compete.

To learn more about the federal SBIR/STTR programs, visit sbir.gov.

SBIR/STTR Support

Apply for KY Matching Funds

Innovators that receive SBIR or STTR awards can benefit from additional funding to bridge the gap between Phase I and Phase II, as well as speed up the commercialization process. The Kentucky SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Award Program offers more non-dilutive capital on a competitive basis to recipients of Phase I and II SBIR/STTR grants and contracts that are for-profit companies based in, or willing to re-locate to, Kentucky.

KY Innovation currently offers two matching funds solicitations per year. A 2021-002 Fall solicitation window is expected to open August 30, 2021 and close Oct 25th, 2021 11:59pm EDT. This page will be updated when the solicitation window opens. Information about the program is included in the guidelines below. When solicitation periods are open, a link with the program application and instructions on how to apply will be available.

700
Jobs Created

218
Filed Patents

$130M
Awarded

$160M
Private Funding

Get Free Assistance to Prepare Your Application

The SBIR/STTR programs provide valuable funding, but are often complex and challenging to navigate. We can help. Along with our partners, we offer a range of free, expert services to educate and assist with grant application and submission.

One of the primary ways we support innovators in the SBIR/STTR process is through the Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP). Kentucky companies can complete an onboarding process to learn about SBIR/STTR before being connected to expert grant writing services and post-grant management assistance.

In addition to that program, KY Innovation partners with the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation to support agency specific accelerator programs that prepare companies to successfully compete for funding.

ACCELERATORS

In addition to that program, KY Innovation partners with the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and its Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation and Kentucky Procurement Technical Assistance Center Programs to support agency specific accelerator programs that prepare companies to successfully compete for funding.

KSTC currently operates accelerators for Department of Defense and NASA SBIR/STTR applicants.