The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued 32 grant awards up to $125,000 each to organizations throughout the country, including Wichita State University, for specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance for research and development (R&D)-focused small businesses under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program.
FAST seeks to improve outcomes in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs for underserved communities by increasing participation from women-owned, rural-based, and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses.
Recipients this year include state and local economic development organizations, Small Business Technology Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, incubators, accelerators, colleges, and universities. All awardees will provide support to small businesses developing advanced technologies.
In Fiscal Year 2021, $4 million was appropriated as grants for entities to carry out targeted activities from September 30, 2021 through September 29, 2022.
SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, also known as America’s Seed Fund. In FY 2021, eleven participating federal agencies will provide more than $4 billion in early-stage seed capital through over 7,000 awards to small businesses.
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power business ownership; the SBA helps entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster.