FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FY 2024 | SB OIIFT 24 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OIIFT 24 001

The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program (FY 2024) is a Small Business Administration (SBA) funding opportunity designed to strengthen state and regional support systems that help more small businesses compete successfully for federal innovation awards through the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs. The central idea is capacity-building: FAST funds organizations that can run coordinated programs in their state or region to increase the number of high-quality SBIR/STTR proposals submitted and, ultimately, to raise the number of awards won. A major emphasis is expanding participation among groups and places that have historically been underrepresented in these federal R&D pipelines, especially women-owned businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small businesses located in underrepresented geographies, commonly including rural states and rural regions.

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning awardees should expect an active partnership component with the SBA rather than a hands-off pass-through grant. Projects funded under FAST typically focus on practical, hands-on assistance that improves a companys ability to identify relevant SBIR/STTR solicitations, shape a competitive technical and commercialization approach, and submit compliant proposals on time. In many states, these programs operate like an on-ramp to federal R&D funding by organizing outreach events, training workshops, mentoring and coaching, proposal preparation support, and connections to research institutions, technology partners, and commercialization resources. The program is explicitly oriented toward outcomes that can be tracked, such as increased proposal submissions and increased award counts, particularly for the priority populations mentioned in the announcement.

The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes multiple types of government entities and mission-driven organizations that are positioned to coordinate innovation support at a regional scale. Eligible applicants include state governments; county, city, or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. This wide eligibility reflects the way SBIR/STTR support ecosystems vary across the country, with some states relying on universities or state agencies, and others leaning on nonprofits, regional development organizations, or other intermediaries to deliver technical assistance and commercialization support.

Key administrative details from the notice are as follows. The funding opportunity title is FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FY 2024, and the funding opportunity number is SB OIIFT 24 001. The agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the activity categories span business and commerce, employment and training, regional development, and science and technology/research and development. The CFDA/assistance listing number is 59.058. The original application closing date listed is 2024-06-20, with the opportunity created on 2024-05-20. The award ceiling is $200,000, and the SBA anticipates making approximately 50 awards under this round.

In practical terms, organizations considering this opportunity should view it as support for a statewide or regional program that can consistently find, prepare, and advance SBIR/STTR-ready entrepreneurs and small technology firms. Competitive projects are generally those that can demonstrate strong outreach into underserved communities and geographies, provide credible proposal and commercialization assistance, and coordinate effectively with the local innovation network (universities, incubators, accelerators, SBDCs and similar business assistance providers, investors, and economic development partners). The FAST program is ultimately meant to broaden who participates in federal innovation funding and to help regions build durable pipelines that convert local research and entrepreneurial talent into SBIR/STTR submissions and awards.

• The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, employment, labor and training, regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FY 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.058.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for SB OIIFT 24 001

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