SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
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South Dakota SBIR/STTR Support
South Dakota FAST Launch
The South Dakota FAST Launch program is designed to assist South Dakota entrepreneurs with beginning their businesses through workshops and business training and potential market research funding or seed capital. Businesses may also compete in the Governor's Giant Vision Competition or for SBIR/STTR funding. This funding program is supported through the Small Business Association and America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR) program which supports startups through business coaching that will lead to more successful businesses in under represented areas. All businesses are eligible to access business coaching which will support stronger applications for additional funding.
Start your journey today by using the contact button below, where you will be connected with South Dakota Biotech's business coach Tung Nguyen. Wherever you are on your business journey, our business coach will tailor training specifically to your needs and work with your schedule. Any entrepreneur or existing company can register for the business training all businesses that are supported must be in good standing with all state and federal regulations.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF)
The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the United States. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
NSF receives approximately 40,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships.
The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.
NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program (EGFP)
EGFP supports Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) in EPSCoR jurisdictions by providing fellowship funding to support EGFP-eligible students pursuing research-based master's and/or doctoral degree programs in NSF supported disciplines. EGFP awards will be made to institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions. Awards will provide three years of stipend and associated cost-of-education allowance for each NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellow. Stipends must be budgeted at the level of $37,000 per year per Fellow and cost-of-education allowances must be budgeted at the level of $16,000 per year per Fellow.
Current EGFP awardees/opporutunites
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. USDA offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to support essential services such as housing, economic development, health care, first responder services and equipment, and water, electric and communications infrastructure. The organization promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. We offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations.
USDA Rural Development has a $206.2 billion portfolio of loans. We will administer $38 billion in loans, loan guarantees and grants through our programs in the current fiscal year.
GOED PROOF OF CONCEPT FUND
(South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development)
Provides up to $25,000 to conduct research demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of an innovation.
- Eligible applicants include: entrepreneurs, universities, existing South Dakota companies, or other entities committed to commercializing the results in South Dakota
- Requires a matching cash or in-kind investment of at least 10% of the total cost
- Investment proceeds may be used to pay consultant contracts, materials and supplies, salaries for employees in South Dakota, and necessary services for technical feasibility or marketing studies
- 86 POC awards have been made with more than 50 percent for Bioscience projects.
ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
The Enterprise Institute is a private, non-profit corporation that provides customized business development, commercialization, and market research services to entrepreneurs, investors, and startup companies in South Dakota.
Our mission is to assist South Dakota's emerging growth entrepreneurs.
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