Arizona Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive federal programs that provide funding for small businesses to conduct research and development (R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. The programs are divided into three phases: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. Phase I provides up to $250,000 for small businesses to explore the technical feasibility of their innovation. Phase II provides up to $1 million for small businesses to further develop and demonstrate the commercial viability of their innovations. Phase III is the phase in which small businesses commercialize their innovations. To be eligible for the SBIR/STTR program, a small business must be for-profit, domestically owned and controlled, meet Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards, and engage in R&D that has the potential for commercialization. The SBIR/STTR program is administered by 11 federal agencies, each of which has its own application process. The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) can help Arizona small businesses identify the appropriate agency for their innovation and guide them through the application process. The ACA offers a number of resources to help Arizona small businesses apply for and win SBIR/STTR grants, including the SBIR/STTR Resource Center, SBIR/STTR workshops and training, and SBIR/STTR mentoring. A number of Arizona small businesses have been successful in winning SBIR and STTR grants. These grants have helped these businesses develop new technologies and create jobs in Arizona.