Opportunity Information: Apply for FAST 2018 R 0012A
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program - SBTDCs is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) designed to strengthen the innovation pipeline for small businesses by expanding participation in the federal SBIR and STTR programs. SBA, established in 1953, is widely known for lending support, but it also funds organizations that provide hands-on counseling, training, and technical assistance to help small firms and early-stage entrepreneurs grow, improve management capacity, increase productivity, and pursue innovative, technology-driven opportunities. This FAST opportunity sits within that broader technical assistance mission, with a specific emphasis on helping small businesses compete for research and development funding and move closer to real-world commercialization.
The program is administered by SBA's Office of Innovation and Technology, which focuses on improving the technological competitiveness of U.S. small businesses through coordination and support of SBIR and STTR efforts nationwide. At its core, FAST aims to increase the number of small firms engaging in high-risk, high-reward technology development and to help keep the United States at the leading edge of next-generation R&D. Rather than directly funding the R&D of a single company, FAST funds state or regional intermediaries that can guide many companies at once, building a stronger ecosystem for proposal development, award success, and commercialization readiness.
Funding under this opportunity is provided for one year to organizations capable of running state or regional programs. The work is organized around three practical outcomes: first, increasing the number of SBIR/STTR proposals submitted by small businesses by conducting outreach and offering financial support to prospective applicants; second, increasing the number of SBIR/STTR awards by providing technical assistance and mentoring that improves proposal quality and competitiveness; and third, improving commercialization success for SBIR/STTR awardees through continued technical assistance and mentoring geared toward market readiness, business development, and translation of federally funded research into viable products or services. In other words, FAST supports the full front end of the innovation funnel, from identifying and recruiting potential applicants, to helping them write stronger applications, to preparing awardees to make the jump from research results to market impact.
This particular listing (Funding Opportunity Number FAST 2018 R 0012A) was issued by the SBA as a grant under CFDA 59.058, with an activity focus spanning business and commerce as well as science, technology, and other research and development fields. The award ceiling is $125,000 per award, and SBA anticipated making six awards under this solicitation. Eligibility is not described in detail in the provided text beyond noting "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the title indicates an emphasis on SBTDCs (Small Business Technology Development Centers) and related organizations positioned to deliver regional technical assistance infrastructure. The opportunity was created on May 4, 2018, with an original closing date of June 20, 2018.Apply for FAST 2018 R 0012A
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM – SBTDCs" 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 May 04, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 2018. (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 $125,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAST Partnership Program - SBTDCs (FAST 2018 R 0012A) FAQs
What is the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program - SBTDCs?
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program - SBTDCs is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). It is designed to strengthen the innovation pipeline for small businesses by expanding participation in the federal SBIR and STTR programs through outreach, technical assistance, mentoring, and commercialization support delivered by state or regional intermediaries.
Who is the awarding agency?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Which SBA office administers this program?
The program is administered by SBA's Office of Innovation and Technology, which focuses on improving the technological competitiveness of U.S. small businesses through coordination and support of SBIR and STTR efforts nationwide.
What is the main purpose of this FAST opportunity?
The main purpose is to expand and strengthen support systems that help small businesses compete for SBIR and STTR funding and move closer to real-world commercialization. FAST does this by funding organizations that can provide hands-on counseling, training, and technical assistance across a state or region.
Does this program directly fund a small business's R&D project?
No. Based on the provided description, FAST does not directly fund the R&D of a single company. Instead, it funds state or regional intermediaries that can guide and support many companies at once, improving proposal development, award competitiveness, and commercialization readiness.
What kinds of outcomes does FAST funding support?
The work is organized around three outcomes: (1) increasing the number of SBIR/STTR proposals submitted by small businesses through outreach and financial support to prospective applicants; (2) increasing the number of SBIR/STTR awards through technical assistance and mentoring to improve proposal quality and competitiveness; and (3) improving commercialization success for SBIR/STTR awardees through continued technical assistance and mentoring focused on market readiness and business development.
What types of activities are emphasized under this opportunity?
The listing emphasizes outreach to recruit potential SBIR/STTR applicants, technical assistance and mentoring to strengthen submissions, and ongoing support for awardees to help translate federally funded research into viable products or services.
What is the funding duration?
Funding under this opportunity is provided for one year.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $125,000 per award.
How many awards did SBA anticipate making?
SBA anticipated making six awards under this solicitation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this listing?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FAST 2018 R 0012A.
What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?
The listing identifies CFDA 59.058.
What subject areas or fields does this opportunity relate to?
The activity focus spans business and commerce as well as science, technology, and other research and development fields, reflecting its role in building capacity for technology-driven innovation and commercialization.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is not described in detail in the provided text. The listing notes "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." However, the title indicates an emphasis on SBTDCs (Small Business Technology Development Centers) and related organizations positioned to deliver regional technical assistance infrastructure.
Is this opportunity aimed at helping early-stage entrepreneurs as well as established small businesses?
Yes. The SBA description included in the listing notes support for small firms and early-stage entrepreneurs through counseling, training, and technical assistance intended to help them grow, improve management capacity, increase productivity, and pursue innovative, technology-driven opportunities.
What problem is the FAST program trying to address?
FAST is intended to strengthen the "front end" of the innovation funnel by increasing engagement in SBIR/STTR, improving proposal competitiveness, and helping awardees progress toward commercialization. The listing also frames FAST as a way to increase participation in high-risk, high-reward technology development and help keep the United States at the leading edge of next-generation R&D.
What was the opportunity's original closing date?
The original closing date listed was June 20, 2018.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 4, 2018.
Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The listing describes FAST as a discretionary grant opportunity.
How does FAST fit into SBA's broader mission?
The listing notes that SBA is widely known for lending support, but it also funds organizations that provide hands-on counseling, training, and technical assistance. FAST sits within that technical assistance mission with a specific emphasis on helping small businesses compete for research and development funding and move closer to commercialization.
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