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SBA Grant to UNHInnovation to Help Small Businesses in R&D

Published Thursday Oct 20, 2022

SBA Grant to UNHInnovation to Help Small Businesses in R&D

The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a grant to UNHInnovation, to provide specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance for research and development (R&D)-focused small businesses under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. 

“We are excited that UNHInnovation has been awarded an SBA grant through the FAST Partnership Program for the third year in a row,” said Amy Bassett NH SBA district director.  “This funding will enable more businesses to access SBIR/STTR funding in developing their technology businesses and provide education, training, and support to New Hampshire small businesses.”

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with UNHInnovation and supporting their efforts to help small businesses gain greater access to federal research dollars,” said Mike Vlacich SBA New England Regional Administrator. “Our FAST partners play a critical role in helping us build a stronger economy by increasing access to research grants to women, minorities, businesses in rural areas and other socially and economically disadvantage individuals.”

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.   

UNHInnovation, a department of the University of New Hampshire and the administer of the grant, leveraged the first round of FAST funding to launch a program called FOSTER (Focused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Equity and Results) to provide education, training, and grant proposal support to New Hampshire small businesses. The FOSTER program has provided SBIR/STTR training to New Hampshire companies, with some of those companies representing underserved communities.

The FOSTER program’s success is due in large part to its collaborative approach. Its Ambassador Network, which is made up of partner organizations around New Hampshire, has enabled the program to engage the entire state to help identify and support potential participants, particularly those that are women-owned, rural-based and socially-economically disadvantaged. Anyone interested in learning more can check out http://innovation.unh.edu/FOSTER to learn about the program and upcoming events.

“Receiving this third year of funding will be instrumental in growing the momentum we’ve built over the past two years,” said Marc Eichenberger, Associate Vice President & Chief Business Development and Innovation Officer at UNHInnovation. “With the extension of this grant, we can offer continued support to New Hampshire companies through training and engagements, as well as direct support through our microgrant program. We’re motivated by the progress we’ve made over the past two years, and we look forward to expanding our impact again this year.”

UNHInnovation is one of 44 grant awardees nationwide.  The FAST Partnership Program makes awards for a base period of 12 months, plus two optional continuation periods of 12 months, if eligible.  

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