The North Carolina Department of Commerce has released a new round of solicitations for the 2025 One North Carolina Small Business Program. This crucial program enables the commercialization of new technologies, while providing more jobs and investment in our respective communities. The N.C. Department of Commerce recently announced they are now accepting applications for a new round of grantmaking for North Carolina’s emerging technology companies.
The program has two components:
The Incentive Funds component reimburses a portion of expenses incurred while preparing a Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal, up to $12,000.
For the Incentive Funds Program, eligible applicants must have received official notification of submission of their Phase I Proposal by a Federal SBIR/STTR-awarding agency during the Incentive Solicitation Period to be eligible. Qualified applicants will be reimbursed for a portion of the eligible costs incurred while preparing a Federal SBIR/STTR Program Phase I proposal, up to a maximum of $12,000. The percentage for reimbursement is:
- 75% for an eligible business located in a Development Tier 1 or 2 county
- 50% for any other eligible business, as defined by the N.C. Department of Commerce (Current County Tier Designations).
The Matching Funds component affords a “matched” payment of 50% of secured SBIR/STTR Phase I award up to $60,000, payable 75% at start and 25% at submission of Phase II.
Applicants must have received official notification of Phase I award by a Federal SBIR/STTR agency during the Solicitation Period to be eligible. Eligible applicants are limited to those Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees that satisfy the eligibility requirements in Section E of the Guidelines and meet either of the following two conditions:
- Are located in a Tier 1 or 2 county (current designations*), as defined by the North Carolina Department of Commerce; or
- Are located in a Tier 3 county (current designations*), have not previously received more than one (1) award under the Match Program, and have fewer than six (6) full-time employees.
Please do review the information provided in this post thoroughly, as changes have been implemented since the previous funding round.
Eligible companies can start and submit their applications here. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2025, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
Details on how to apply for either the Incentive or Matching grant solicitations, as well as additional program information and application instructions, can be found on the North Carolina Dept. of Chamber of Commerce’s website.
Are you ready to get started on winning the non-dilutive funding your company needs?