Where will the next life-changing technology be discovered?
It could emerge from one of the Idaho companies who qualify for dozens of $3,000 grants available through the Idaho Department of Commerce. Qualifying companies would need to use the funds to seek much larger federal Small Business Innovation Research grants or other federal grants to further research and development of technologies.
The grants are available through a $150,000 one-time appropriation by the Idaho Legislature and the number of grants available are limited. Applications for the Idaho Grant Proposal Incentive Fund are being accepted now and qualifying businesses will be served on a first-come basis.
There are two easy steps to apply. First, go to the Idaho Department of Commerce website at
www.technology.idaho.gov/federal-funding and review the information to ensure that you understand the eligibility requirements of the federal grant programs and to determine if your business and technology are right for a federal R&D grant.
Second, go to the website listed above, follow the Apply for Assistance links, and complete and submit the online form. A representative from the Idaho GPI Fund will contact you following receipt of your form in order to determine your eligibility and to provide one-on-one assistance.
Help is available even if you don’t get a state grant. Regardless of whether a business receives a GPI Fund grant, the Department of Commerce and its partners can assist businesses in preparing and developing a federal R&D grant proposal.
Companies that qualify for a federal SBIR grants can receive from about $100,000 for proof of concept to about $1 million for product development, with funding coming from 11 different federal agencies.
Technologies such as LASIK eye surgery and drug-delivery patches are examples of innovations that received their start from the federal SBIR program.
Contact: Bibiana Nertney
(208) 334-2470
Mark Strait
(208) 334-2470