Federal Matching Grant (SCRA)

Federal Matching Grant (SCRA) is sponsored by South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). The Federal Matching Grant program by SCRA provides a 50% match on federal SBIR/STTR awards for both Phase I and Phase II, up to $50,000. This program supports academic institutions in evaluating promising technology with commercial potential.

Grant Funding - SCRA: South Carolina Research Authority SCRA Member Companies may apply for a variety of non-dilutive grants, each with its own eligibility and review criteria. SCRA grant funding is made possible, in part, by Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) contributions. Contributors receive a dollar-for-dollar South Carolina tax credit, making it a no-cost way to create a direct, positive economic effect and job creation.

Learn More about becoming a member company Who: Early-stage companies Why: To support critical milestones towards commercialization and advance a company’s pursuit of follow-on funding. Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Who: Startups advancing intellectual property from institutions of higher education Why: To support critical milestones towards commercialization and advance the company’s pursuit of follow-on funding.

Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Who: Established, early-stage companies Why: To accelerate a company to the next level of maturity and market readiness and better position the company for an SC Launch Inc. investment.

Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Federal Matching Grant (formerly SBIR/STTR Phase I) Who: Recipients of Federal grants focused on technology commercialization Why: To support South Carolina-based startups that have received Federal grants (eg. , SBIR/STTR Phase 1) and are pursuing additional Federal funding to further product development.

Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Who: SC-based startups developing innovative healthcare solutions When: Accepting applications May 27-June 25, 2026 Why: To support South Carolina startups developing innovative technologies that improve access to care, address chronic diseases, and strengthen health outcomes in rural communities.

Industry Solutions & Academic Research Funding Varies depending on impact of the project Who: Early-stage companies and/or institutions of higher education Why: To provide a valuable solution to a corporate partner and a significant growth opportunity for a small business and/or academic partner.

SCRA Demonstration Grants de-risk technology trials by providing matching funds for technology demonstrations, performance testing, or to meet milestones toward the development of new or improved products or processes.

Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Varies depending on company size and number of SC jobs created Who: Companies relocating to SC Why: To offset costs associated with moving a technology-based company to South Carolina by reimbursing expenses for moving equipment, up-fitting facilities, etc. Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Academic Matching Grant (formerly Maturation) Who: Institutions of higher education When: Accepting applications Why: To support translational research sponsored by the institution.

Grant Eligibility & Review Criteria Academic Matching Grant Application SCRA-Academic Collaboration Team (SACT) Grant SCRA awarded $3. 3M in funding to bring colleges, universities, and industry together to advance innovation. Who: SC researchers and their industry collaborators When: Next RFA released in 2023; award cycle is three years.

Why: To form multi-institutional research teams that are developing innovative solutions to the key challenges facing South Carolina’s industrial base, particularly in the field of advanced manufacturing. Grant are three-year awards.

As SCRA Member Companies advance in their development, they may be eligible for capital investments in the form of convertible loans or equity investments from SCRA’s investment affiliate, SC Launch Inc. SC Launch Inc. operates in partnership with South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) to invest in high-potential technology companies.

Member Companies deemed eligible to participate in SC Launch Inc.’s due diligence process will be invited, by their investment manager, who will advise them throughout the process. Learn more about SC Launch Inc. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Rate Acme Products 5 4 3 2 1 Enter your email address to provide feedback. How could Acme Products be improved?