SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Commerce, Office of Science, Technology & Innovation. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Science, Technology & Innovation | NC Commerce The mission of the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation is to improve the economic well‐being and quality of life of all North Carolinians through advancing science, technology, and innovation.

To achieve this mission, the Office develops and administers policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry.

As staff to the Board of Science, Technology & Innovation (BSTI), and working with organizations across the state, it identifies and communicates emerging opportunities in science and technology and prepares and publishes analyses outlining the competitive position of North Carolina’s businesses and research institutions in these areas.

The Office also conducts tactical programs (in the form of grant programs ), strategic programs, and policy research & reports to advance economic growth in the state.

NC Coalitions Support & Resources The North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation offers the following grant programs to fund innovative science and technology companies in the state: **FY 2026 funding remains available until June 30, 2026** One North Carolina Small Business Program The SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program provides funding to help NC businesses apply for federal Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.

The SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program awards matching funds to NC businesses who have received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR award. The SBIR and STTR programs help small businesses develop and commercialize innovative new technologies.

To see the latest Incentive or One North Carolina Small Business Matching Funds Program solicitations, submit an application, submit a report, or find information about the Program in general, see: One North Carolina Small Business Program To learn about the current solicitations (FY 2026), see Current Solicitations & Guidelines .

To learn about the latest around of awards (FY 2025), see 90 Small Businesses Receive State Grants to Accelerate Innovation (October 18, 2025). To learn about the impacts of the program, see Program Impacts & Success Stories .

The Office of Science, Technology & Innovation produces research and reports that focus on both innovation and strategy , and is responsible for producing the state's primary innovation barometer, Tracking Innovation .

Recent reports from the Office include: NC Innovation Index (2024) Advancing Defense Innovation See Press Release See Press Release NC Coalitions Support & Resource Guide University Innovation Council Innovation to Jobs Working Group See more innovation reports .

Southeast Energy Innovation Leadership Clean Energy and Clean Transportation Carolinas' Energy Economy Survey NC In the Next Tech Tsunami See Press Release See Press Release See more strategy reports . A comprehensive list of the Office's policy research reports and files can be found here.

NC Coalitions Support & Resources Foster Innovation: Coalitions bring together diverse stakeholders, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. This can lead to groundbreaking advancements in technology and other sectors. Enhance Economic Development: Increased funding and innovation translate to job creation, business growth, and overall economic development.

Promote Sustainable Growth: By building strong Coalitions and implementing efficient practices, North Carolina can create sustainable growth models that benefit communities across the state, fostering accountability and supporting long-term prosperity. Attract More Funding: Coalitions are powerful vehicles for securing federal and private funding.

By supporting Coalitions, North Carolina can increase its share of grants and investments, driving economic growth and innovation.

In pursuit of these goals, we have created a Coalition Support and Resource Guide to provide a key resource for Coalitions pursuing federal or private investment, so that Coalitions can pursue those opportunities with stronger internal capabilities and the support , through OSTI/BSTI or otherwise, that they need to succeed.

OSTI/BSTI provides a broad set of resources and strategic support for Coalitions and are seeking to grow the range and types of support through strategic initiatives with the State of North Carolina: North Carolina Technology Coalitions are encouraged to work with the OSTI in identifying support opportunities that strengthen your Coalition.

To start your communication and identify support from OSTI, please fill out the NC Coalitions Intake Form . The information provided in the Intake Form allows for Coalitions and OSTI to measure their maturity level and preparedness across key dimensions, including financial management infrastructure and alignment with OSTI’s mission.

These resources are used to identify areas that Coalitions may want to expand and grow, so they can be strategic in how they seek support from OSTI. Through a federal grant from the Department of Energy, we can provide financial assistance for small-to-medium sized manufacturers to offset some of the expenses of non-equipment costs to adopt and integrate relevant SMART technology.

The Benefits of Smart Manufacturing Smart factories can monitor equipment performance and automate complex processes, improving accuracy and reducing human error. Smart factories can use data to identify issues, such as when a machine is slowing down production, and then use artificial intelligence systems to resolve them.

Smart factories can use predictive maintenance to identify potential problems early and address them at a convenient time, which can save money. Smart factories can scale production quickly to meet changing demand and can customize products to meet specific customer needs. 1.

Small-to-medium-sized (less than 500 employees) in North Carolina manufacturers will complete a short application (approximate time to complete is 10 minutes) to determine if their company is ready to participate in the program. ncstateies. com/sncapp 2.

The SMARTER NC team will review applications. 100 initially qualified companies selected to participate will receive an initial walkthrough viability assessment. Assessment includes verification of application items, confirmation of production and energy systems, and collection of information concerning current and future commitments to smart manufacturing*.

*Important: The company should assign a smart manufacturing project decision-maker. 3. From the initial 100 assessments, 75 small-to-medium-sized manufacturers will be approved to receive comprehensive smart manufacturing technical assessments to help develop implementation project ideas and strategies.

Includes process assessments and energy assessments. * Results will be shared with the company to assist with their engagements with 3rd party integrators for a project solution plan and cost proposal. Project solution plan and cost proposal are to be submitted SMARTER NC for approval of any reimbursements prior to project start.

50 projects will be approved for partial reimbursement of some project non-equipment costs. *Funding priority will be given to higher energy use projects. 4.

The Department of Energy’s designated contracting officer, and the SMARTER NC team review the quote and agree to reimburse a matching level of non-equipment costs including integration and training expenses. Note: Participating companies must provide matching investment of at least 30% of project cost. Example: For a $20,000 smart manufacturing implementation project, SMARTER NC can approve reimbursement of up to $14,000.

Maximum reimbursement to any company project is $25,000. Average reimbursements are expected to be ~$13,000. Company completes the approved project with 3rd party and submits the agreed to reimbursement amount for payment.

To receive SMARTER NC reimbursement funds, approved applicants must: Submit a detailed cost proposal for the SMARTER NC project subject to reimbursement including itemized labor and materials expenditures Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This has replaced the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)number.

Have a procurement review process in place Complete an environmental questionnaire as required by DoE Receive documented evidence of approval by DOE and SMARTER NC Submit evidence of paid invoices for the approved and completed SMARTER NC project Complete approved SMARTER NC project and submit reimbursement request before March 15, 2027.

(but not limited to manufacturers in) Automotive and Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DE-MS0000030. Disclaimer: “This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.

Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.

Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. ” jhardin@commerce.

nc. gov Jesse S. Jur, Ph.

D. jjur@commerce. nc.

gov Chris Schmidt, B. S. chris.

schmidt@commerce. nc. gov Natalie Schulte, Ph.

D. natalie. schulte@commerce.

nc. gov Since 2017, the Office of Science, Technology & Innovation (OSTI), on behalf of the Board of Science, Technology & Innovation (BSTI), has had a special focus on the Data Economy — a business ecosystem predicated on the digital transformation of operations, products, and services . "Data Economy" is a general term inclusive of big data, data science, and analytics.

Leadership in the Data Economy is becoming increasingly critical, as more and more economic value is based on the ability to successfully collect and manipulate data for insight and profit.

To facilitate preparation of students in North Carolina to contribute to and thrive in the Data Economy, the BSTI, with support from the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) , has developed a visualization tool to map the distribution of data literacy pathways in Career and Technical Education (CTE) among high schools in North Carolina, as well as data-focused certificates and degree programs across community colleges, four-year colleges and universities in across the state.

The visualization tool’s intended users include (but are not limited to) educators, government agencies, elected officials, and business leaders. Created by Western Carolina University (WCU) professor Scott Barlowe , the tool is available at: North Carolina Data Economy Pathways Visualization Tool A link to documentation on explaining and illustrating how to use the tool is at the link above and Documentation .

Additional background on the visualization tool's development is available at OSP's Project Portal. Additional information about the strategic importance of the Data Economy is available at Data Economy Press Release . The resources below represent key components of North Carolina's science, technology, and innovation-based ecosystem.

Government Departments & Offices NC Department of Commerce NC Office of Information Technology Services NC Secretary of State - Business Registration Business & Entrepreneurship Support NC Business Incubation Association NC Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Map Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Associations, Institutes, & Think Tanks NC Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) NC Economic Development Association (NCEDA) NC Technology Association (NCTA) NC Science Leadership Association Institute for Emerging Issues Kenan Institute of Engineering, Technology & Science National Consortium for Data Science (managed by RENCI) Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) Research Triangle Institute International (RTI International) Educational Organizations & Centers University of North Carolina (all 16 UNC institutions) REACH NC (Research, Engagement and Capabilities Hub of NC) NC School of Science and Mathematics NC Independent Colleges and Universities NC Community College System NC Clean Energy Technology Center FIRST North Carolina Robotics NC Mathematics and Science Education Network NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) NC Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative Museum of Life and Science NC Museum of Natural Sciences Carolina North (Millennial Campus at UNC-Chapel Hill) Centennial Campus (Millennial Campus at NCSU) Charlotte Research Institute (Millennial Campus at UNC Charlotte) CREST Research Park (Millennial Campus at UNC Wilmington) Gateway University Research Park (Joint Millennial Campus of UNCG & NC A&T) Millennial Initiative at Western Carolina University (Millennial Campus at WCU) Wake Forest Innovation Quarter