Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) program is sponsored by Utah Innovation Center, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah). This program provides microgrants and nonrecourse loans to help Utah companies secure non-dilutive research and development funding, including assistance with SBIR/STTR applications.

Nucleus Grow — THE NUCLEUS INSTITUTE Providing a funding roadmap for Utah startups and emerging tech At Nucleus Grow, we accelerate Utah’s next generation of deep tech, life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing, cleantech, and frontier innovations. We partner with early-stage companies to turn bold ideas into market-ready solutions, fueling economic growth, new jobs, and Utah’s reputation as a global leader in science-driven innovation.

Expert Guidance on Federal Funding We are Utah’s official resource for the SBIR and STTR programs, helping companies prepare competitive proposals and win non-dilutive funding. Connections Across Utah’s Innovation Network We link founders with universities, industry partners, investors, and government resources to accelerate technology from lab to market.

We help Utah companies prepare and submit strong SBIR and STTR proposals, from registrations and budgeting to narrative reviews and final submission. We connect companies to non-dilutive funding, state innovation programs, and follow-on investment opportunities. The Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) Program is also available to SBIR/STTR applicants.

Topic Matching and Proposal Services Our team provides coaching, proposal review and editing, and topic matching in your non-dilutive funding search process. We host regular workshops and one-on-one sessions to help founders understand agency requirements, strengthen proposals, and learn from peers.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the nation’s largest source of non-dilutive early-stage funding for deep-tech ventures. With over $4 billion awarded annually , these programs provide startups with the resources to prove concepts, advance prototypes, and position for commercialization.

Nucleus Grow is Utah’s official resource partner for helping entrepreneurs win SBIR/STTR awards.

We offer: Opportunity Matching – Guidance to help identify the right agency and topic fit Proposal Development – Templates, coaching, and hands-on reviews Agency Expertise – Insights into NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, USDA, NASA, and more Grant Readiness – Support with registrations, budget prep, and compliance checklists Monthly SBIR/STTR Workshop Join our interactive workshop, held the first Wednesday of every month , to learn best practices, meet agency experts, and strengthen your proposal.

Attend Our SBIR 101 Workshop Have a novel technology or product idea Attend our SBIR 101 Workshop Create a business or get a business license Schedule a consultation with Nucleus Grow Start your free SAM. gov registration Frequently Asked Questions How much do Grow services cost? Consultations, editing and guidance are available at no cost to Utah businesses.

Events, including workshops and seminars, may have nominal fees. What are the SBIR and STTR programs? Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants and contracts fund small businesses’ research and development (R&D) projects.

Together, they provide $4 billion annually to help small businesses minimize risk so innovative technology can move closer to commercialization. Currently, 11 federal agencies participate in SBIR and five of those also participate in STTR, both of which are congressionally-mandated programs. These non-equity position dollars pay for a company’s research and development efforts.

There is no loss of technology ownership, no loss of intellectual property and no payback of funds. How much funding is available and what can it be used for? This non-dilutive funding is offered in competitive phases: Phase I typically offers $150,000 to $250,000 for a six-month project to prove the feasibility and technical merit of your idea or technology.

Phase II typically offers $1 to $1. 5 million for a 24-month project and is meant to expand the Phase I results and evaluate commercial potential. Phase III takes place as the technology moves from the laboratory to the marketplace.

While SBIR-STTR funds do not support this phase, some agencies offer sole-source contracts or follow-on non-SBIR funded research and development to help the small business commercialize a product. What does that company 'give up' to get these funds? Nothing.

There is no loss of technology ownership, no loss of intellectual property and no payback of funds. There is a clause in the award language authorizing the government to license the technology in a national emergency. However, this has been exercised just once in over 40 years and thousands of awards.

What agencies participate? Agencies are mandated by Congress to participate in the SBIR program when their extramural research budget is greater than $100 million and in the STTR program when it is over $1 billion. Currently, 11 agencies participate in the SBIR program and of those, five also participate in the STTR program (indicated in bold below).

You can search for open topics at Open Topic Search . For links and guidance on SBIR /STTR funding, you can go to SBIR.

gov or any of the individual agencies participating in the programs: Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Department of Defense (DoD) Department of Education (DoED) Department of Energy (DOE) Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Department of Transportation (DOT) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Science Foundation (NSF) Who is eligible for SBIR-STTR funding?

All companies that possess a Utah business license and are eligible for the federal SBIR/STTR program may work with the Utah Innovation Center. The company must meet these federal requirements: At least 51% owned by individuals Who is eligible to work with Nucleus Grow? The company must be headquartered in Utah.

And be registered with Utah’s Division of Corporations* or will be upon SBIR/STTR submission. *Can be incorporated in another state and registered as a foreign LLC with Utah’s Division of Corporations and Commercial Code Why work with Nucleus Grow? Besides being extremely knowledgeable about the SBIR/STTR programs, we can mentor and provide connections to help your small business grow.

We also have agency-specific task lists and templates and provide grant-writing assistance for your SBIR/STTR application process. The vast majority of the services we provide are free to Utah small businesses. What is the UTIF program?

The Utah Technology Innovation Fund is a program sponsored by the State of Utah offering to eligible Utah Small Businesses a microgrant ($3,000-$5,000) for first-time SBIR/STTR Phase I applicants, and a Nonrecourse Loan ($50,000-$60,000) to SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants. For more information about the UTIF program and how to apply, please see our UTIF page . Is my technology a good fit for the SBIR/STTR program?

The proposed technology must be in the early stages of research and development (experimental and untested technology), not yet commercialized, and directly address a “topic” from one of the participating federal agencies. Depending on the federal agency, a “topic” may reference a broad mission or a specific problem to solve. Applicants are invited to propose and develop a new technology that directly addresses the topic.

Contact grow@nucleusutah. org to assess if your proposed technology is a good fit under the SBIR/STTR program. May 2026 SBIR/STTR Solicitations Since Reauthorization in April, five federal agencies have listed solicitations for the SBIR/STTR programs.

2026 Utah Governor's Science Medals Award Ceremony The 2026 Recipients of the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology received their awards at a ceremony held April 29th at the State Capitol. The Nucleus Institute Announces Convergence Hall: Utah's First Innovation Campus Economic infrastructure facility at The Point in Draper will unite universities, industry, government, and global innovation partners under one roof by 2029.

Utah's Terrestrial LLC Secures Navy SBIR Award Utah-based Terrestrial LLC secures a U.S. Navy SBIR award, advancing cutting-edge defense technology and strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Redefining Male Fertility: Inside Inherent Biosciences’ Growth Utah-based Inherent Biosciences is advancing male fertility care with breakthrough epigenetic diagnostics that help identify hidden infertility factors and guide more effective paths to parenthood. Utah-based InnoSys Receives AFWERX Manufacturing Challenge Award InnoSys, Inc. was awarded a Direct to Phase II contract for $1.

75M through the AFWERX and S paceWERX Manufact uring Challenge, supporting the objective to build more resilient domestic supply chains and advance manufacturing capabilities for defense. Army xTech: The Front Door to Army Innovation Launched in 2018, the Army xTech program has awarded $29 m illion in cash prizes, with the majority going to small businesses, through 48 different topic focused competitions.

It is one of the most accessible entry points to secure funding, validation and technology transition partners. Espira Advances Public Health with STTR Funding for PFAS Detection Technology Espira Inc. has been awarded a $2 million federal STTR Phase II grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

EnduraCure Lands NSF STTR Grant to Revolutionize Electronic Recycling EnduraCure, LLC, based in Salt Lake City, has been awarded a highly competitive Phase I STTR grant from the National Science Foundation. Altaport Secures NASA SBIR Phase I Contract to Automate Advanced Air Mobility Utah-based Altaport has bee n awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract by NASA.

Innovation with Impact: XO-NANO’s Path from PhD Research to Defense Applications XO-NANO’s Smartfoam technology began in football helmets and evolved into advanced insoles that measure forces in motion—opening new possibilities in biomechanics, physical therapy, athletics, and defense applications. Elphel Awarded $1. 25M Air Force Contract for Thermal 3D Imaging Elphel, Inc. has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Direct-to-Phase II $1.

25M contract focused on Advanced LWIR 3D Imaging System for Foliage Penetration and Counter-UAS (LWIR-FOPEN-C-UAS) to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). Lessons in Innovation: Clark Turner’s Impact on Medical Imaging Clark Turner, CEO of Turner Innovations, is creating a future where 3D imaging and AI revolutionize medical diagnostics.

SBA Awards Utah Innovation Center FAST Grant To Help Underserved Communities Nucleus Grow, previously the Utah Innovation Center, has been awarded a Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program grant. This funding will further enhance initiatives that drive innovation and support entrepreneurial growth across Utah.

Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Nucleus Grow is the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership awardee for the state of Utah. Administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), FAST funds state and regional organizations to boost SBIR/STTR proposals and awards.

FAST awards strengthen the SBIR/STTR ecosystem by: Offering training and outreach Collaborating with partner organizations Providing technical and business assistance Offering financial support