Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program – US

Purpose

• The Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program, a program operated by Innovate Alabama, is designed to award funds to for-profit, Alabama-based companies that have been granted Federal Small Business Innovation Research Program or Federal Small Business Technology Transfer Program (the “Federal SBIR/STTR Program”) Phase I or Phase II awards. The Federal SBIR/STTR Program encourages innovative small businesses to engage in research that has the potential for technological innovation and commercialization.
• Through awarding funds, the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Program will stimulate research and commercialization and will grow the Alabama economy by leveraging investment, creating exportable products and services, and creating and retaining high-wage jobs in both moderately and highly skilled occupations. By offering an award program, Alabama businesses will be encouraged to apply for the Federal SBIR/STTR Program and to realize the economic benefits of commercialized research.

Goals

• Increase the number and types of applications for the Federal SBIR/STTR Program submitted by Alabama-based small businesses conducting research and technology development.
• Help Alabama companies bridge the funding gap period between the final Phase I payment and the first Phase II payment in the Federal SBIR/STTR Program.
• Encourage the establishment and growth of high-quality companies committed to the overall economic development of Alabama and to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation across the State.
• Encourage the establishment of high-wage jobs in Alabama in both moderately and highly skilled occupations.
• Increase the commercial success of Alabama SBIR/STTR projects.

Available Funds

• Phase I Awards
  • Innovate Alabama may grant available funds to applicants that received funding under Phase 1 of the Federal SBIR/STTR Program in amounts not to exceed the lesser of either:
    • 50% of the award made to the applicant under Phase I of the Federal SBIR/STTR Program; or
    • $100,000.00.
• Phase II Awards
  • Innovate Alabama may grant available funds to applicants that received funding under Phase II of the Federal SBIR/STTR Program in amounts not to exceed the lesser of either:
    • 50% of the award made to the applicant under Phase II of the Federal SBIR/STTR Program; or
    • $250,000.00.
• Total Award Funds Per Applicant
  • No applicant (including any other applicant that is “commonly owned” with such applicant) may receive more than $350,000.00 under the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program in any three (3) year period.

Use of Funds

Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant recipients can utilize these funds to support and grow their businesses, through:

• Highly Skilled New Hires
• Business Plan Development
• Product Testing
• Market Research
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Technical Work

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must meet all requirements under the Federal SBIR/STTR Program at the time of their application for the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program.
• The applicant must meet the following requirements at the time their application for the Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program is made, or within a reasonable time before the distribution of any award (in the sole discretion of Innovate Alabama) and for five years after any award is made under such program:
  • Within 12 months after receipt of the grant:
    • The applicant must have its primary place of business in Alabama;
    • The majority of the applicant’s top executives must live in Alabama as their place of residence; and
    • At least a majority of the applicant’s employees must live in Alabama as their place of residence.
  • The applicant must be a participant in the E-Verify program.
• As a part of implementing this Innovate Alabama Supplemental Grant Program, any applicant who was awarded Phase I or Phase II funding under the Federal SBIR/STTR Program that was active as of July 1, 2021, or thereafter, is eligible to apply at this time.
• Once a supplemental award has been made for a Phase I or Phase II of an underlying SBIR/STTR, an application for additional funds for that same phase award may not be requested.
• As provided in the legislation funding these supplemental awards, preference may be given to applicants receiving grant funding and who are, or propose to conduct funded research with:
  • HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology;
  • Southern Research Institute;
  • Public or nonprofit colleges or universities, community colleges, or any other entity located in Alabama that is described in 15 U.S.C. § 638(e)(8); or
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Alabama.
  • Preference may also be given to underrepresented companies.

For more information, visit Innovate Alabama.