About this programme
MS-FAST is a Phase 0 program run by Innovate Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Office of Innovation Management. It helps Mississippi small businesses, university researchers and others apply for federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding, which together provide more than $3 billion a year in federal R&D money to small businesses developing new products or technologies. The program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
MS-FAST Phase 0 provides money to Mississippi small businesses and university researchers doing preliminary research and planning ahead of an SBIR or STTR Phase I or Phase II proposal. Funds can also pay a university faculty member to help prepare that proposal.
How it works
Awards are made in up to three categories: up to $1,500 for research to acquire preliminary data, up to $1,500 for proposal writing and assistance, and up to $1,000 for travel grants. The maximum total grant, using any combination of the three categories, is $3,000.
Fifty percent of the award is paid at the time of the award, following a meeting between the awardee and Innovate Mississippi. The remaining 50 percent is paid once the awardee provides a copy of the receipt showing the Phase I or II proposal was submitted to, and accepted for review by, the federal agency.
Indirect costs are not an allowable expenditure.
Who can apply
Mississippi-registered small businesses, generally defined as having 500 or fewer employees, are eligible.
Faculty members, graduate students and other university personnel are also eligible if they have identified a Phase I Mississippi business partner, or intend to start their own Mississippi business should their Phase I proposal be awarded.
Small businesses are encouraged, though not required, to partner with a university and faculty member to help prepare the proposal or strengthen the preliminary research.
How to apply
- Prepare a 2 to 3 page application (not counting the cover page) covering: a cover page with date, project title, principal investigator, the business submitting the SBIR/STTR proposal, address, phone, fax, email and signature; a project abstract explaining the innovation and its relationship to Phase I/II; the target federal agency and topic/subtopic (or, for a Phase II, a copy of the Phase I award agreement cover sheet); commercial opportunities and target market segments; research team qualifications; Phase 0 technical objectives; a Phase 0 work plan and timeline; anticipated results; and a Phase 0 budget.
- If NSF is the target agency, attach a copy of your NSF Project Pitch Invitation, since NSF only accepts Phase I proposals from invited companies.
- Email the proposal, as a Word or PDF attachment, to Joseph.Graben@usm.edu with "Phase 0 submission" in the subject line, at least 30 days before the relevant federal SBIR/STTR solicitation's due date.
- Award notice arrives within 20 days of submission if selected.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Cover page (date, project title, principal investigator, business name, address, phone, fax, email, signature)
- Project abstract
- Identification of target SBIR/STTR agency and topic/subtopic (or Phase I award agreement cover sheet for a Phase II application)
- NSF Project Pitch Invitation copy, if applying for NSF funding
- Commercial opportunities and market segment description
- Research team qualifications
- Phase 0 technical objectives, work plan and timeline, anticipated results, and budget
Frequently asked
How much money can MS-FAST Phase 0 give me?
Up to $3,000 total, split across up to $1,500 for preliminary research, up to $1,500 for proposal writing assistance and up to $1,000 for travel, using any combination of the three.
When is the deadline?
Applications are accepted year round. You must submit your proposal at least 30 days before the due date of the federal SBIR/STTR solicitation you are targeting.
How is the money paid out?
Half is paid at the time of the award, after a meeting with Innovate Mississippi. The other half is paid once you send proof that you submitted your Phase I or II proposal to the federal agency and it was accepted for review.
Can university staff apply, not just business owners?
Yes. Faculty, graduate students and other university personnel can apply if they have identified a Phase I Mississippi business partner, or plan to start their own Mississippi business if their Phase I proposal is funded.
Do I have to submit to NSF's Phase 0 differently?
Yes. If NSF is your target agency, you must also attach a copy of your NSF Project Pitch Invitation, since NSF only accepts Phase I proposals from companies it has invited.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.