About this programme
The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are described by the U.S. government as "America's Largest Seed Fund" — they fund small businesses developing innovative technologies through non-dilutive federal awards, administered by agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF). Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, runs a layer of supplementary support on top of the federal programs, aimed specifically at Oregon-based companies pursuing SBIR/STTR funding.
Business Oregon's support has two components: an Application Support Grant that helps a company put together a stronger federal proposal, and a Matching Grant that supplements a federal award a company has already won. The two are not mutually exclusive — a company can pursue both, applying for support before submission and matching funds after an award.
The state frames its role as narrowing the gap between a promising Oregon technology company and a competitive federal award: federal SBIR/STTR is highly competitive nationally, and the state grants are pitched as giving local companies extra support to compete, plus non-dilutive capital once a company wins.
How it works
Federal Phase I awards are feasibility studies and proof-of-concept funding, at roughly $150,000. Federal Phase II awards, for companies that clear Phase I, run $1.5 million to $3 million.
Business Oregon's Application Support Grant provides up to $5,000 to help a company prepare and strengthen a federal SBIR/STTR proposal before submission — covering costs like grant-writing/consulting fees, legal or accounting work tied to the application, and research such as market studies or technical database access.
Business Oregon's Matching Grant provides up to $50,000 for companies that have received a federal Phase I award, or up to $100,000 for companies that have received a federal Phase II or Fast-Track award — supplementing the federal money rather than replacing it.
The Matching Grant runs as a periodic application window rather than being open year-round; the most recent published round opened September 4, 2025 and its application window closed October 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM. The official page did not show a new round open as of this review — check the program page directly for the current cycle before assuming availability.
Since the program's inception, Business Oregon states it has awarded more than $400,000 in state grants, which it says has helped Oregon companies secure nearly $13 million in federal SBIR/STTR funding.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Oregon-based, for-profit small businesses with under 500 employees.
A company must be applying for, or have already received, a federal SBIR or STTR award — the state grants exist alongside a federal application or award, not as a standalone funding source.
How to apply
- For an Application Support Grant: identify the relevant federal SBIR/STTR solicitation and confirm your project aligns with it.
- Review Business Oregon's Application Support Guidelines for the current requirements.
- Complete the Application Form.
- Prepare your proposal materials and any other required documents.
- Submit the application by email, per the process described in the guidelines.
- For a Matching Grant: apply during the published application window after receiving a federal Phase I, Phase II, or Fast-Track award — the 2025 round required a Budget Plan, a Disclosure Exemption Affidavit, and a narrative, submitted between the round's release date and its application deadline.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Application Form (Application Support Grant)
- Proposal / project materials describing the federal SBIR/STTR submission
- Budget Plan (Matching Grant)
- Disclosure Exemption Affidavit (Matching Grant)
- Narrative (Matching Grant)
Frequently asked
Can a company apply for both the Application Support Grant and the Matching Grant?
Yes. Business Oregon's own materials confirm the two are not mutually exclusive: a company can use the Application Support Grant to help prepare its federal proposal, then apply for the Matching Grant after it wins a federal Phase I or Phase II/Fast-Track award.
Does Business Oregon fund the federal SBIR/STTR application itself, or the underlying research?
Neither directly. The Application Support Grant reimburses costs tied to preparing the federal proposal (grant-writing help, legal/accounting work, market research), and the Matching Grant supplements a federal award you have already received. The federal SBIR/STTR award itself, from an agency such as NSF, is what funds the research or feasibility work.
Who is eligible for Business Oregon's SBIR/STTR support?
Oregon-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees that are applying for or have received a federal SBIR or STTR award.
How much can a company receive from Business Oregon on top of a federal SBIR/STTR award?
Up to $5,000 in Application Support before an award, and then up to $50,000 as a Matching Grant for a Phase I award or up to $100,000 for a Phase II or Fast-Track award.
Is the Matching Grant open year-round?
No. It runs on a periodic application window rather than a rolling basis. The most recently published round opened for questions and applications in September–October 2025, with the application window closing October 17, 2025. Confirm the current window on the official Business Oregon SBIR/STTR page before applying.
How competitive is federal SBIR/STTR funding compared to the Oregon state programs?
Business Oregon describes the federal award itself as very competitive nationally. The state programs are also competitive, but are positioned by Business Oregon as designed to give Oregon companies an edge in preparing for and following through on a federal award, rather than competing at the same national scale.
Who do I contact at Business Oregon about this program?
The program contact listed on the official page is Danielle Alexander (Danielle.Alexander@biz.oregon.gov), reachable through Business Oregon at 775 Summer St. NE, Suite 310, Salem, Oregon 97301, phone 503-986-0123, Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.