Opportunity Information: Apply for FAST 2018 R 0012
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through its Office of Innovation and Technology. The core purpose is to strengthen the technology competitiveness of U.S. small businesses by expanding and improving participation in the federal SBIR and STTR programs, which fund early-stage, high-risk research and development with commercialization potential. Instead of directly funding small businesses to do R and D, FAST primarily funds organizations that can deliver hands-on assistance, training, and support systems that help small firms successfully pursue SBIR/STTR funding and move funded technologies closer to market.
FAST provides one year of funding for state or regional programs designed to (1) increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals submitted, (2) improve the success rate so more proposals turn into awards, and (3) better position SBIR/STTR awardees for commercialization after they receive federal R and D funding. The program emphasizes practical, results-oriented support such as outreach to identify and recruit promising small firms, targeted guidance on navigating SBIR/STTR solicitations, proposal development assistance, and structured mentoring or technical advising. It also recognizes that winning an SBIR/STTR award is only part of the challenge, so FAST-supported services commonly extend into post-award support that helps companies develop commercialization strategies, connect with partners and customers, and strengthen business fundamentals needed to transition from research to real-world products and services.
From the published opportunity details, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity focus spans business and commerce as well as science, technology, and other research and development. The CFDA (now typically referred to under Assistance Listings) number associated with this program is 59.058. The opportunity listed an award ceiling of $125,000 per award, with an expected total of 16 awards, indicating the SBA intended to fund multiple organizations across different geographies to build or expand local SBIR/STTR support capacity. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with further clarification typically provided in the full announcement; in practice, programs like FAST are commonly aimed at entities such as state and local economic development organizations, universities, small business development organizations, or similar groups capable of delivering structured technical assistance at scale.
Overall, FAST is best understood as a capacity-building and technical assistance program that complements SBIR/STTR. SBIR/STTR dollars fund the research by small businesses; FAST dollars fund the local and regional support infrastructure that helps more small businesses compete effectively for those SBIR/STTR dollars and then improve their chances of turning funded innovation into commercial outcomes.Apply for FAST 2018 R 0012
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY (FAST) PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.058.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 04, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAST (Federal and State Technology) Partnership Program - FAQs
What is the FAST Partnership Program?
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through its Office of Innovation and Technology. It is designed to strengthen the technology competitiveness of U.S. small businesses by expanding and improving participation in the federal SBIR and STTR programs.
What is the main purpose of FAST?
The core purpose of FAST is to build and strengthen the local and regional support systems that help U.S. small businesses compete for SBIR/STTR funding and improve their odds of commercializing innovations that receive federal early-stage R&D awards.
Does FAST directly fund small businesses to perform R&D?
No. FAST does not primarily provide money to small businesses to conduct research and development. Instead, it funds organizations that provide hands-on assistance, training, and structured support to help small businesses successfully pursue SBIR/STTR awards and move funded technologies closer to market.
How does FAST relate to SBIR and STTR?
SBIR/STTR awards fund early-stage, high-risk research and development performed by small businesses with commercialization potential. FAST complements those programs by funding the support infrastructure (outreach, training, proposal help, mentoring, and commercialization support) that helps more firms apply successfully and progress toward market outcomes.
What types of activities does FAST funding support?
FAST emphasizes practical, results-oriented assistance such as outreach to identify and recruit promising small firms, guidance on navigating SBIR/STTR solicitations, proposal development assistance, and structured mentoring or technical advising. FAST-supported services commonly also include post-award support to help SBIR/STTR awardees with commercialization planning, partner/customer connections, and strengthening business fundamentals.
What outcomes is FAST intended to improve?
FAST-funded programs are designed to achieve three main outcomes: (1) increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals submitted, (2) improve proposal success rates so more submissions turn into awards, and (3) better position SBIR/STTR awardees for commercialization after receiving federal R&D funding.
How long is the FAST funding period?
FAST provides one year of funding for state or regional programs that deliver SBIR/STTR-focused technical assistance and support services.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) under this opportunity?
The published opportunity details list an award ceiling of $125,000 per award.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates an expected total of 16 awards, suggesting SBA intended to fund multiple organizations across different geographies.
What subject areas or activity categories does FAST fall under?
The activity focus spans business and commerce as well as science, technology, and other research and development, reflecting its role in supporting technology-based small business innovation and commercialization.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for FAST?
The CFDA (now generally referred to as an Assistance Listing) number associated with FAST is 59.058.
Who is eligible to apply for FAST funding?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional clarification typically provided in the full announcement. Based on how FAST-type programs are commonly structured, eligible applicants often include organizations such as state and local economic development organizations, universities, small business development organizations, or similar entities capable of delivering structured technical assistance at scale.
What types of organizations does FAST typically fund (in practice)?
FAST primarily supports organizations that can build or expand local SBIR/STTR support capacity. This commonly includes regional or statewide innovation intermediaries, university-affiliated programs, economic development groups, and other small business support organizations that can deliver outreach, training, proposal support, and mentoring.
What kinds of support might a FAST-funded program provide to small businesses before they apply to SBIR/STTR?
Pre-award support commonly includes outreach and recruitment of promising firms, helping businesses understand and navigate SBIR/STTR solicitations, targeted training, and hands-on proposal development assistance intended to improve proposal quality and competitiveness.
Does FAST support small businesses after they win SBIR/STTR awards?
Yes. FAST recognizes that winning an SBIR/STTR award is only part of the challenge, so FAST-supported services commonly extend into post-award support focused on commercialization readiness, including strategy development, partner/customer connections, and strengthening business fundamentals needed to transition from research into market-ready products and services.
Is FAST a technology commercialization program or a research funding program?
FAST is best understood as a capacity-building and technical assistance program that supports technology commercialization pathways. It complements research funding programs like SBIR/STTR by improving the support infrastructure and services that help small businesses compete for R&D awards and then pursue commercial outcomes.
What does it mean that FAST is a "capacity-building" program?
It means FAST dollars are aimed at building or strengthening the local and regional capability to serve small businesses pursuing SBIR/STTR: programs, training, mentorship networks, and other hands-on assistance mechanisms that can operate at scale, rather than paying for the small business research itself.
What geography does FAST focus on?
FAST supports state or regional programs. The expected multiple awards across different geographies indicates the SBA intended to strengthen SBIR/STTR support capacity in multiple locations.
Which SBA office administers FAST?
FAST is run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through its Office of Innovation and Technology.
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