Georgia FAST Grant

The Georgia FAST Grant Program, formally known as the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Grant, is an initiative designed to enhance the success of Georgia-based small businesses in securing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. This program is financed in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and aims to boost both the number and quality of SBIR/STTR applications emerging from Georgia. Through the Georgia FAST initiative, eligible businesses can receive Phase 0 funding of up to $2,450. This funding is designated to cover upfront costs associated with hiring a professional grant writing consultant. The goal is to improve the competitiveness of SBIR/STTR proposals submitted by these Georgia-based startups and entrepreneurs. Many participants come from or collaborate with major academic institutions within the state, such as Emory University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Georgia's extended campuses, including UGA Griffin and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. The SBIR and STTR programs, collectively referred to as "America’s Seed Fund," are federal funding programs operated by various government agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and NASA, among others. These programs support early-stage research and development for innovations with commercial potential. Eligibility for the Georgia FAST Grant requires that applicants be Georgia-based for-profit ventures actively working to commercialize a technology. They must demonstrate proof of concept through sources like Georgia Research Alliance funding or accelerator competitions and show potential for job creation in Georgia. Applicants must also meet the federal criteria for SBIR/STTR eligibility. Preference is given to small businesses that have previously submitted but were unsuccessful in SBIR/STTR applications. To apply, businesses must complete the FAST Phase 0 Grant Application, which includes providing company information, a record of past SBIR/STTR application attempts, proposed project milestones, and a brief explanation of why the company should receive the grant. Demographic questions are also included but are not part of the evaluation criteria. For additional information or questions, applicants are encouraged to contact Monica Williams via email at mswill@uga.edu. Applications can be submitted online, although specific opening and closing dates are not listed in the available materials.