Georgia FAST Grant

The Georgia FAST Grant, administered with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is designed to bolster Georgia-based small businesses aiming to secure Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. This initiative falls under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Grant Program, which aims to improve both the quantity and quality of SBIR/STTR proposals originating from the state. The grant facilitates early-stage funding support for technology-driven startups by providing a Phase 0 grant of up to $2,450. This funding assists eligible applicants in hiring grant writing consultants, improving the competitiveness of their federal SBIR or STTR proposals. The program specifically targets companies with strong potential for research commercialization and job creation within Georgia. Applicants often have affiliations with Georgia’s academic institutions, including Emory University, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and others within the University System of Georgia. These partnerships strengthen the innovation pipeline and provide additional resources for emerging ventures. While the FAST program supports businesses of varying stages, emphasis is placed on those that have previously secured Proof of Concept funding from sources such as the Georgia Research Alliance, UGA KickStart, or NSF I-Corps. Eligibility requires businesses to be for-profit, Georgia-based, and working to bring a novel technology to market. Companies must also meet standard SBIR/STTR eligibility requirements, such as being majority U.S.-owned and having fewer than 500 employees. Geographic eligibility is limited to businesses incorporated or headquartered in Georgia with potential for in-state job growth. At this time, the application period is closed, with updates expected in the near future. No specific application components or evaluation criteria have been disclosed. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor program communications for the upcoming cycle and can reach out to Monica Williams via email or by phone with any questions. The program typically includes periodic application windows aligned with federal grant cycles and operates on an annually recurring basis.