TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program (Phases 0 and 1), a new initiative to help Kansas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers compete and win in the national innovation arena. The program will enable Kansas to leverage federal funding and research and development opportunities more effectively through strategic partnerships that help companies enhance their global competitiveness while strengthening the state’s role in advancing national security.
“As called for in the Kansas Framework for Growth, this program will allow strategic investments in our state’s innovation economy and our talented innovators,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By supporting high-quality proposals and helping Kansas companies commercialize their technologies, we are strengthening our state’s competitive edge and attracting impactful federal funding to support innovation, research and technology development.”
The program brings together a consortium of support partners – Kansas Office of Innovation, Kansas FAST Program, Kansas Small Business Administration, Kansas Small Business Development Center, Kansas EPSCOR, Network Kansas, KU Innovation Park, Kansas State University, and others – to provide early-stage funding, wrap-around technical assistance, and commercialization support as Kansas-based applicants pursue federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Through the proposal development assistance (Phase 0) and state matching funds for awarded projects (Phase 1), the ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program will help deliver Kansas’ fair share of federal research and development funding.
The highlights of the program include:
- Funding Available: $250,000
- Award Amounts for Phase 0: Up to $3,000 per award with a required 50% match
- Award Amounts for Phase 1: Up to $25,000 (must include proof of federal award)
- Eligible Applicants: Kansas-based for-profit small businesses that meet all federal SBIR/STTR requirements and conduct at least 51% of Phase 1 research in Kansas
By supporting both early-stage proposal development and successful awardees, the program aims to increase the number, quality and success rate of SBIR and STTR proposals from Kansas and fuel economic growth statewide.
“This program is the direct result of the hard work and advocacy of our growing innovation ecosystem,” Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said. “Through the ACCEL-KS – Kansas SBIR/STTR Matching Program, the Office of Innovation is doubling down on its commitment to support Kansas innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers – helping them accelerate the journey from idea to commercialization and bring groundbreaking solutions born right here in Kansas to market.”
Applications opened today, October 31, and will close Friday, November 28.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to join any or all of the information sessions to learn more about the application process and the network of support available to them. Information sessions will take place:
- Virtual, 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, register here
- In-person, 11:00 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Groover Labs, 334 N. Saint Francis Ave., Wichita
- In-person, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Innovate 24, 1880 Kimball Ave., Ste 120, Manhattan
- In-person, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, KU Innovation Park, 2029 Becker Dr., Lawrence
- Virtual, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, register here
For more details, application information or questions about the program, visit the website here or contact Brandon Hutton here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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