Federal Funding Application Support (TAP)

Federal Funding Application Support (TAP)

Provides free expert coaching for Maine small businesses applying to federal research funding programs.

The Federal Funding Application Support program — informally known as TAP (Technical Assistance Program) — is a free, expert advisory service administered by the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) to help Maine small businesses successfully compete for SBIR, STTR, and other federal R&D funding. MTI is a publicly funded Maine nonprofit created by the state legislature to advance technology-based economic development across all 16 Maine counties. TAP does not provide a cash award; instead, it delivers direct technical assistance in the form of strategy consultations, identification of appropriate federal solicitations, proposal development guidance, and proposal review services — at no cost to the applicant.

Eligibility is limited to Maine small businesses. The program is available statewide across all 16 counties and is sector-agnostic, meaning applicants from any industry are considered. Participation begins with an initial assessment that MTI uses to determine candidate suitability before committing staff time to the engagement. Because the program is tied to federal agency solicitation calendars, TAP operates on a rolling basis with no fixed internal deadlines; the effective deadlines are those of the federal SBIR or STTR solicitations the applicant is pursuing.

Organizations that would benefit most from TAP are Maine small businesses that have a commercializable technology concept but lack prior SBIR or STTR proposal experience, or those that have submitted unsuccessfully and want expert review before resubmission. Because MTI staff provide the guidance rather than external consultants, the service is at no cost and does not require a match. Applicants should initiate contact early — ideally six to eight weeks before a target federal deadline — to allow adequate time for solicitation identification, proposal drafting, and review cycles. MTI's office can be reached at (207) 582-4790.