Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program

FAST Partnership Program

Supports state and regional programs increasing small business federal research proposal volumes and award rates.

The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is an annual grant administered by the Small Business Administration that funds one organization per U.S. state or territory to execute programs increasing the volume of SBIR and STTR proposals, improving award rates, and preparing SBIR/STTR awardees for commercial success. Awards are historically up to $125,000 per state per year for a one-year performance period. Only one award is made per state in each annual cycle, meaning applicants compete within their state geography rather than nationally. The program is posted as a Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov each year; the previous cycle deadline was May 27, 2025, with an FY2026 NOFO expected on an annual cadence.

Typical eligible awardees are state Small Business Development Centers, state science and technology commissions, universities running SBIR support programs, and regional economic development organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible; eligible legal structures are nonprofits, universities, and research organizations registered and operating in the United States. The awardee organization serves as an intermediary: FAST funds the state-level ESO, which then uses the award to help small businesses identify relevant SBIR/STTR solicitations, prepare competitive proposals, and navigate federal commercialization requirements.

Winning a FAST award requires demonstrating a credible plan for measurable SBIR/STTR pipeline growth within the state, a track record of supporting innovation-driven small businesses, and organizational capacity to execute statewide outreach. The program contact is Brittany Sickler at FAST@sba.gov, (202) 710-5163. Organizations in states that already have FAST awardees should check with SBA before applying, since the single-award-per-state rule means an incumbent can be displaced only if they apply and a new applicant outcompetes them in the same cycle.