Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Fund (IRISBF) Phase 0 Grant
Ms. Kaleena Harrington
Rhode Island Science & Technology Council
315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 278-9122
kaleena.harrington@commerceri.com
Purpose of Initiative
The IRISBF provides grants to assist small businesses in offsetting the costs related to preparing a competitive Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal.
Eligibility
To be eligible, a business must satisfy the following stipulations: (1) is a for-profit Rhode Island-based business with 50 or fewer employees; and, (2) has submitted a qualified SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal to a participating federal agency in response to a specific federal solicitation. For applicant eligibility: (1) one must satisfy all federal SBIR/STTR requirements; (2) be certified that at least 51% of the research described in the SBIR/STTR proposal is conducted in Rhode Island and that the business will remain based in Rhode Island for the duration of the Phase I project; (3) demonstrated Freedom to Operate; and, (4) pledges not to have received and will not seek concurrent funding support from other sources that duplicate the purpose of the matching grant.
Application Process
Applications should be submitted through the online response submission tool below. You must have a STAC Profile to submit grant applications through the online submission tool. Responses are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Responses are due by June 30, 2018. Guidelines for submission can be accessed here.
Award Details
Applicants may receive a grant as reimbursement for up to 50% of eligible direct costs up to a maximum of $3000.00 associated with preparing and submitting a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant application.
Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Fund (IRISBF) SBIR/STTR Phase II Matching Grants
Ms. Kaleena Harrington
Rhode Island Science & Technology Council
315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 278-9122
kaleena.harrington@commerceri.com
Purpose of Initiative
The IRISBF provides matching grants to assist recipients of SBIR/STTR Phase II awards to commercialize their innovations.
Eligibility
To be eligible, a business must satisfy the following stipulations: (1) is a for-profit Rhode Island-based business with 50 or fewer employees; and, (2) has received an SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II award credited to Rhode Island from a participating federal agency.
Application Process
Eligible Rhode Island companies that have received an SBIR/STTR Phase II award contract by March 12, 2018 are invited to apply. Applications should be submitted through the online response submission tool below. You must have a STAC Profile to submit grant applications through the online submission tool. If the amount of the funding requested exceeds the amount of funding available a lottery will be conducted. Responses are due by March 23, 2018. Guidelines for submission can be accessed here.
Award Details
Phase II awards assist entrepreneurs to continue efforts initiated in Phase I. The IRISBF provides matching grants of up to $100,000 to assist recipients of SBIR/STTR Phase II awards to commercialize their innovations.
Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Fund (IRISBF) Internship Grants
Ms. Kaleena Harrington
Rhode Island Science & Technology Council
315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 278-9122
kaleena.harrington@commerceri.com
Purpose of Initiative
The IRISBF provides grants to assist small businesses in the life sciences and engineering sectors to defray costs of providing student internships and mentoring to eligible Rhode Island residents attending a college or university in Rhode Island. This is a critical workforce development tool.
Eligibility
To be eligible, a business must satisfy the following stipulations: (1) is a for-profit Rhode Island-based business with 50 or fewer employees; and, (2) is mainly engaged in a biosciences or engineering field and can demonstrate its ability to conduct research in these fields. For intern eligibility, one must be: (1) a Rhode Island resident attending a Rhode Island college or university; (2) enrolled in a community college, and enrolled in an Associate’s degree or Certificate program or completed one within the past year; (3) enrolled in a four year college or university, and completed at least sophomore year the semester before the internship, completed or be in their sophomore year of a biotechnology program, or have graduated; and, (4) a graduate student enrolled in a graduate program or completed one within the last year.
Application Process
Applications should be submitted through the online response submission tool below. You must have a STAC Profile to submit grant applications through the online submission tool. Responses are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Responses are due by June 30, 2018. Guidelines for submission can be accessed online.
Award Details
Applicants may receive grants up to $3,000.
Rhode Island Business Plan Competition
Rhode Island Business Plan Competition
c/o Business Development Company
40 Westminster Street
Suite 702
Providence, RI 02903
info@ri-bizplan.com
Purpose of Initiative
The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition is an annual competition sponsored by businesses, professional services firms, investors, banks, nonprofits, foundations, colleges, universities, and government agencies. The competition seeks to promote entrepreneurship and the development of start-up and early-stage companies in Rhode Island.
Eligibility
As part of this competition, there is an Entrepreneur Track and a Student Track. The Entrepreneur Track is open to anyone age 18 or older who is not a full-time student and is either a current or aspiring entrepreneur. The Student Track is open to full-time undergraduate or graduate students (18 or older) enrolled in an accredited college or university. A MedTech award is open to anyone, 18 or older, who is developing a medical technology business.
Application Process
To apply for the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition, please refer to the following URL. Applications are due by April 2, 2018.
Award Details
Prizes consisting of cash and in-kind services will be awarded to all finalists and winners. For the Entrepreneur Track, the winner will receive $15,000 in cash and $40,850 in in-kind services. Two finalists will receive $5,000 in cash and $10,150 in in-kind services. For the Student Track, one winner will receive $15,000 in cash and $40,850 in in-kind services. Two finalists will each receive $5,000 in cash and $10,150 in in-kind services. The winner of the MedTech Award will receive $15,000 in cash and $52,400 in in-kind services. In addition, a $25,000 cash bonus will be awarded to the top competitor.
Innovation Voucher Program
Ms. Christine Smith
Managing Director of Innovation Programs
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
315 Iron Horse Way
Suite 101
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 278-9100
christine.smith@commerceri.com
Purpose of Initiative
The Innovation Voucher Program enables small businesses in Rhode Island to receive grants of up to $50,000 to fund R&D assistance from a Rhode Island university, research center, or medical center.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for this program, the applicant must be a small business registered to do business within the state of Rhode Island. In addition, funded projects must be conducted in Rhode Island in partnership with a Rhode Island knowledge provider or at the recipient’s manufacturing facility.
Application Process
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To download an application for this program, please refer to the following URL.
Award Details
An applicant can receive a voucher of $5,000-$50,000 to pay or defray the cost of any of the following activities or services: Access to research or scientific expertise, including preparatory work for R&D; technological development or technology exploration; product, service, or market development or commercialization, including prototyping, testing, or validation trials for new or enhanced products or services; or improved business practices that implement strategies to grow business and create operational efficiencies.
Updated April 2018 by Rachel Werth
