Innovation Partnership – IPart
Kelly S. Wylam
Program Manager
Innovation Partnership
(717) 948-4318
inquiry@innovationpartnership.net
Purpose of Initiative
IPart is a consortium of economic development and business assistance organizations throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Under the umbrella of IPart, these partners comprise a single SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance program for the state. Funding opportunities are available through a number of IPart sub-programs, including the MicroGrant Program, MicroVoucher Program, and Travel & Training Assistance Program.
MicroGrant Program Guidelines
IPart offers financial assistance to technology-driven companies in Pennsylvania that are preparing SBIR and STTR grant proposals for submission to federal agencies. MicroGrants are awarded to applicants whose proposal concepts are deemed to have strong potential for competing successfully in federal competition. These candidates may be awarded a MicroGrant of up to $2,000 to defray part of the cost incurred in preparing the proposal. IPart is particularly interested in businesses focusing on clean energy (and energy, in general), bioscience and life sciences, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and communications technology. To be eligible for this program, companies must be located in Pennsylvania; the manufacture or production of commercial products resulting from the proposal should be planned to primarily take place within the state; applicants must meet the requirements set forth in the applicable federal agency solicitation; and applicants who accept this financial assistance must provide an equivalent investment—either in the form of cash or in-kind contribution. Applicants must submit their requests for assistance at least four weeks in advance of the federal agency’s solicitation due date. More information about this program is available through the following website.
MicroVoucher Program Guidelines
Companies that are awarded a MicroVoucher from IPart can receive financial assistance covering one-half of the cost incurred in preparing the proposal, up to a maximum of $3,000. Funding enables companies to engage with a preferred provider to assist in the preparation of their proposal. The eligibility requirements are the same as those outlined for the MicroGrant Program (see above). Applicants must submit their requests for assistance at least four weeks in advance of the federal agency’s solicitation due date. More information about this program is available through the following website.
Travel & Training Assistance Program
Companies may be awarded a Travel & Training award that reimburses one-half of the cost incurred in traveling and training expenses directly related to their SBIR or STTR endeavors, up to a maximum of $1,000. Applicants must be located in Pennsylvania and the subsequent primary manufacture or production of commercial products resulting from the proposal must also be planned to take place within the state. Applicants must have worked with an IPart Member Organization and have completed/received a Pre-Proposal Application Program (PPAP) Review. Applicants who accept this assistance with travel and training are required to provide an equivalent investment, either in the form of cash or in-kind contribution. This program does not cover non-domestic travel and related expenses. Travel and training-related expenditures may be incurred six months in advance of the federal agency’s solicitation due date or six months after. More information about this program is available through the following website.
Updated by Rachel Werth in April 2018