Matching Grant
Matching Grant supports Rhode Island small businesses with federal SBIR/STTR awards, funding early product development and commercialization to help them pursue Phase II awards and bring innovations to market.
Funder: Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council
Due Dates: September 23, 2026 (Phase I & Phase II) | April 27, 2027 (Phase I & Phase II)
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000 for Phase I; up to $150,000 for Phase II
Summary: State matching grants support Rhode Island SBIR/STTR award recipients through early product development and commercialization.
Key Information: Applicants must have a corresponding federal SBIR/STTR award; Phase I applicants must still be active in Phase I.
Description
The Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) offers Matching Grants through the Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Fund (IRISBF). These grants complement federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards for Rhode Island small businesses. Phase I matching funds help recipients pursue more substantial Phase II awards, while Phase II matching funds help recipients commercialize their innovations.
Established by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2013, IRISBF supports job creation, small business development, and the workforce pipeline. Its goals include increasing federal research dollars received by Rhode Island firms, sustaining companies through early product development, and encouraging high-potential, high-quality, high-growth ventures. The broader fund also aims to enhance the talent pipeline in life sciences and engineering.
