TL;DR:
Wisconsin’s Center for Technology Commercialization offers a $4,500 micro-grant to reimburse costs for third-party support in developing Phase I SBIR/STTR proposals. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Wisconsin Wants Your Innovation to Compete Nationally
Federal SBIR and STTR programs unlock non-dilutive capital for startups tackling high-impact challenges—but proposal development can be expensive. That’s why the Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) launched the SBIR/STTR Assistance Micro-Grant Program. This state-supported resource helps Wisconsin entrepreneurs offset the costs of crafting competitive federal proposals.
The micro-grant reimburses up to $4,500 for approved third-party support, including professional grant writing, budget development, and proposal reviews. For early-stage businesses ready to move from concept to submission, this program delivers focused funding where it counts.
Funding That Goes Directly Toward Getting Funded
Unlike general innovation grants, this micro-grant can only be used for direct proposal development expenses. Companies must hire an independent, pre-approved third-party to assist with their SBIR/STTR Phase I submission. That ensures quality control while giving applicants access to professionals who understand the intricacies of federal grant standards.
Whether it’s refining your Specific Aims page or polishing your commercialization strategy, this grant can help elevate your submission to stand out in review.
A Madison-based health tech startup recently used Wisconsin’s SBIR/STTR Assistance Micro-Grant to secure $4,500 in professional grant writing and proposal review support. This funding allowed the team to submit a polished, competitive Phase I SBIR application without overextending its early operating budget.
Don’t Let Proposal Costs Be the Barrier to Entry
Many entrepreneurs underestimate the investment required to build a successful SBIR/STTR proposal. That’s where the gap appears: promising R&D efforts stall not because of lack of merit, but because of unpolished or misaligned applications.
Wisconsin’s micro-grant fills that gap with precision. It reduces financial strain while increasing the probability of funding, giving your startup the support it needs to secure national-level capital.
Apply Anytime, Get Support When You Need It
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Though the program is offered annually, the open application structure gives founders the flexibility to request support when their submission timeline demands it.
Contact the CTC team at CTC@lists.wisconsin.edu or 608-263-3315 to confirm your eligibility, connect with approved providers, and begin the application process. Learn more at the official program page.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
We assist our clients in locating, applying for, and evaluating the outcomes of non-dilutive grant funding. We believe non-dilutive funding is a crucial tool for mitigating investment risks, and we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the entire process—from identifying the most suitable opportunities to submitting and managing grant applications.