TL;DR:
The Montana Innovation Partnership (MTIP) offers FAST Microgrants of up to $2,000 to support eligible SBIR/STTR applicants with proposal preparation, travel, data collection, and consulting. Only six awards are given per year, so planning ahead is key.
Need Funding to Prepare for SBIR/STTR? Montana’s FAST Microgrants Are for You
SBIR and STTR programs offer non-dilutive capital to fund breakthrough innovation, but applying requires time, resources, and expert strategy. That’s where the Montana Innovation Partnership (MTIP) steps in with its FAST Microgrant Program.
This initiative awards up to $2,000 per year to Montana-based small businesses actively preparing SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II proposals. The funds are designed to remove early-stage financial barriers that often stall promising applications, and to give you a stronger shot at securing federal dollars.
Get Strategic Support for the Activities That Matter Most
Unlike traditional grants focused solely on writing support, MTIP’s FAST Microgrants offer flexibility. Funds can be used to cover:
- Travel to meet with federal agencies or commercialization partners
- Attendance at SBIR-related conferences or workshops
- Consulting services from approved vendors for proposal development
- Collection and analysis of project-specific data
- Additional pre-award activities tied directly to proposal quality
By targeting both logistics and substance, this microgrant ensures that Montana innovators aren’t left behind due to financial limitations.
A Bozeman-based agtech startup recently secured a $2,000 Montana FAST Microgrant to cover data collection and consultant support for its first SBIR Phase I proposal. This early funding allowed the team to strengthen its technical narrative and submit a competitive application without delaying development work.
Don’t Let Small Costs Create a Big Gap in Your Proposal Readiness
Even highly innovative concepts get rejected when the proposal lacks preparation, alignment, or essential data. That’s the gap, and MTIP’s FAST Microgrants are designed to close it.
With only six grants awarded annually, this program fills a unique space for startups with early ideas and high ambitions but limited capacity to fund proposal prep activities. If you’re new to SBIR/STTR, or you’ve had fewer than five Phase I awards in the last ten years, this opportunity is tailored for you.
Rolling Applications, But Only a Few Awards Available Each Year
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but the cap of six awards per year makes timing critical. Startups in the concepting or pre-seed phase should plan well in advance of federal deadlines to secure funds and optimize their proposals.
To apply or confirm eligibility, contact Ann Peterson, Program Director (techlinksbir@montana.edu | 406-994-7788) or visit the MTIP FAST Microgrant program page.