TL;DR:
The One North Carolina Small Business Program offers up to $12,000 in reimbursement for expenses related to developing and submitting a Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal. This program is open to eligible NC-based businesses and aims to boost application quality, diversity, and geographic reach. Applications for the current round are due June 30, 2026.
Federal Proposals Are Costly: North Carolina Is Investing in Your Readiness
Winning SBIR or STTR funding isn’t just about the science. Strong federal proposals require careful planning, expert writing, budget justification, and technical precision. That can be a tall order for North Carolina entrepreneurs, especially when operating on limited startup capital.
That’s why the North Carolina Department of Commerce, through its Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, offers the One North Carolina Small Business Program – Phase I Incentive Funds. With up to $12,000 in reimbursement available, this program is one of the most generous Phase 0-style funding mechanisms in the country.
Reimbursement That Covers the True Cost of Proposal Development
Eligible small businesses can be reimbursed for a percentage of direct proposal preparation expenses incurred while applying for a Phase I SBIR or STTR award. This includes consulting, technical writing, market research, and travel directly tied to the application process.
The program supports the full ecosystem, encouraging geographic diversity, company diversity, and technological variety across the SBIR applicant pool. It’s an intentional strategy to elevate all corners of the innovation community within the state.
A Durham-based health tech startup recently leveraged the One North Carolina Small Business Program to secure $12,000 in reimbursement for SBIR proposal development costs. This funding allowed the team to hire expert consultants, refine its technical narrative, and submit a polished Phase I application without straining its cash flow.
The Cost of Going It Alone Is High. This Program Closes the Gap
Many strong concepts never get funded due to weak proposals. Without access to capital for expert guidance, even high-potential startups struggle to frame their story for federal reviewers. That’s the gap, and the One NC Incentive Fund is designed to close it.
This isn’t a typical early-stage grant; it’s a reimbursement of your out-of-pocket costs. That means you can invest in high-quality proposal development knowing support is on the other side of submission.
Apply Now! Next Deadline Is June 30, 2026
Applications are open now and due by June 30, 2026, through the program’s online platform. Awards are made annually and reviewed through a single-stage internal process. Only companies submitting Phase I proposals are eligible, and awards are based on documented costs.
Reach out to Chris Schmidt, Grants Manager (chris.schmidt@commerce.nc.gov | 919-814-4668) to learn more or confirm your eligibility.
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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.