Preparing to submit a federal SBIR or STTR proposal isn’t easy—especially for early-stage businesses. Even when the concept is strong, converting it into a compelling, agency-ready application often requires support. That’s where the FOSTER Microgrant comes in, a program led by UNHInnovation to directly support New Hampshire’s startup ecosystem.
TL;DR
The FOSTER Microgrant provides $5,000 in targeted funding to New Hampshire startups that have strong SBIR/STTR concepts and need direct proposal development support. Participation in FOSTER pre-proposal training and submission of a business plan or pitch deck is required. Awards are competitive and rolling.
Even strong SBIR ideas can fall short without expert proposal support
For many entrepreneurs, the gap between having a viable innovation and securing federal non-dilutive funding lies in the proposal itself. SBIR/STTR submissions must reflect technical sophistication, commercial viability, and a compelling narrative—all of which take time and experience to craft.
Startups often lack in-house grant writing capacity or cannot afford outside consultants, leaving fundable ideas stuck at the concept stage.
FOSTER Microgrants offer $5K to help finalize strong proposals
As part of the FOcused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Equity, and Results (FOSTER) initiative, UNHInnovation administers a competitive microgrant program offering up to $5,000 to New Hampshire-based businesses developing SBIR proposals.
The microgrant is reserved for companies with strong concepts that are ready to move into proposal development. Unlike broader startup support programs, FOSTER Microgrants are intentionally focused on execution. They help founders pay for services related to:
- Grant writing and editing
- Technical assistance for proposal formatting
- Final review and compliance alignment
To be eligible, applicants must first complete FOSTER’s pre-proposal training and submit a business plan or pitch deck.
Move your idea forward without delaying submission or diluting equity
This microgrant fills a crucial gap for founders who’ve done the early work—defined their innovation, identified an agency fit, and built their commercialization narrative—but need final-phase proposal support. Rather than delay submission or bootstrap the last mile, FOSTER allows teams to move forward strategically and sustainably.
Because awards are reviewed internally and offered on a rolling basis, the program aligns with startup timelines, rather than forcing teams to wait for rigid funding cycles.
A Portsmouth-based medtech startup recently completed FOSTER’s pre-proposal training and secured the $5,000 microgrant to finalize its first SBIR submission. The funding covered expert grant writing and compliance review, helping the team submit a polished, competitive application on time.
Without funding, strong concepts may never become submitted proposals
Innovators without grant writing experience or budget often hit a wall. They know their idea fits an SBIR agency’s goals. They’ve done the background research. But they can’t afford the proposal writing expertise needed to cross the finish line. That’s where so many promising concepts stall—and why the FOSTER Microgrant matters.
UNHInnovation offers targeted, time-sensitive funding and support
This is not a general startup grant. It is a focused funding opportunity for proposal-ready companies—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. FOSTER pairs funding with technical assistance and training, ensuring founders not only apply, but apply competitively.
To qualify, businesses must:
- Be located in New Hampshire
- Be developing an SBIR/STTR proposal
- Participate in FOSTER training
- Submit a business plan and/or pitch deck
Ready to turn your SBIR concept into a competitive application?
Visit UNHInnovation’s FOSTER page to review full program details and begin your training process. If you’re navigating the SBIR/STTR landscape and need guidance, schedule a consult call with us to align your timeline with available resources.
EB Howard specializes in moving startups from concept to award
We’ve worked with hundreds of teams nationwide to secure millions in non-dilutive federal funding. We understand the final hurdles that block strong SBIR proposals—and how to overcome them. Programs like FOSTER reflect a growing recognition of this gap, and we’re here to ensure founders get what they need to compete.
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.