TL;DR:
Montgomery County’s Phase 0 Matching Grant Program offers up to $5,000 in reimbursement for technical assistance to early-stage life sciences businesses preparing their first SBIR/STTR application. This local program supports commercialization readiness through expert proposal development assistance.
Federal Funding Is Within Reach: Montgomery County Gives You the Tools to Compete
Federal SBIR and STTR awards offer vital early-stage, non-dilutive capital for R&D startups, but applying without expert guidance often leads to missed opportunities. To strengthen local biotech innovation, Montgomery County’s Business Center launched the SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program – Phase 0, with a clear mission: support first-time applicants in preparing stronger, more competitive proposals.
Eligible Montgomery County businesses can receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement for costs associated with technical assistance, such as proposal writing, feasibility data analysis, and commercialization strategy development.
Tailored for Biotech and Life Sciences—With Startup Realities in Mind
This program isn’t for everyone. It’s intentionally targeted to young biotech, medicine, and life sciences companies with high growth potential. To qualify, companies must:
- Be headquartered in Montgomery County, Maryland
- Have 20 or fewer employees
- Be in operation for five years or less
- Be pre-award—no previous SBIR/STTR grants
- Be actively pursuing a federal SBIR or STTR Phase I proposal
By focusing on early-stage innovators, the County is ensuring resources go to startups that are just getting their footing in the federal funding landscape.
A Rockville-based biotech startup recently tapped into Montgomery County’s Phase 0 Matching Grant to reimburse $5,000 in consulting and proposal development costs for its first SBIR application. With expert support on technical aims and commercialization planning, the team submitted a polished, competitive proposal that positioned it for future federal funding.
Proposal Prep Mistakes Are Expensive: This Grant Closes the Gap
First-time SBIR/STTR proposals often fail due to avoidable issues: vague technical aims, missing commercialization plans, or failure to follow agency-specific formats. That’s the gap, and this grant was created to close it.
By offering funding for expert guidance, the program helps Montgomery County businesses avoid critical errors and strengthen their overall funding trajectory.
Rolling Applications, Quick Decisions, Strategic Timing
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with award decisions typically made within 30–60 days. The program operates annually, so early planning is key to ensure eligibility and alignment with agency deadlines.
For more information, contact Derese Bikila, Program Manager (Derese.Bikila@montgomerycountymd.gov) or visit the program website to begin your application.
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.