TL;DR:
The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development offers up to $10,000 through its Phase 0 Program to support SBIR/STTR applicants. This program funds proposal development services for Phase I and II federal submissions and is available to District-based innovators.
Turn Your DC-Based Innovation into a Funded Federal Proposal
Entrepreneurs in Washington, DC are building real solutions, yet preparing competitive federal proposals remains a major hurdle. Federal agencies like NIH, NSF, and DoD demand polished, rigorous, and highly responsive submissions. For many early-stage companies, crafting that kind of application requires more than good intentions.
That’s why the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) created the Phase 0 Program, which provides up to $10,000 in proposal development support to qualifying businesses. If your team is based in DC and targeting federal SBIR or STTR grants, this program could be the bridge between your vision and viable funding.
A DC-based healthtech startup recently leveraged DSLBD’s $10,000 Phase 0 Program to cover expert SBIR proposal writing and budget review. The support allowed the team to submit a polished, fundable application without draining internal resources.
Get the Proposal Support You Need: Without Going It Alone
The Phase 0 Program is not just a grant, it’s a guided support system. DSLBD connects eligible businesses with dedicated resources to develop strong Phase I and II proposals, covering activities such as proposal writing, compliance checks, budget reviews, and strategic guidance.
This program is tailored to match the complexity of federal grant writing. You won’t be left sorting through agency requirements solo. Instead, DSLBD directs companies toward qualified support to improve the likelihood of funding.
Don’t Let Lack of Support Sabotage Your SBIR/STTR Application
Without proposal development resources, even the most promising ideas risk falling short of funder expectations. Poor formatting, unclear technical descriptions, or missing budget justifications can all lead to rejection. That’s the gap, and DSLBD’s Phase 0 Program fills it with the expert guidance needed to compete.
Letting this opportunity slip could mean more than missing a grant. It could delay R&D progress, diminish team morale, and stretch internal resources beyond their limits.
$10K in Directed Support Is One SBIR/STTR Application Away
DSLBD accepts applications for the Phase 0 Program on a rolling basis. The exact review timeline is not publicly disclosed, but District-based companies are encouraged to engage early. DSLBD tailors support to align with the submission windows of your target agency, offering timely and relevant feedback.
Contact Kristi Whitfield and the DSLBD team at dslbd@dc.gov for more details and to begin the eligibility process. If you’re innovating in DC and ready to go after federal funding, this program was built with your needs in mind.
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.