Startups with innovative ideas often get stuck in the SBIR pipeline before ever submitting. Strong proposals take time, resources, and expertise, and that’s exactly where Idaho’s SBDC Phase 0 Program comes in. Designed for Idaho-based small businesses preparing federal R&D proposals, this program offers a blend of reimbursement and incentive funding to move projects forward.
TL;DR
Idaho-based startups preparing SBIR/STTR proposals can receive up to $3,000 in reimbursements for proposal-related costs and up to $1,000 in additional incentive funding. Expenses must be documented. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Early-stage teams often need outside support, but lack upfront capital
Whether you’re drafting your first SBIR proposal or refining a resubmission, the road to submission often includes expert review, travel for training, or consultant support. These tasks can dramatically increase proposal quality—but for many ultra-small startups, they’re simply out of reach.
The Idaho Small Business Development Center’s Phase 0 Program is designed to fill that gap.
The Idaho SBDC offers up to $3,000 in reimbursable expenses for SBIR applicants
The Idaho SBDC Phase 0 Program provides reimbursement funding to cover costs directly related to developing and submitting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal. Eligible expenses include:
- Consultant support for writing and preparing proposals
- Travel to attend SBIR/STTR-related workshops or conferences
- Approved third-party proposal review services
Applicants can be reimbursed up to $3,000, with the option to receive an additional $1,000 incentive if total expenses are under $2,000. This structure gives founders a flexible, low-risk option for strengthening their proposals, even with limited budgets.
Support your proposal with strategic investment, without spending upfront
The incentive model is especially useful for lean startups. If your total costs are modest, you can receive up to $1,000 with no documentation required beyond proof of proposal submission. For more involved efforts, such as travel, review services, or consultant hours, you’ll need to submit receipts or invoices, but the reimbursement ensures you recover those costs.
To qualify, your business must:
- Be based in Idaho
- Conduct at least 51% of the research described in your proposal within the state
An Idaho clean-tech startup recently used the Phase 0 Program to cover consultant costs and attend an SBIR workshop, turning a rough draft into a polished Phase I submission. With reimbursed expenses and a $1,000 incentive, they were able to submit without straining their early-stage budget and are now awaiting review.
Without support, strong concepts may never make it to submission
Many startups give up on SBIR applications before submitting—not because their ideas aren’t fundable, but because they don’t have the resources to prepare a strong proposal. With a 20+ page application, technical detail, budget documentation, and strict formatting requirements, the process can feel overwhelming.
The Idaho SBDC Phase 0 Program eliminates that first hurdle, offering both funding and flexibility for small teams with big ideas.
Apply at any time and fund your path to federal submission
This is not a one-time window. The Idaho Phase 0 Program operates on a rolling basis, allowing you to apply when it aligns with your federal submission schedule. The process is managed by internal SBDC reviewers, and you can begin once your proposal work is underway.
The $3,000 reimbursement requires documentation (receipts, invoices, etc.), while the $1,000 incentive requires only confirmation that you submitted your proposal and stayed under budget.
Prepare your documentation and apply when ready
View the official program PDF to confirm eligibility and submission details. Need help aligning this opportunity with your SBIR/STTR timeline? Schedule a consult call with our team, and we’ll help you plan a strategy that maximizes your impact and funding.
EB Howard helps early-stage teams across the U.S. leverage Phase 0 funds wisely
We’ve supported dozens of startups in navigating state-supported Phase 0 programs and crafting SBIR/STTR proposals that win funding. Idaho’s flexible, incentive-driven program stands out for its accessibility and responsiveness to real startup needs.
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.