Small businesses across Mississippi have the ideas—but they often lack early-stage support to turn those ideas into competitive federal proposals. The MS-FAST Phase 0 Program, managed by Innovate Mississippi, is changing that by offering targeted funding to level the playing field and boost participation in SBIR/STTR programs.
TL;DR
Mississippi-based small businesses can receive up to $3,000 in reimbursable Phase 0 funding from Innovate Mississippi to support SBIR/STTR proposal development. Funds may be used for preliminary research, proposal writing, and travel. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted at least 30 days before the federal deadline.
Federal proposal prep is costly—and underrepresented founders face steeper hurdles
Creating a strong SBIR or STTR proposal requires more than scientific merit. Applicants must also demonstrate technical feasibility, market insight, and strategic clarity—all of which take time and resources to develop. For many founders, especially those in rural states or from underrepresented groups, the financial barrier to submit a competitive proposal is real.
Innovate Mississippi’s MS-FAST Phase 0 Program offers a tactical solution.
Mississippi founders can receive up to $3,000 in support for SBIR submissions
The MS-FAST Phase 0 Program provides up to $3,000 in targeted reimbursements to Mississippi small businesses preparing SBIR or STTR proposals. This includes:
- $1,500 for research that generates preliminary data
- $1,500 for proposal writing support or consulting
- $1,000 in travel grants related to proposal development or partnering opportunities
The program is specifically designed to increase participation among women, socially/economically disadvantaged individuals, and businesses in rural or underrepresented areas. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be submitted at least 30 days before your target SBIR deadline.
Build a competitive proposal while strengthening your long-term strategy
By breaking down the costs associated with proposal development, the MS-FAST program helps startups build better submissions—without compromising their financial runway. Whether you’re gathering pilot data, hiring a consultant, or attending an SBIR conference, this support gives you the room to develop a proposal that stands out.
This program is ideal for startups in the planning or concepting stage, particularly those targeting their first Phase I submission.
Without early support, even great ideas get left behind
Missing the chance to secure financial support for proposal development can lead to missed deadlines, lower-quality submissions, or delayed growth. Without the right data or expert review, many proposals fail—not because of the idea, but because of how it’s presented. That’s the gap MS-FAST Phase 0 funding is designed to close.
Tap into MS-FAST Phase 0 support to prepare your strongest proposal yet
If your startup is based in Mississippi and actively pursuing SBIR or STTR funding, this opportunity could give your proposal the lift it needs. The funding is flexible, accessible, and designed to reflect the real-world costs of getting to submission. There are no match requirements, and the review process is managed by Innovate Mississippi staff.
Start planning early: applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your federal deadline to be considered.
A Jackson-based health tech startup recently tapped into the MS-FAST Phase 0 Program to cover proposal writing and travel expenses for its first SBIR application. With $3,000 in reimbursed costs, the team produced a polished, data-backed submission without straining its limited early-stage budget.
Explore your eligibility or prepare to apply
Review the MS-FAST Phase 0 details or start your request via the official funding request form. If you’re unsure how this fits into your overall SBIR strategy, schedule a consult call with us to create a clear action plan.
EB Howard supports underrepresented founders every step of the way
We’ve worked with hundreds of companies across the country to identify, pursue, and secure early-stage non-dilutive funding. From women-led startups to rural innovators, we understand the unique needs of founders navigating the SBIR pipeline. MS-FAST Phase 0 is one of the most founder-friendly programs available for early-stage development in Mississippi.
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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.