TL;DR:
The MS-FAST Phase 0 Program offers $3,000 in early-stage funding to Mississippi-based businesses preparing SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals. Awards include support for acquiring preliminary data and hiring professional assistance to prepare a competitive federal submission.
Mississippi Innovators Get a Head Start on Federal Grants
Federal SBIR and STTR programs unlock transformative R&D funding, but navigating the proposal process, especially for first-time applicants, can be overwhelming. That’s where the MS-FAST Phase 0 Program steps in.
Designed to mirror the structure and rigor of a federal Phase I solicitation, the program provides $3,000 in total funding: $2,500 for preliminary research and $1,500 for proposal preparation. This Phase 0 program is Mississippi’s strategic investment in its innovation pipeline, equipping local businesses with the skills, resources, and confidence to go after federal capital.
Boost Your Proposal Quality Without Burning Your Budget
Applicants benefit not just from the financial award but from what it enables: strong, data-backed proposals that stand up to federal scrutiny. Whether you’re collecting key pilot data or refining your application with expert grant writing support, MS-FAST gives you the leverage you need.
That balance of technical readiness and storytelling polish is critical. Funders like NSF, DoD, and NIH want to see feasibility and clarity. This program lets you present both, without diverting operational capital or staff time.
Skipping Proposal Prep Support Could Stall Your Entire Timeline
Missing this opportunity means more than losing out on $3,000. It can mean months of delay, resubmissions, and reallocation of internal resources. Many SBIR/STTR applicants fail not because of bad ideas but because of weak execution—unclear aims, incomplete data, or misaligned budgets.
That’s the gap the MS-FAST Phase 0 Program was built to close. Without it, promising Mississippi-based innovations risk never reaching the federal stage.
A Quick, Rolling Application Process Makes It Easy to Start
The MS-FAST application is reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made within 90 days. Awards are offered annually, but there is no set deadline, making it an ideal tool for companies aligning their submission with specific federal agency timelines.
Interested businesses should contact Joseph Graben (joseph.graben@usm.edu | 228-688-2280) to confirm eligibility and begin the process. If you’re aiming for Phase I funding, there’s no reason to go it alone—or unfunded. Learn more – https://www.otm.msstate.edu/sites/www.otm.msstate.edu/files/MS-FAST_Program.pdf
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.