TL;DR:
The Missouri SBDC offers a Phase 0 FAST Grant providing up to $2,500 for expert SBIR grant writing support. If you’re a Missouri-based small business aiming to apply for federal SBIR funding, this is an accessible resource to improve your chances.
SBIR Success Starts with a Strong Proposal: Missouri FAST Wants to Help
Small business innovation thrives on bold ideas, but turning those ideas into funded proposals requires expertise, time, and technical precision. Missouri’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recognizes that challenge and now offers a Phase 0 FAST Grant to support entrepreneurs aiming for federal SBIR awards.
With up to $2,500 in financial support, this grant covers the cost of professional grant writing services. That means Missouri companies can pursue SBIR funding with stronger narratives, better budget structures, and increased reviewer alignment, without straining internal capacity.
Don’t Navigate Federal Grants Alone: Apply with Confidence
This Phase 0 grant is designed for companies preparing their SBIR Phase I proposals. Funds can be used to access skilled grant writers who understand agency priorities and can translate complex research into clear, compelling content.
Whether you’re applying to the NIH, DoD, or NSF, this support ensures your submission is polished and fully responsive. The grant empowers early-stage innovators to compete nationally, even without prior federal funding experience.
A St. Louis-based medtech startup recently used Missouri’s $2,500 FAST Grant to hire a professional SBIR grant writer for its first NIH proposal. The expert support helped the team clarify its technical aims, align with agency criteria, and submit a polished, fundable application.
Poorly Structured Proposals Create Avoidable Barriers
When applications fall short, it’s often not the science, it’s the structure. The gap between an unfunded proposal and a funded one often lies in weak storytelling, vague technical aims, or noncompliant formatting.
Without support, these issues are hard to spot and fix in time. That’s why the Missouri SBDC created this FAST Grant: to remove those avoidable barriers and reduce the risk of preventable rejection.
Apply Anytime and Work Directly With Local FAST Support
Applications for the Phase 0 FAST Grant are accepted on a rolling basis, giving Missouri startups the flexibility to align this funding with their SBIR timelines. With a straightforward process and hands-on support, this is a practical opportunity for small companies to move forward with clarity and purpose.
Interested companies should reach out to Ed Lahue, Innovation & Technology Counselor (elahue@missouri.edu) for details and to initiate the application process.
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.