TL;DR:
South Dakota’s SBIR/STTR Phase 0 Program offers up to $5,000 to help local businesses conduct research and prepare more competitive Phase I proposals. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Federal Funding is Within Reach, South Dakota Helps You Compete
Writing a successful SBIR or STTR proposal isn’t just about your innovation. It’s about meeting strict criteria, aligning with agency missions, and articulating your concept with clarity and strategy. Recognizing this challenge, the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development offers a Phase 0 SBIR/STTR Program to support early-stage applicants.
The $5,000 award is designed to fund preliminary research and proposal development activities tied to a federal Phase I application. For South Dakota-based small businesses, this program can elevate your grant readiness and improve your likelihood of success in a highly competitive field.
Move From Concept to Proposal With Targeted Support
This funding can be used to generate early technical data, refine project aims, or support proposal writing services. It’s not just about checking boxes, it’s about building a submission that resonates with reviewers and demonstrates feasibility, market potential, and scientific merit.
By investing early in the process, South Dakota startups can remove common barriers that often lead to early rejections.
A Sioux Falls agtech startup recently secured South Dakota’s $5,000 Phase 0 award to fund early feasibility testing and professional SBIR proposal writing. This support allowed the team to submit a clear, competitive Phase I application without overextending its limited startup budget.
Without Early-Stage Funding, You Risk Falling Behind
Federal agencies don’t provide leniency for vague or underdeveloped proposals. The gap lies in preparation, often the deciding factor between approval and denial. Too many promising projects never make it past the initial review because the proposal lacked clarity, focus, or technical depth.
This Phase 0 program is built to close that gap. It ensures you have the time and resources to do the prep work, data gathering, and agency engagement necessary to compete.
Rolling Applications Keep the Process Simple
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and while awards are made annually, the open application structure gives startups flexibility. Whether you’re preparing a submission for NSF, DoD, or USDA, you can time your request to align with your broader grant planning.
Reach out to Ann Gesick Johnson (Ann.gesick-johnson@sdreadytowork.com) for guidance or download the application form to get started.
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.