Founders in Tarrant County, Texas, are building innovative solutions—but preparing to apply for SBIR or STTR funding can be overwhelming. From technical planning to agency alignment, proposal development is a critical and complex step. The SBIR Phase 0 Program from HSC Next offers targeted support to help startups cross that threshold and compete for federal funding with confidence.
TL;DR
Tarrant County-based small businesses can access proposal development support through HSC Next’s SBIR Phase 0 Program. This initiative helps early-stage companies with strong R&D potential prepare and submit competitive SBIR/STTR proposals. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
SBIR and STTR funding is highly competitive—early-stage support improves outcomes
The path to non-dilutive federal funding isn’t just about innovation—it’s about execution. Winning SBIR/STTR proposals require strategic planning, strong commercialization narratives, and polished submissions. For startups without prior experience, this can be a costly and confusing barrier.
That’s why regional programs like HSC Next’s Phase 0 initiative are so vital.
HSC Next guides Tarrant County startups through federal funding preparation
The SBIR Phase 0 Program administered by HSC Next, based at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, is designed to help small businesses in Tarrant County pursue SBIR or STTR funding through targeted proposal development support.
Support is tailored to startups in the concepting or planning stage that are ready to take a serious step toward a Phase I or Phase II submission. The program does not offer a fixed award amount, but services may include:
- One-on-one guidance through SBIR/STTR eligibility and agency alignment
- Proposal structure and writing support
- Technical review and editing
- Commercialization plan development
This program is open year-round, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
A Fort Worth medtech startup recently worked with HSC Next’s Phase 0 Program to refine their first SBIR proposal and build a clear commercialization plan. With local guidance and structured support, they submitted a competitive Phase I application and positioned themselves for follow-on funding.
Apply with confidence and increase your chances of funding success
Rather than going it alone, startups working with HSC Next gain access to deep federal funding expertise. With this support, founders can focus on building a strong application, aligned with funder expectations and agency-specific requirements.
This program is ideal for first-time applicants, small R&D-based businesses, and innovators in health, biotech, medtech, or any other high-growth field pursuing non-dilutive capital.
Without targeted proposal help, strong ideas can miss out on vital funding
Too often, startups with great ideas submit underdeveloped proposals that fail to capture their full potential. Missing technical clarity, poor formatting, or vague commercialization plans can all contribute to rejection.
The HSC Next Phase 0 Program is designed to reduce those risks by guiding startups through a process that leads to stronger submissions—and stronger chances of success.
Use local expertise to position your proposal for national funding
By participating in the HSC Next Phase 0 Program, startups get structured support at a critical moment. The program functions like a grant readiness engine, helping teams clarify their vision, refine their materials, and build fundable proposals.
Whether you’re a medtech startup in Fort Worth or a cleantech innovator elsewhere in Tarrant County, this is a program worth exploring if federal funding is part of your growth strategy.
Learn more and take your first step toward SBIR funding
Explore the HSC Next Phase 0 Program and connect with their team through the contact form to determine how your business can get started. If you need help aligning this with your broader SBIR/STTR strategy, schedule a consult call with us for expert guidance.
EB Howard helps founders nationwide make their first SBIR proposals fundable
We work with founders across all stages to build competitive, fundable SBIR and STTR proposals. Regional Phase 0 programs like HSC Next’s offer the exact kind of tactical support needed to reduce risk and maximize results. If you’re based in Tarrant County and preparing to apply, this is an excellent resource to leverage.
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.