RALEIGH – North Carolina has opened a $210,000 incentive fund that will reimburse eligible small businesses for costs tied to preparing federal research proposals.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce released the 2026-27 solicitation Monday. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2027, or until the money is exhausted.
Qualified applicants may receive up to $12,000. The program reimburses as much as 75% of eligible proposal-preparation costs for businesses in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties and up to 50% for businesses in Tier 3 counties.
The solicitation applies to Phase I or Fast Track proposals received by a participating federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer agency during the program period, which began July 1. Companies whose federal submissions were received between July 1 and the Sept. 14 release may apply if they meet the requirements and funding remains available.
Applicants must be for-profit small businesses with their principal place of business in North Carolina. They also must plan to conduct at least 51% of the proposed Phase I work in the state, maintain significant North Carolina operations during the project and have no overdue tax debts.
The program is designed to encourage more North Carolina companies to compete for federal research awards, including businesses in economically distressed counties and applicants pursuing funding from agencies where the state has been underrepresented.