Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OIIFT 26 001
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a Small Business Administration (SBA) grant opportunity designed to boost the technology competitiveness of U.S. small businesses by expanding their participation and success in the federal SBIR and STTR programs. The core idea is to fund state-based (and optionally regional, collaborative) support programs that help more small businesses learn about SBIR/STTR, understand current requirements, submit stronger applications, and ultimately win more awards. FAST focuses on broad reach across all eligible small businesses, not just those already plugged into research networks, so proposals are generally expected to show a clear plan for outreach, education, and hands-on assistance.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which typically means the SBA expects active involvement in the funded project through coordination, reporting, and shared oversight rather than a simple pass-through grant. Funding supports activities like raising awareness of SBIR/STTR opportunities, delivering training on proposal development and compliance, and providing technical and business assistance that improves the quality and volume of submissions. The program may also allow forms of financial support to small businesses if the applicant proposes and administers that support in a way that directly increases SBIR/STTR proposal submissions and awards.
Eligibility is tied to two key conditions. First, the applicant must be a public or private entity, organization, or individual that intends to use the funds to deliver outreach, technical or business assistance, and/or financial support aimed at increasing SBIR/STTR proposals and awards. Second, the applicant must be endorsed by the appropriate state governor or an authorized designee, and that endorsement must designate the applicant as the only approved applicant from that state. In other words, the state selects a single endorsed applicant to represent it for this FAST competition.
Only applicants located in the listed states and U.S. territories are eligible under this announcement: American Samoa, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Guam, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, Vermont, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Organizations outside these locations would not qualify for this specific round as described.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title "Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program" with opportunity number SB OIIFT 26 001 and CFDA number 59.058. The agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration. The application deadline listed is July 22, 2026. The award ceiling is $180,000 per award, and the SBA expects to make about 7 awards. The funding activity aligns with business and commerce, education, and science and technology/research and development, reflecting the program’s emphasis on turning innovative small-business R&D potential into successful SBIR/STTR participation and outcomes.Apply for SB OIIFT 26 001
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.058.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $180,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAST Partnership Program (SBA) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the FAST Partnership Program?
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) grant opportunity intended to boost the technology competitiveness of U.S. small businesses by expanding their participation and success in the federal SBIR and STTR programs.
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The core goal is to fund state-based (and optionally regional, collaborative) support programs that help more small businesses learn about SBIR/STTR, understand current requirements, submit stronger applications, and ultimately win more SBIR/STTR awards.
3) What types of projects does FAST fund?
FAST supports programs that provide outreach, education, training, and hands-on assistance to increase both the quality and volume of SBIR/STTR submissions and awards. The emphasis is on expanding awareness and improving readiness so more eligible small businesses can compete effectively.
4) What kinds of activities are allowable under FAST (based on the description provided)?
Funding supports activities such as:
- Raising awareness of SBIR/STTR opportunities
- Delivering training on proposal development and compliance
- Providing technical and business assistance aimed at improving SBIR/STTR submission quality and increasing awards
5) Can FAST funds be used to provide financial support to small businesses?
Yes, the program may allow forms of financial support to small businesses, if the applicant proposes and administers that support in a way that directly increases SBIR/STTR proposal submissions and awards.
6) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is tied to two conditions:
- The applicant must be a public or private entity, organization, or individual that intends to use the funds to deliver outreach, technical or business assistance, and/or financial support aimed at increasing SBIR/STTR proposals and awards.
- The applicant must be endorsed by the appropriate state governor or an authorized designee, and that endorsement must designate the applicant as the only approved applicant from that state.
7) What does it mean that the applicant must be endorsed by the governor (or designee)?
It means the state selects a single endorsed applicant to represent it for this FAST competition. The endorsement must indicate that the applicant is the only approved applicant from that state for this round.
8) Can more than one organization apply from the same state?
No. The opportunity description states that the governor (or authorized designee) must designate the applicant as the only approved applicant from that state, meaning only one endorsed applicant per state can apply.
9) Which locations are eligible under this announcement?
Only applicants located in the listed states and U.S. territories are eligible for this specific round:
- American Samoa
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Guam
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Washington
- Vermont
- U.S. Virgin Islands
10) Are organizations outside the listed states and territories eligible?
No. Organizations outside these locations would not qualify for this specific round as described.
11) Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. That typically indicates SBA expects active involvement in the funded project through coordination, reporting, and shared oversight rather than a simple pass-through grant.
12) What does "discretionary cooperative agreement" imply for how the award is managed?
Based on the description provided, it implies SBA involvement in the project through coordination, reporting expectations, and shared oversight during the period of performance, rather than awarding funds with minimal agency interaction.
13) What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is $180,000 per award.
14) How many awards does SBA expect to make?
SBA expects to make about 7 awards.
15) What is the application deadline?
The listed application deadline is July 22, 2026.
16) What is the official funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is "Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program."
17) What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is SB OIIFT 26 001.
18) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number is 59.058.
19) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The agency is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
20) What subject areas or funding categories does this opportunity align with?
The funding activity aligns with business and commerce, education, and science and technology/research and development. This reflects the program emphasis on turning innovative small-business R&D potential into successful SBIR/STTR participation and outcomes.
21) Is the program intended only for small businesses that are already part of research networks?
No. FAST focuses on broad reach across all eligible small businesses, not just those already plugged into research networks. Proposals are generally expected to show a clear plan for outreach, education, and hands-on assistance.
22) What outcomes is FAST trying to improve?
The program is designed to increase SBIR/STTR participation and success, including helping more small businesses understand requirements, submit stronger applications, and win more SBIR/STTR awards.
23) Does FAST fund SBIR/STTR research directly?
The description emphasizes funding support programs that help small businesses participate in SBIR/STTR (awareness, training, technical/business help, and possibly certain forms of financial support tied to increasing submissions and awards), rather than directly funding SBIR/STTR R&D projects.
24) Does the opportunity allow regional or collaborative programs?
Yes. The program description indicates FAST funds state-based programs and may optionally support regional, collaborative approaches.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce, Education, Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: DoW Bone Marrow Failure, Resource Development Award
Previous opportunity: OVC FY 2026 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SB OIIFT 26 001
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SB OIIFT 26 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.