Utah Technology Innovation Fund

The Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) program supports Utah small companies in their efforts to develop novel technology and products through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Utah applicants and winners can apply for the following funding opportunities:

  • Microgrants: Eligible Phase I applicants may seek microgrants to offset the costs of submitting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal. Applicants may receive $3,000 (up to $5,000 for rural businesses) after the successful submission of a Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal.

  • Nonrecourse Loans: Eligible Phase I winners may seek nonrecourse loans to help bridge the gap between Phase I and Phase II SBIR/STTR R&D efforts. Applicants may receive $50,000 in gap funding (up to $60,000 for rural businesses) after the successful submission of a Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal.

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • The SBIR and STTR programs are America’s Seed Fund. These highly competitive federal programs fund small business research and development of innovative technology with the potential for commercialization.

    Attend the free, monthly SBIR 101 Workshop to learn more about SBIR/STTR.

  • Utah small businesses seeking funding opportunities under the SBIR/STTR programs can perform searches for specific agency solicitations at SBIR.gov.

  • To qualify for the UTIF program, you must specify an eligible and open SBIR or STTR solicitation within your UTIF application. Please wait to apply to UTIF until you've identified the SBIR or STTR solicitation you plan to pursue.

  • Upload each document separately; do not merge them into a single file or zip file. The office portal accepts multiple attachments.

  • UTIF applications should be submitted via the submission portal at least four weeks before the related SBIR/STTR submission deadline.

  • Phase I awardees cannot request a microgrant for a previous submission. However, if the company submits another Phase I proposal, you could be eligible for the microgrant if the company has not been awarded a Phase I award within the last five years and is working with Nucleus Grow. There is a limit of one microgrant per company.

  • Phase II awardees cannot request a nonrecourse loan for a previous submission and/or award. However, you may be eligible to apply for a nonrecourse loan if your business received a SBIR/STTR Phase I award and is planning to submit a corresponding Phase II proposal with the assistance of Nucleus Grow. There is a limit of two nonrecourse loans per company.

  • Although a business license is not required under the UTIF program, your company may be required to obtain one depending on your local jurisdiction. A valid business registration with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code is required under the UTIF program. For business guidance and available resources, please visit the Startup State Initiative website at startup.utah.gov goes here

  • To qualify for UTIF, you must complete the following registrations prior to submitting your UTIF funding application:

    1. SAM.gov

    2. SBIR.gov

    3. Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Codes

  • Your small business must identify a specific SBIR/STTR topic from a federal agency before applying for a UTIF microgrant or nonrecourse loan. This topic must be tied to an open SBIR/STTR funding opportunity (Solicitation, BAA, FOA, RGA, etc.) with a specific submission deadline and funding amount. This information must be provided under your UTIF application at least four weeks before the submission deadline.

    Your UTIF application can be completed online via GOEO’s submission portal and must be pre-approved by Nucleus Grow prior to submitting a Phase I or Phase II proposal to the federal agency. 

  • No. UTIF will be awarded to all eligible applicants until funding is depleted.

How to submit a UTIF application

If you are new to the office's opportunities, please complete the New Portal User Request Form to receive login credentials. This process takes about one business day.

If you already have login credentials, access the portal by clicking on the “Apply Here” button below, where you’ll find the applications for the SBIR/STTR Microgrant and the SBIR/STTR Gap Funding Nonrecourse Loan.

APPLY HERE

If you have questions, view the UTIF Application Guide or reach out to grow@nucleusutah.org, and you’ll receive a response within 3 business days.