Louisiana Innovation Retention Grant (IRG)
Louisiana Economic Development (LED)
Up to $100,000
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 4 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Keep your SBIR company in Louisiana — $100K grant
Louisiana's Innovation Retention Grant provides up to $100,000 to research-focused small businesses that have won federal SBIR or STTR awards — specifically to encourage them to stay and grow in Louisiana rather than relocating to tech hubs. Established by the Louisiana Legislature in 2022, the grant is disbursed in two equal installments over two years. Eligibility requires a post-June 2022 SBIR/STTR award, Louisiana for-profit status, and private ownership.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $100,000
- Realistic amount
- Most recipients receive the full $100,000 — the program is designed as a retention incentive, not a competitive grant wi…
- Deadline
- Between rounds — application windows open by legislative authorization; the most recent closed June 2024. Monitor opportunitylouisiana.gov for new-round announcements.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- LA
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- For-profit, privately owned business based in Louisiana
- Must be a recipient of a federal SBIR or STTR award received after June 15, 2022
- Eligible for Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR funding
- Must intend to remain and grow in Louisiana (retention focus)
- Business must be classified as a small business under federal SBIR/STTR standards (under 500 employees)
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Requires a prior Phase I award
- Location restriction: Louisiana — business must be based in Louisiana
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Research and development activities to commercialize the SBIR/STTR-funded technology
- Salaries for Louisiana-based R&D staff
- Equipment and supplies for qualifying technology development
- Business development and commercialization activities within Louisiana
Ineligible expenses
- Expenses reimbursed by the federal SBIR/STTR award itself
- Activities outside Louisiana
- Non-R&D business operations (sales, marketing, general overhead — verify with LED)
How to apply
-
1
Confirm SBIR/STTR award eligibility
Verify that your federal SBIR or STTR award was received after June 15, 2022 and that your business is for-profit, privately owned, and physically based in Louisiana.
-
2
Apply via LED's OpportunityLouisiana portal
Submit the Innovation Retention Grant application at opportunitylouisiana.com/business-incentives/innovation-retention-grant. The application includes program details, FAQs, and a downloadable application form.
-
3
LED review and award determination
LED reviews applications and determines award eligibility based on SBIR/STTR award documentation and Louisiana business status. Contact LED at (225) 342-3000 for application support.
-
4
Receive disbursements over two years
Approved recipients receive up to $50,000 in year one and up to $50,000 in year two, totaling $100,000. Disbursement conditions and reporting requirements are specified in the grant agreement.
This is a retention grant — LED wants to keep SBIR-winning companies in Louisiana. Application is straightforward if you have a qualifying federal award post-June 2022. Stack with LED FastStart if your company is scaling headcount.
Deadline & timing
Program launched with applications opening August 15, 2023. Current application cycle status should be verified directly at LED's portal — the program may have funding windows or may be continuously accepting applications. Contact LED directly to confirm current availability.
Not accepting applications right now — get one email when it reopens
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