OCAST Industry Innovation Program
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
$10K–$500K
Oklahoma scales your innovation
A competitive, non-dilutive grant from OCAST for Oklahoma-based private-sector companies to fund high-impact, commercialization-focused innovation projects. Awards range from $10,000 to $500,000 with a required dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match, and at least 51% of the OCAST-funded project work must be performed within Oklahoma. The program targets Oklahoma's priority sectors — aerospace, autonomous systems and defense; biotechnology and life sciences; and energy diversification — and funds activities such as hiring scientific and technical expertise, forming research partnerships, securing supplies and equipment, and validating technologies heading to market. The FY2026 cycle opened July 1, 2025 with a July 31, 2025 deadline; the program runs on an annual fiscal-year Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $10,000 – $500,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awards fall well below the $500,000 ceiling given a ~$500,000 annual program pool sprea…
- Deadline
- Annual fiscal-year cycle. FY2026 window opened July 1, 2025 with applications due July 31, 2025; the FY2027 cycle is expected to open around July 2026.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Oklahoma
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- Must be an Oklahoma-based company (private-sector enterprise)
- At least 51% of the OCAST-funded project work must be completed within Oklahoma
- Must commit a 1:1 ($1-for-$1) match
- Project must fall in a priority sector: aerospace/autonomous systems and defense, biotechnology/life sciences, or energy diversification
- Must register as a State of Oklahoma supplier to receive funds
Hard requirements
- Must be an incorporated business
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Hiring scientific and technical expertise
- Creating research/commercialization partnerships
- Securing necessary supplies and equipment
- Technology validation toward market launch
- Other direct project costs per the NOFO
Ineligible expenses
- Project work performed outside Oklahoma beyond the allowed share
- General operating costs unrelated to the funded innovation project
- Costs not matched 1:1 as required
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility and sector fit
Verify Oklahoma base, the 51%-in-Oklahoma work requirement, ability to commit a 1:1 match, and that your project fits a priority sector (aerospace/defense, biotech/life sciences, or energy diversification).
~4 hrs
-
2
Register and read the NOFO
Create an account in the OCAST Funding Portal and register as a State of Oklahoma supplier. Read the current-year Industry Innovation NOFO and program information sheet.
~5 hrs
-
3
Prepare the application
Develop the project narrative (commercial potential, measurable impact), budget with the 1:1 match documented, and supporting materials per the submission guides.
~24 hrs
-
4
Submit by the deadline
Submit through the OCAST Funding Portal before the cycle deadline (e.g., July 31 for the FY2026 round). Awards announced after review.
~3 hrs
The 51%-in-Oklahoma work rule and 1:1 match are the make-or-break gates — line up your match (cash or documented in-kind) and an Oklahoma-based execution plan before you write the narrative. With only ~$500,000 in the annual pool against a $500,000 per-project ceiling, framing a sharply scoped, clearly commercializable project beats asking for the maximum.
Deadline & timing
Apply through the OCAST Funding Portal under the current-year Industry Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Applicants must register as a State of Oklahoma supplier before funds can be distributed. The FY2026 cycle has closed; watch for the next-year NOFO.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.