West Virginia SBIR/STTR Matching Grant Program
West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) / In-Tech Program
Up to $200,000
WV state match for federal SBIR/STTR winners
West Virginia's state-funded matching grant provides additional cash to WV small businesses that have won a federal SBIR or STTR award. Grants up to $100,000 for Phase I federal awardees and up to $200,000 for Phase II awardees, bridging the gap between federal funding and full commercialization. The program — administered through the WV SBDC In-Tech Program — accepts applications in semi-annual windows (January and July) and is designed to keep WV tech companies in-state through scale-up. STTR applicants must have an established research institution partner.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $10,000 – $200,000
- Realistic amount
- Most WV SBIR/STTR match recipients who apply in a semi-annual window receive amounts near the Phase I cap ($100K) or Pha…
- Deadline
- Semi-annual — applications accepted in January and July windows only.
- Status
- active
- States
- WV
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- Must be a small business meeting SBA SBIR size standards (fewer than 500 employees)
- Must have principal place of business in West Virginia
- Must hold an active federal SBIR or STTR award (Phase I or Phase II) from any federal agency
- Must be majority US-owned (51%+ by US citizens or permanent residents)
- Cannot have received WV state match funding on the same federal award previously
- Business must commit to maintaining WV headquarters for the duration of the state grant period
- STTR applicants must have an established partnering research institution (university or federal laboratory) as required by the federal STTR program
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- 51%+ US ownership required
- Requires a prior Phase I award
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs (salaries for WV-based researchers and staff)
- Equipment purchases necessary for the research project
- Laboratory and facility costs in West Virginia
- Subcontractor costs (WV-based preferred)
- Commercialization activities (market research, prototype development, regulatory filing prep)
- Indirect costs at institutional rate
Ineligible expenses
- Costs already reimbursed by the federal SBIR/STTR award
- Equipment purchases for facilities outside West Virginia
- General and administrative costs unrelated to the research project
- Lobbying or advocacy activities
- Costs incurred before grant agreement execution
How to apply
-
1
Receive federal SBIR or STTR award notification
Obtain your Phase I or Phase II award notice from the federal agency. This document is required for the WV state match application.
~5 hrs
-
2
Contact WVSBDC In-Tech Program and apply in next window
Contact the West Virginia SBDC In-Tech Program and submit the state match application during the next January or July application window. Include federal award notice, business plan, commercialization strategy, and WV job creation projections. STTR applicants must include documentation of the research institution partnership.
~5 hrs
-
3
Review by WVSBDC In-Tech Program
Application reviewed for eligibility, WV economic impact, and commercialization readiness following the close of the semi-annual window. Review takes approximately 30–45 days.
~5 hrs
-
4
Execute grant agreement and receive funds
Upon approval, execute grant agreement specifying use of funds, reporting milestones, and WV location commitment. Funds disbursed as lump sum or in installments based on project milestones.
~5 hrs
Applications are only accepted in the January and July windows — plan ahead after receiving your federal award. STTR applicants must document their research institution partnership. Contact the WVSBDC In-Tech Program as soon as you have your federal award to confirm the next window date.
Deadline & timing
Must apply within an open window (January or July) after receiving the federal SBIR/STTR award. Cannot apply before the federal award notice is in hand. Contact WVSBDC In-Tech Program to confirm exact window dates for the current year.
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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.