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Louisiana Innovation Retention Program

Louisiana Innovation Retention Grant Program

The Louisiana Innovation Retention Grant program (IRG) provides supplementary state support for research-focused Louisiana small businesses that have previously received a federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant. The program, which was established by the Louisiana Legislature in 2022, seeks to:

  • Help Louisiana retain STEM start-up companies and their talented workers;
  • Demonstrate the state’s support for business innovation by supplementing the federal research dollars received by Louisiana small businesses;
  • Increase the investment in research conducted during Phase I of the federal SBIR program, making Louisiana small businesses more competitive in the competition for Phase II funds;
  • Encourage the establishment and growth of high-quality, locally owned and operated technology businesses throughout the state.

SBIR/STTR Phase I eligible companies may qualify for up to $50,000 in IRG funding.

SBIR/STTR Phase II eligible companies may qualify for up to $100,000 in IRG funding.

Innovation Retention Grant applications will be accepted and considered in the order they are received. The grant program application window is subject to close at LED’s discretion or upon exhaustion of available funds. Final awards are subject to LED approval.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

  • Have received a federal notice of a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR award after June 15, 2022.
  • Be a for-profit, privately owned business.
  • Be headquartered (with a principal place of business) in Louisiana.

Each Innovation Research Grant will be divided into two equal amounts and disbursed over a two-year period.

  • Stage 1 – 50% of the IRG award will be paid upon proof of an SBIR/STTR Phase I or II award.
  • Stage 2 – 50% of the IRG award will be paid upon the submission of evidence that 50% of the SBIR/STTR Phase I or II has been received.

Stage 2 grant disbursements will not be made automatically to recipients of Stage 1 awards. A new application must be submitted which demonstrates that the Stage 1 grant recipient has met the Stage 2 grant disbursement requirements. Only Stage 1 grant recipients are eligible for Stage 2 grant disbursements.

1.     Completed application.

2.     Relevant page(s) of the Federal Phase I Program Solicitation associated with the IRG application, showing the solicitation topic description, closing date, and top reference number. (Please note:  Submission of a link to the solicitation does not satisfy this requirement.)

3.     A copy of the applicant’s Phase I proposal.

4.     One of the following:

For a Stage 1 grant disbursement (the 50% increment), evidence that the applicant has received an SBIR/STTR Phase I award. Such evidence must include either:

  • A copy of the executed SBIR/STTR Phase I contract; or
  • An Official Notification of Award from the federal funding agency.

For a Stage 2 grant disbursement (the 50% increment), a recipient must provide evidence that the applicant has received 50% of the SBIR/STTR Phase I or II award. Such evidence must include both:

  • A copy of the SBIR/STTR Phase I award or executed contract; and
  • Verification of SBIR/STTR payments that were received.

FAQs

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The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to engage in Research and Development (R&D) and provides funding for projects that have the potential for commercialization. Technical assistance and additional information can be received by contacting the Louisiana Business & Technology Center.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena. The goal of the STTR program is to facilitate the transfer of technology developed by a research institution through the entrepreneurship of a small business concern. Technical assistance and additional information can be received by contacting the Louisiana Business & Technology Center.

Eligible companies are Louisiana small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) that receive an SBIR/STTR Notification of Award dated on or after June 15, 2022 for Phase I or Phase II funding. 

LED will consider various factors when determining which applications will be awarded funding under the program. Factors that may be taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, business location (to ensure statewide distribution of funds) and best interests of the state. 

The Innovation Retention Grant program utilizes state funds appropriated by the Louisiana Legislature in 2022 (Act No. 476). This is a pilot program. Success of the program and future funding is tied to the award of the appropriated money. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded per fiscal year is $1 million, to be divided equally among SBIR/STTR Phase I and II federal grant recipients. 

Louisiana businesses that have been approved for a federal SBIR/STTR grant may submit an application form to SBIRFund@la.gov during the open application period. 

The application period for the initial round of Innovation Retention Program funding closed on October 15, 2023. Future application periods will be announced as program funds are authorized by the Legislature. 

Official Notification of Award may only be issued by the finance, accounting, contracting, or other unit of the agency authorized to commit and obligate the agency under the terms of the Federal SBIR/STTR Solicitation for which an IRG program award is sought. All other forms of notification are not considered official for the purpose of the Innovation Retention Grant program. All applications submitted without an Official Notification of Award will be rejected without consideration. 

Applications will be reviewed to ascertain compliance with the program requirements in the application period, until the funds available for the Retention Program have been exhausted. The date and time of receipt of the complete application (which includes all required documents) will be used to establish the order for consideration of applications. 

Each grant awarded will be divided into two equal amounts and disbursed over a two-year period.

Stage 1: 50% of the Innovation Retention Grant award will be paid upon proof of a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR award.

Stage 2: 50% of the Innovation Retention Grant award will be paid upon the submission of evidence that 50% of the SBIR/STTR Phase I or II award has been received. 

Stage 2 disbursements will not be made automatically to recipients of Stage 1 awards. A new application must be submitted which demonstrates that the Stage 1 recipient has met the Stage 2 disbursement requirements. Only Stage 1 recipients are eligible for Stage 2 disbursements. 

Grants are used to fund and advance research and commercialization efforts. The recipients can utilize these funds to support and grow their businesses in Louisiana. Examples of eligible uses of funds include:

  • Highly skilled new hires
  • Business plan development
  • Product testing
  • Market research
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Technical work 

All records or material containing proprietary or trade secret information submitted by a developer, owner, or manufacturer shall contain a cover sheet that displays in bold type, “DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL PROPRIETARY OR TRADE SECRET INFORMATION.” The developer, owner, or manufacturer shall clearly mark each instance of information which is, in their opinion, proprietary or trade secret information. However, as custodian of such information, there shall be a determination of whether such information is in fact proprietary or trade secret information. 

The SBIR/STTR Retention Grant Program rules are located here. 

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