The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded grants to 21 state and local economic development entities, small business development centers, colleges and universities in support of efforts to foster small business innovation.
SBA said Monday that it issued one-year grants worth up to $125,000 in fiscal 2017 for 16 recipients under the Federal and State Technology partnership program which aims to stimulate economic development through outreach and technical assistance for small businesses.
The FAST program also helps partners compete for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
SBA noted that the FAST grant recipients will look to help commercialize technology through SBIR grants, assist small business R&D efforts, transfer technology from universities to small businesses, develop proposals for small businesses and support technological innovation.
The agency also awarded grants up to $200,000 to five Small Business Technology Development Centers that aid technology-driven small businesses.
“SBA is looking forward to working with these organizations to increase the understanding of the SBIR/STTR programs,” said Linda McMahon, SBA administrator.