Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) Program Note to prospective applicants: Please read this announcement carefully and follow all requirements. Applicants who do not adhere to the process outlined in this document will not have their applications reviewed or funded. OVERVIEW: Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) aims to leverage Utah small business success with the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Two distinct offerings, Microgrants for Phase I applicants, and Nonrecourse Loans for Phase II applicants, maximize the opportunity to bring novel technology and solutions to the marketplace. Programs: 1) Microgrants are for qualified Utah small businesses who work with the Utah Innovation Center to prepare and submit a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal in response to one of the 11 federal participating agencies. This program intends to offset the cost of staff time to develop, write, and submit a competitive proposal that can take upwards of 200 hours. The microgrant is intended for Utah small businesses who are: a) New to the SBIR/STTR programs, b) Have not been awarded an SBIR/STTR grant or contract within the last five years, and c) Have not worked with the Utah Innovation Center more than once on a previous submission. Limit of one award per company; $3,000 ($2,000 additional funding for rural businesses to address barriers in the technology industry, for a total of $5,000). 2) Nonrecourse Loans are for SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees who are submitting a Phase II proposal. Winning federal SBIR/STTR funding means a company, team, and technology have met rigorous standards and requirements. Qualified Utah small businesses who are awarded SBIR/STTR Phase I funding with a minimum award opportunity of $100,000 may apply to the Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) program to receive an amount not to exceed $50,000 ($10,000 additional funding for rural businesses for a total of $60,000) as a nonrecourse loan to provide gap funding before a Phase II award is received. Limit of two nonrecourse loans per company. ELIGIBILITY The company must meet SBA’s eligibility requirements for the SBIR/STTR programs and provide proof of registration with sbir.gov. ● The company must be Utah-based; i.e. maintain its principal place of business in Utah. To be considered Utah-based, a company must: o Be registered with the Utah Division of Corporations as an active for-profit business entity in good standing. ●
Revised 02/07/25