SBIR/STTR Grant Program

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Grant Program will support research-focused, San Antonio small businesses that have received a federal SBIR/STTR grant. It is intended to support San Antonio startup companies that have a high potential for commercial viability to establish new markets and spur export-oriented growth.

Grant Funding

Phase I eligible companies may qualify for up to $50,000 in grant funding and Phase II eligible companies may qualify for up to $100,000. The total award funding available is capped at no more than $500,000. The grant program application window is subject to close at City's discretion or once available funds are exhausted. Final awards are subject to City Council approval. City Council consideration is anticipated in September – October 2026.

Grant Eligibility

Phase I and Phase II federal SBIR/STTR recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a for-profit, privately owned business.
• Must be headquartered in the City of San Antonio.
• Must have 40 or fewer employees.

NOTE: Grant program requirements and eligibility criteria are subject to change at City's discretion.

Phase I Grant Recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Has received an SBIR/STTR Phase I award from a participating federal agency in the past two years (2024 – 2026).
• Is a for-profit City of San Antonio headquartered small business with 40 employees or less.
• Agree to remain headquartered in the City of San Antonio for the length of the City match agreement award.
• Must also complete and submit a grant application. Grant application forms to be posted on the Economic Development Department's website.

Phase II Grant Recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Has received an SBIR/STTR Phase II award from a participating federal agency in the past two years (2024 – 2026).
• For a Phase II City grant, terms will include the intent of the company to conduct fifty-one percent of the research described in the Phase II award in the City of San Antonio and to remain a City of San Antonio business for the duration of the City agreement.
• Submitted an accepted City of San Antonio final Phase II report to include details of disbursed funds and anticipated Phase II conclusion.
• Applicants must also complete and submit a grant application. Grant application forms to be posted on the Economic Development Department's website.

Use of Funds

Use of City grant funds is restricted to costs that are directly related to the project funded by the federal Phase I or II SBIR/STTR award. These costs include but are not limited to:

• direct costs for additional technical work
• product testing and validation
• intellectual property protection
• market research
• patent search
• business development plan
• hiring of new high paying technical and business employees
• small equipment

Compliance

Grant awardees will be required to submit a status report as to the disposition of the funds semi-annually to ensure eligible use of funds within the agreement term. Businesses receiving City grant funds must agree to provide the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department with information on an annual SBIR/STTR Grant Program survey for three years.

Businesses must also agree to maintain records and accounts that properly document and account for the use of City of San Antonio funds for a period of five years and agree to comply with any audit requests. If an audit results in the determination that the recipient has expended contract funds on unallowable costs, they shall reimburse City of San Antonio in full for all such costs.

Award recommendations subject to funding availability. City reserves discretion to recommend applicant companies who have not received a prior City SBIR/STTR grant.

Application

The application is not yet open for this program. To receive more information as it becomes available, submit your contact information.