Grant Funding Resources for Biomedical Startups

Grants are a powerful funding option for small biomedical businesses because they provide non-dilutive capital. This means founders can access crucial resources for research and development without giving up equity or control of their company. These grants are designed to support innovation in high-risk areas where private funding may be hard to secure, helping startups advance cutting-edge technologies and build credibility with future investors—all while retaining full ownership.

SBIR/STTR Grants

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), collectively the Small Business Programs, are also known as America’s Seed Fund. These programs are mandated by Congress and were established to support research and development by small businesses, particularly those with innovative technologies that have potential for commercialization. Many U.S. with R&D budgets are required to allocate a percentage of their funds to SBIR/STTR awards. They provide non-dilutive funding for small businesses, making them particularly attractive.

Each R&D agency uniquely leverages the SBIR/STTR programs to align with their individual mission. Hence, I have organized the resources below by agency.

More resources coming soon! Subscribe now for the latest updates.