by David Wright

SBA awarded more than $8 million to 50 FAST organizations, including the University of Georgia Research Foundation, to help startups prepare for SBIR and STTR opportunities.

What SBA announced

The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded more than $8 million to 50 organizations through the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program, commonly called FAST. The program funds local organizations that provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance to help small businesses compete for federal research and development funding through America’s Seed Fund.

Georgia is on the 2027 FAST list

The University of Georgia Research Foundation is the FAST awardee listed for Georgia. SBA says the new award period begins September 30. That matters because a Georgia startup with a research-driven product does not have to navigate SBIR and STTR opportunities alone; the FAST network is designed to provide local support for identifying opportunities, improving applications, and moving from research toward commercialization.

Know what FAST is – and what it is not

FAST funding goes to support organizations, not directly to every startup that asks. The practical opportunity for founders is access to assistance that can improve readiness for SBIR and STTR competitions. Those federal programs provide non-dilutive research and development funding, meaning founders generally do not give up equity in exchange for the award. Eligibility, agency priorities, technical requirements, and application rules still vary by opportunity.

Build a federal R&D readiness file

Before chasing a solicitation, prepare the building blocks: a clear problem statement, evidence that the problem matters, a defensible technical innovation, a realistic work plan, relevant team expertise, commercialization logic, and a concise description of the customer or mission need. Keep company registrations, ownership records, resumes, prior research, intellectual-property information, budgets, and letters of support organized so the administrative work does not derail the technical story.

Use assistance to improve fit, not just polish

The best question is not ‘How do I make this proposal sound better?’ It is ‘Is this opportunity actually a strong fit for our technology and stage?’ A mentor or technical-assistance provider can help founders avoid spending weeks on a solicitation that does not match the company’s capabilities. A disciplined go/no-go decision is part of grant strategy.

Key takeaways

• SBA awarded more than $8 million to 50 FAST organizations for startup technical assistance.
• The University of Georgia Research Foundation is the listed FAST awardee for Georgia.
• FAST support can help founders prepare for SBIR/STTR opportunities; it is not a direct grant to every startup.
• Strong applications begin with technical fit, evidence, team capability, and commercialization logic.

Sources and related reading

• SBA Awards More than $8 Million in FAST Grants to Fuel Next Generation of Breakthrough Innovators
• Related ASBI article

Next step: Request an appointment.

Educational business information only. Verify current eligibility, solicitation requirements, deadlines, registrations, and award terms directly with SBA, participating federal agencies, and qualified advisors.