KY SBIR/STTR Matching Grant

The Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering program is part of the Engineering Biology and Health cluster, which also includes: 1) the Biophotonics program; 2) the Biosensing program; 3) the Cellular and Biochemical Engineering program; and 4) the Engineering of Biomedical Systems program. The Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering program supports fundamental engineering research that will improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities through the development of new theories, methodologies, technologies, or devices. Disabilities could be developmental, cognitive, hearing, mobility, visual, selfcare, independent living, or other. Proposed projects must advance knowledge regarding a specific human disability or pathological motion or understanding of injury mechanisms. Research may be supported that is directed toward the characterization, restoration, rehabilitation, and/or substitution of human functional ability or cognition, or to the interaction between persons with disabilities and their environment. Areas of particular interest are neuroengineering, rehabilitation robotics, brain-inspired assistive or rehabilitative systems, theoretical or computational methods, and novel models of functional recovery including the development and application of artificial physiological systems. Emphasis is placed on significant advancement of fundamental engineering knowledge that facilitates transformative outcomes. The DARE Program encourages high-risk/high-reward proposals that surpass incremental technological improvements. The DARE Program also encourages participatory design and the inclusion of trainees with disabilities as part of the proposed research or broader impacts. Innovative proposals outside of the above specific interest areas may be considered. NSF does not support clinical trials; however, feasibility studies involving human volunteers may be supported if appropriate to the project objectives. The development and application of artificial physiological systems that do not model functional recovery and instead improve fundamental understanding of physiological and pathophysiological processes would be appropriate for EBMS. Furthermore, the DARE program does not support proposals having as their central theme commercialization of a product. Small businesses seeking early stage R&D funding for product development are encouraged to contact the NSF SBIR/STTR program in the America's Seed Fund within the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP).

The Harford County Workforce Technical Training Grant (WFTTG) provides Harford County, Maryland small businesses with reimbursement grants that cover up to 50 percent of eligible training costs, with awards of up to $2,000 per employee per round and $10,000 per business per fiscal year. Administered by the Harford County Department of Community and Economic Development, the program is a competitive matching investment grant designed to help local employers become more productive and competitive by accelerating the delivery of technical training to existing full-time, permanent employees. The grant supports intermediate and advanced technical training that leads to industry-recognized certifications and credentials, helping businesses invest in employee growth while building a stronger local workforce. Eligible uses of funds include approved external or internal technical training programs and qualifying apprenticeship programs. Recent recipients have used grant funds to support electrical training, HVAC training, welding qualifications, advanced computer training, and project management training. Over the past 10 years, Harford County's Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded more than $500,000 in training grants to small businesses across a range of industries. Eligible applicants must be a small business with a physical location in Harford County. Employees to be trained must work in Harford County, be full-time, and earn at least 150 percent of Maryland's minimum wage. The program offers two rounds of competitive funding each fiscal year, with applications reviewed by county staff and awards issued as reimbursements after the training is completed and paid for by the business. Training funded through each round must be completed during that same round's project period.

The program is intended to assist in the growth of jobs in Evanston Illinois, through entrepreneurship, helping residents and local business owners to create jobs by starting and retaining sustainable small businesses.

The Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is proud to offer the Business Improvement Grant Program to help strengthen and revitalize our local business community. This matching reimbursement grant provides up to 50% of eligible improvement costs (maximum $5,000) to support upgrades that improve the appearance, safety, and functionality of local brick-and-mortar businesses.

The Greenville Small Business Assistance Grant Program provides Greenville, North Carolina small businesses with grants of up to $50,000 to fund qualifying business expenses. Administered by the City of Greenville's Community and Development Services Department through its Business Development division, the program is geographically targeted to support small businesses operating in the city's qualified census tracts. To be eligible, businesses must be located within Greenville city limits and within a qualified census tract, be independently owned and operated with fewer than six locations, generate gross annual sales of no more than $5,000,000, and have no more than 100 employees. Applicants are typically required to attend a workshop or information session as part of the application process.