WBDC Ignite 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 New Jersey Catalyst Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program provides early-stage New Jersey based companies with vouchers of up to $40,000 to subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities, and makerspaces at participating "core facilities" across the state. Administered by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the program is designed to support early-stage companies in transforming new discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable technologies that attract industry and investor interest. Eligible target areas include advanced manufacturing, advanced transportation and logistics, film and digital media, life sciences (both therapeutic drug development and other applications), non-retail food and beverage, professional and financial services, and technology. Funds are paid directly to participating core facilities (which include New Jersey based two-year and four-year colleges and universities, federal labs, and approved nonprofit organizations) rather than to the business itself, and may be used for the use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development, as well as training to prepare for independent use of facility equipment. Applicants can apply for multiple vouchers up to a combined cap of $40,000 in any 12-month period. To qualify, applicants must be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey (with a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT), have no more than 50 full-time-equivalent workers, have at least one full-time worker, conduct 50 percent or more of cumulative work hours in New Jersey, generate less than or equal to $5 million in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue), and have received fewer than three total vouchers over the life of the company across all rounds of the Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program and the Clean Tech R&D Voucher Pilot Program combined. Applications are accepted as long as program funds remain available, and applicants must secure a written letter of support, agreed scope of work, and agreed budget from a participating core facility as part of the application process.

The LGBTQIA+ National Grant provides eligible small businesses the chance to receive one of 25 grant packages totaling $25,000. Founders First is committed to increasing the number of diverse founder-led businesses generating over $1 million dollars in revenues.

The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm—designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers. The grant is $15,000, covering 75% of project costs.

The Baton Rouge Commercial Building Improvement Program provides for-profit businesses, nonprofit storefront operators, and property owners in East Baton Rouge Parish with reimbursement grants of $10,000 to $50,000 to fund exterior improvements to commercial buildings within low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods. Administered by the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President's Office of Community Development and funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the program has approximately $300,000 in total awards available per round on a competitive basis. The program is designed to rehabilitate and reactivate blighted or underused commercial buildings in LMI neighborhoods, strengthen commercial corridors through visible high-impact exterior improvements, and support small, locally owned businesses serving LMI communities. Eligible exterior improvements include window and door replacement, exterior painting and finishes, roofing, removal of security bars or grates, storefront transparency improvements, storefront and exterior envelope improvements, permanent code-compliant signage, exterior lighting, sidewalk repair, awnings and canopies, masonry repair and restoration, ADA-compliant exterior improvements, and design costs of up to 10 percent of project total. Ineligible costs include new construction, property acquisition or building expansion, interior renovations of any kind, interior furniture, fixtures, or equipment, temporary signage or banners, routine maintenance without visual improvement, installation of security bars, landscaping beyond the immediate building frontage, permit or legal fees, and any work completed before Notice to Proceed. A financial match is not required, but applicants who provide a minimum 25 percent cash match receive additional scoring points (in-kind contributions are not accepted). Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations operating a commercial storefront, and property owners applying on behalf of an eligible tenant business. Home-based businesses, businesses without a public-facing storefront, financial institutions, adult-oriented businesses, and applicants with unresolved compliance issues on prior CDBG-funded programs are not eligible. Projects must be located in CDBG-eligible LMI census tracts, with preference given to annual Priority Areas mapped in the program guidelines. Tenant applicants must have at least 12 months remaining on their lease (or a renewal option extending 12 months beyond project completion). Because the program is federally funded, funded projects are subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, environmental review, and historic preservation guidelines. All construction work must be completed by contractors from a pre-approved contractor pool selected by the Office of Community Development (applicants cannot independently select or substitute a contractor), and reimbursements are paid directly to the contractor as work progresses. Improvements must remain in place for a minimum of five years, and awards over $25,000 may require a recorded property restriction or covenant to enforce this requirement.