About USRIA
Our Mission: Research to Real-World Impact
The U.S. Research Impact Alliance (USRIA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping innovative technologies move from the lab to the market. We work with researchers, entrepreneurs, universities, and public-sector partners to reduce the barriers that keep promising ideas from reaching real-world adoption.
Our Programs
What We Do
USRIA operates hands-on programs that help innovators navigate the path from research to market. We provide practical commercialization guidance and deep expertise in non-dilutive federal funding, particularly the SBIR and STTR programs. Our work includes connecting entrepreneurs with experienced technical advisors for one-on-one mentorship, helping small businesses and researchers access and compete for federal funding, offering free training and resources through our Federal Funding Readiness platform, building partnerships between universities, federal labs, startups, and public-sector organizations, and supporting portfolio companies from early-stage research through market entry.
Who We Serve
We work with early-stage ventures and research-driven startups, particularly in deep-tech sectors. We also partner with universities, federal laboratories, economic development organizations, and public funders who share our commitment to expanding access to non-dilutive capital and accelerating the adoption of important technologies.
EIR-Corps — Our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence program connects emerging innovators with experienced advisors to accelerate commercialization.
SBIR/STTR Assistance — We help small businesses navigate the federal funding process, from identifying opportunities to preparing competitive proposals.
Federal Funding Readiness Training — Our free, self-paced training at usria.org/sbirtraining helps entrepreneurs understand whether SBIR/STTR funding is right for them and how to get started.
Based in Morgantown, West Virginia, USRIA operates nationally. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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The Problem We're Solving
Every year, billions of dollars in federally funded research produces breakthroughs that never reach the people who need them. Fragmented commercialization pathways, complex funding programs, and limited coordination between institutions leave too many innovations stranded between discovery and deployment. USRIA exists to close that gap.