Increase Your SBIR/STTR Funding with West Virginia's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund
Got federal SBIR or STTR funding? West Virginia wants to double down on your innovation through matching funds. The West Virginia Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund (EII) offers grants to businesses that have received federal SBIR/STTR awards, aiming to maximize the impact of federal research funding awards.
What is West Virginia’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund?
The EII Fund is a state-funded program that provides grants to West Virginia businesses that receive federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. The EII Fund represents West Virginia's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies developed by local entrepreneurs. By combining federal recognition with state support, the program helps ensure that promising innovations have the resources they need to succeed.
What Types of Grants Are Available in West Virginia?
The EII Fund offers two types of grants:
Phase I & II Matching Grants
Provides matching funds for businesses that have received federal Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR awards
Applications accepted twice yearly during specific windows
Current application window: Open now through July 31, 2025
Phase 0 Grants
$2,500 grants available to businesses immediately after submitting a Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal
No need to wait for federal award notification
Applications accepted year-round
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for EII Fund grants, your business must:
Be located within the state of West Virginia
Be a small business (meeting federal SBIR/STTR eligibility requirements)
Have successfully submitted a federal SBIR or STTR proposal
For Phase I/II matching: Have received a federal Phase I or Phase II award
For Phase 0 grants: Have submitted a Phase I proposal (award notification not required)
How to Apply to West Virginia’s Matching Grant Program
The application process varies depending on the grant type:
For Phase I & II Matching Grants:
Applications are only accepted during two annual windows (January and July)
Current deadline: July 31, 2025
Must have received federal award before applying
For Phase 0 Grants:
Apply any time after submitting your federal Phase I proposal
Year-round application acceptance
Quick turnaround for funding decisions
Get Started Today
Ready to leverage state funding to amplify your federal SBIR/STTR award?
Learn more and apply:
The EII Fund is managed by the West Virginia Small Business Development Center's Innovation-Technology (In-Tech) program, which also provides technical assistance and guidance throughout the application process in collaboration with USRIA through the WV SPRINT initiative.
For more information, email Mary Hott at the WV SBDC.
