How We Can Help
The Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) provides education, one-on-one assistance, and micro seed funding with the Wyoming Phase 0/00 to help teams prepare competitive Phase I/II proposals. We provide no-cost, confidential advising. Our team can assist with:
- Determining eligibility/fit for SBIR/STTR
- Identifying funding opportunities, research partners, and mentors
- Preparing a competitive Phase I/II proposals
- Connecting applicants to state and federal resources
Once you've registered as a client, schedule your first meeting with our team to discuss your innovation and receive the Phase 0/00 application packet. When you sign up for the WSSI program, you are connected to the larger Wyoming SBDC Network including the SBDC Regional Directors, the Cybersecurity Program, the APEX Accelerator, and the Market Research.
Wyoming Phase 0/00
Helping Wyoming Entrepreneurs Compete
The Wyoming Phase 0/00 Program provides up to $5,000 in early-stage support to help
Wyoming owned and operated small businesses prepare competitive proposals for federal
SBIR and STTR funding.
How funds can be used
Phase 0/00 grants cover critical pre-proposal activities, such as:
- Phase I/II proposals reviews
- Travel and communication with federal program officers
- Market research and customer discovery
- Consultant and mentor services
- Collecting or analyzing test data
Why it matters
This small investment helps Wyoming innovators secure larger federal R&D awards, bringing
new dollars into our communities, creating high-quality jobs, and diversifying Wyoming’s
economy. Unlike loans, the SBIR and STTR Phase I/II awards are non-dilutive—no repayment
required, no loss of ownership, and intellectual property stays with the business
Apply anytime
Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed twice monthly. New applicants and
first-time participants are encouraged to apply.
OUTREACH & TRAINING
As part of the Wyoming SBDC Network, WSSI is committed to connecting with innovators across Wyoming and providing expert training. Here are a few of our upcoming events:
DOE SBIR/STTR: From Pitch to Full Application
November 23 | 8:30-12:00 pm | Online
The Department of Energy (DOE) has reinvented its SBIR/STTR programs, and the path
to funding now starts with a short pitch that opens the door to more than $200 million
in Fall 2026 Phase I awards. Join us for this webinar whtere we'll cover who's eligible
and unpack the new pitch process. You'll learn what reveiwers are looking for, plus
what comes next if you're invited to submit a full application. By the end, you'll
have the tools to make your ptich stand out before hte December 16th deadline!
Register Wyoming SBDC Network: DOE SBIR/STTR: From Pitch to Full Application
Other non-Wyoming SBDC Network Trainings of interest:
Forging the Wyoming Way
2026 Govenor's Business Forum
November 11-13 | Cheyenne, WY | Little America, Wyoming Ballroom
Regiser with the Wyoming Business Alliance: Governor's Business Forum
The State of Wyoming Grant Management Office is offerring a two-part webinar series on Recovering the Full Cost of Federal Awards. While not SBIR specific, this training will cover background information that applicable to many federal grants. Part 1 will take place on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am MT, and Part 2 will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am MT:
- Part 1 – Indirect Costs Made Practical: Understanding Cost Pools, Allocation Methods, and the 15% De Minimis Rate:In this session, you'll learn that Federal awards should pay their fair share of the administrative and operational costs required to deliver a grant. This introductory webinar explains how indirect cost allocation works and the options available to recipients and subrecipients. Participants will examine the difference between direct and indirect costs, how cost pools and allocation bases are used, the documentation needed to support an indirect cost rate, and when an organization may elect the 15% de minimis rate.
- Part 2 – Beyond the Indirect Cost Rate: Developing Fringe Benefit, Equipment, and Internal Billing Rates: In the second session, you'll learn that indirect cost recovery is only one part of a complete cost allocation structure. Organizations may also develop separate fringe benefit, equipment, vehicle, information technology, or other internal billing rates to assign shared costs more accurately. This webinar explains when specialized rates are useful, what costs may be included, how rates are calculated and applied, and what documentation and reconciliation procedures are needed to support charges to federal awards.
Our colleagues in Minnesota are offering the following trainings, which are open to everyone:
DOW SBIR Overview of Program & Components
November 12 | 8:00 - 9:30 AM | online | no-cost
An overview of the Department of War (DOW) SBIR program and components. Attendees
will gain insight on how to identify the right solicitation for your technology, connect
with Technical Points of Contact (TPOC), and influence future topics.
You’ll Learn:
- Which components participate in the SBIR/STTR programs
- How the components differ
- How to find open BAA’s and deadlines
- Tips to be competitive and more!
Register with BBCETC: DOW SBIR Overview
Write Compelling Technical Objectives: Contracts vs Grants
November 17
10:00 - 11:30 AM, online, no-cost
Depending on the agency you’re pursuing, you’ll approach the Technical Objectives differently. Contracting agencies define specific topics, while granting agencies allow wide topical submissions. This session will review how to clearly define your proposal’s technical objects based on whether the funding agency awards a Contract or a Grant.
Register with BBCETC: Writing Compelling Technical Objectives:Contract vs Granting
Check out training opportunities offered through the Wyoming SBDC Network Upcoming Webinars and in-person events
Resources
Want to learn more about the SBIR/STTR programs and the resources available to assist your startup or venture? Here are some resources:
The applicant for an SBIR or STTR must meet the following conditions:
- Operate as a for-profit business
- U.S. owned and operated
- Less than 500 employees
- Work must be done in the United States
- Learn more about eligibility at SBIR.gov https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/elig_size_compliance_guide_1.pdf
- SBIR allows partnering; STTR requires a non-profit research institution partner
- SBIR requires the Principal Investigator (PI) to be primarily employed (>50%) at the small business while agencies' STTR programs allows the PI to be either at the research institution or at the small business (check the agency's solicitation)
- SBIR applicants may subcontract up to 33% in Phase I and 50% in Phase II
- With STTR the small business must do a minimum of 40% of the work and the Research Institution Partner must do a minimum of 30%
- SBIR - 11 agencies participate; STTR only 5 agencies participate. List of Participating Agencies
- IP Allocation Agreement is not required for SBIR, but is required for STTR. When partnering with the University of Wyoming, please contact the Technology Transfer Office, techtransfer@uwyo.edu for IP Allocation discussions.
- Phase I R&D funding is used to create proof-of-concepts. Time Frame: 6-18 months; Award Amounts: $50,000 - more than $300,000
- Phase II - The objective of Phase II is to continue the R/R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Time Frame: 24 months; Award Amounts $400,000 - $1.8 million varies by agency
- Phase III - Small businesses pursue commercialization in the private sector and/or federal contracting market place. No SBIR/STTR funding is awarded in Phase III.
- Note: Direct to Phase II, Supplemental Phase II, FAST applications, and more variations exist; it varies across agencies.
TABA allows the federal agency to provide funding for legal/IP strategy, regulatory strategy consulting, market validation, and other activities to help the small business with commercialization. Small businesses will need to identify your own vendor and attached a letter of committment outline the work. Additionally, you will include the funding in your budget and Budget Justification. Phase I TABA funding is up to $6,500 and Phase II TABA funding is up to $50,000.
U.S. Small Business Administration provides online tutorials to help applicants learn
more about the SBIR/STTR programs. Please see the Tools section for additional resources.
https://www.sbir.gov/tutorials
- What is the Phase 0/00 applications deadline? Phase 0/00 applications can be submitted at any time. Complete applications by eligible entities are collected and reviewed the first and fifteenth of each month.
- How much is the Wyoming Phase 0/00? The Wyoming Phase 0/00 is up to $5,000 contract.
- Who is eligible for a Wyoming Phase 0/00? Open to Wyoming resident owned and operated small businesses that are headquartered in Wyoming and creating jobs in Wyoming.
- Frequently Asked Questions about the federal SBIR/STTR program - FAQ
- NOTE: SBIR/STTR Programs are up for reauthorization this federal fiscal year so program specifics may change with the reauthorization.
Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation - University of Wyoming
Great Plains I-Corps Hub - University of Wyoming
IMPACT307 - University of Wyoming
Kickstart Program - Wyoming Business Council
Manufacturing Works - Wyoming's Manufacturing Extension Partnership
SBIR Matching Program - Wyoming Business Council
Startup Wy
Technology Transfer Office - University of Wyoming
Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) - Wyoming Business Council
Find more resources at: WyoBizLink
Ready to innovate and grow with SBIR/STTR funding?
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.