The Small Business R&D Acceleration Grants were approved by the 2022 Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly.
The Small Business R&D Acceleration Grants are designed to assist Kansas small businesses in advancing a product or service to commercialization; modifying a product or service to enter a new market; or gaining a new client by leveraging higher education facilities, equipment and expertise. This grant program partners smaller businesses with Kansas public higher education institutions who will support the business through engagement and mutual benefit. Prospective grant recipients who work with a public higher education institution to conduct research and development can receive a 50/50 matching grant up to $25,000 for research and development cost at the public institution.
All projects must be completed within one year of grant award agreement.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities across Kansas, they create local jobs and provide much needed access to goods and services, while also shaping the identity of their communities. The opportunity to offer these grants is paramount to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to research and development.”
Lt. Governor David Toland
This grant program is open to Kansas registered businesses headquartered in Kansas with 50 or fewer full-time employees with at least 60% of its workforce in Kansas (including contracted staff). For every dollar of Small Business Research & Development Acceleration Grant, the company must contribute $1.00 of its own resources. The maximum grant award amount is $25,000 and a Kansas small business may receive one award per state fiscal year. Each award must be for a different product or service.
In-kind matches must be approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce and be included in the grant application. Up to 50 percent of the match may be an In-kind contribution if it is provided by a public higher education institution.
Applications are accepted throughout the year but are reviewed and awarded quarterly.
Allowable costs include prototype development, testing, validation, supply chain analysis, market analysis, regulatory approval testing, manufacturing molds, materials related to research, and development activity.
Up to $5,000 can be used to pay a student intern for work related to the proposed project.
Non-allowable costs include travel, meals, conference registrations, direct sales and marketing, publication costs, hotels, normal and ongoing operating costs, university overhead, and the creation of new training programs.
“I’m excited to be able to offer these grant opportunities to our small business community,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Understanding the needs of small businesses throughout our state is just as important as focusing on our larger investments. Small businesses help our communities prosper.”
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