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Innovation Matching Grants (NYSTAR)
R&D / Tech · Empire State Development (NYSTAR) · NY
Innovation Matching Grants is a New York State program run by Empire State Development's NYSTAR division that provides up to $200,000 in matching funds to New York companies that have already received a federal SBIR or STTR award.
Innovation Matching Grants is a New York State funding program run by Empire State Development through its NYSTAR division. The program is designed to supplement federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards with additional state matching funds, providing up to $200,000 in supplemental support to New York-based research and development companies.
This program matters to small-business owners in the R&D and tech space because federal SBIR/STTR awards, while valuable, often don't cover the full cost of scaling a research project or bringing a technology closer to commercialization. State matching funds like this one can help extend that runway without requiring a company to give up equity, since the funding is structured as a grant rather than a loan.
To qualify, a company must already have received a federal SBIR or STTR award and be based in New York State. The funding instrument is a grant, meaning it generally does not need to be repaid, though applicants should confirm specific terms and conditions directly with Empire State Development.
The deadline is described as rolling, tied to when a company receives its federal SBIR/STTR award, rather than a fixed annual date. Because program details such as exact award amounts, open funding rounds, and eligibility requirements can change, applicants should confirm the current status of the program directly at the official Empire State Development website before applying or making business decisions based on this listing.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a grant, funded through New York State's Innovation Matching Grants program.
Do I have to repay the funds?
Grants generally do not require repayment, but confirm specific terms at the official source.
Who is eligible?
New York companies that have already received a federal SBIR or STTR award.
How much funding can I get?
Up to $200,000 in state matching funds, according to the award amount note.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is rolling, tied to when a company receives a federal SBIR or STTR award.
Who runs this program?
Empire State Development, through its NYSTAR division.
What state is this available in?
New York only.
What type of business does this fund?
R&D and technology companies working on SBIR/STTR-funded projects.
Where do I apply?
At the official Empire State Development website, https://esd.ny.gov/.
Is the funding amount guaranteed to be $200,000?
No, $200,000 is described as an upper limit; confirm the current award amount at the official source.
Is this program open year-round?
It appears to be rolling based on federal award timing, but confirm current open rounds at the official source.
Is the award taxable?
This is not specified in the available information; confirm at the official source.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated-state-2026. GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with Empire State Development (NYSTAR); always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.