Regional Innovation Clusters

Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC)
CFDA 59.067 Active Direct Payment (Specified Use)
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding
$9M FY2025
$10M
FY24
$9M
FY25

Program Objective

The purpose of this program is to connect and expand regional innovation clusters to align federal resources – including SBA’s resource provider network, lending and investing partners, business development programs and America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs – with existing state and local resources, regional strengths, and economic growth opportunities in the region and beyond to support small businesses in commercializing new technologies and reaching new markets, thereby positioning themselves and their regional economies for growth.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Small Business Person

Educational institutions, public or private organizations and businesses, individuals, State and local governments,
Indian tribes and lending and financial institutions and sureties that have the capability to provide the required
business assistance.

Beneficiaries

  • Small Business Person

Small business concerns as defined by industry size standards established by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

A technical evaluation panel reviews offers for this program based on a published evaluation criteria and makes a recommendation for award to the designated contracting officer. The contracting officer is warranted to make an award determination on behalf of the agency and may do so at his/her discretion.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Program details & compliance

Description

The purpose of this program is to connect and expand regional innovation clusters to align federal resources – including SBA’s resource provider network, lending and investing partners, business development programs and America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs – with existing state and local resources, regional strengths, and economic growth opportunities in the region and beyond to support small businesses in commercializing new technologies and reaching new markets, thereby positioning themselves and their regional economies for growth.

Mission Categories

Primary: Small Business

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Business training; business counseling/consulting; mentoring; technology transfer counseling/consulting; commercialization of existing research and development (R&D) counseling/consulting; engagement with federal agency’s Small Business Innovative Research & Development programs; support in obtaining Facility Clearance status and holding of security clearances; export readiness counseling/consulting; support for underserved communities; building networks and partnerships ; providing opportunities for accessing new resources and markets; and/or other defined services relevant to small businesses.

Required Documentation

Documentation to establish that all program eligibility criteria are met and that offeror is registered in the System for Award Management.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Contacts

Office of Investment and Innovation — Program Manager
202-856-7386
409 3rd St SW, Washington, DC 20416
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:36:05.