1. The federal Small business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs annually award over $2.4 billion in contracts and grants to small businesses to carry out high risk technology application development projects addressing both government and commercial needs.

2. MS-FAST Mission The Mississippi Federal & State Technology Partnership Program’s (MS-FAST) aim is to provide encouragement and assistance to Mississippi’s small high-tech businesses in participating in the federally funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and the commercialization of technologies developed by businesses as a result of these programs.

3. Goal The goal of MS-FAST is to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small businesses in Mississippi.

4. Partners MS-FAST is lead by The University of Southern Mississippi working with its Mississippi Research Consortium members: Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, and The University of Mississippi Medical Center. Partnering with MS-FAST and providing financial support for the MS-FAST “Phase 0” program is the Mississippi Technology Alliance.

5. Its weekly e-mail MS FAST SBIR News Alert! service; Services Its identification of university faculty, I.P. and resources that may help strengthen an SBIR/STTR project; Its “Phase 0” program providing funding for development and submission of a Phase I proposal; Its free Phase I proposal development assistance and reviewing services; MS-FAST assist companies via: Its weekly e-mail MS FAST SBIR News Alert! service; Its free Phase I proposal development assistance and reviewing services; Its “Phase 0” program providing funding for development and submission of a Phase I proposal; Its identification of university faculty, I.P. and resources that may help strengthen an SBIR/STTR project; Its identification of Phase III commercialization resources, markets, and opportunities.

6. Contact To learn more about how the MS-FAST Program can help your company compete in the federal SBIR/STTR programs contact: Joe Graben, MBA Director – USM/BIAC Phone: (228) 688-2280 E-mail: Joseph.Graben@usm.eduJoseph.Graben@usm.edu "This U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Cooperative Agreement is partially funded by the SBA. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis."