Grant Writing Voucher Program

In order to increase participation by Kansas-based small businesses in federal SBIR/STTR and other federal and foundation grant programs, the bioscience authority has established the grant writing voucher program to support entrepreneurs wanting to hire high-quality consultants to write and submit federal grant proposals.

Grant writing companies and skilled individual writing consultants abound, but their rates (routinely $8,000 to $24,000 per grant application, often with an additional success fee schedule included), may be beyond the financial means of many entrepreneurs. Also, skilled consultants are reluctant to work with start-up businesses that have minimal or precarious financial resources, because they may not get paid fully for the work they perform. The grant writing voucher program provides funds for up to half the cost of a grant writing consultant and assures the consultant full payment for services.

The bioscience authority has also established access to subscription databases for targeting foundations, governmental and corporate funding sources, so that a funding strategy can be developed for each client corporation or center program.

Program Objectives

• Provide entrepreneurs (public and private sector) with a vehicle for enhancing access to high quality grant writing consulting services;
• Provide entrepreneurs with customized strategic funding plans to leverage any federal or foundation funds they might be awarded;
• Increase the number of statewide grant submissions for federal and foundation grant programs; and
• Increase both the number of federal and foundation grants, and the total level of grants, awarded to Kansas-based organizations.

Program Operation

Kansas-based entrepreneurs interested in participating in this program are invited to submit the application materials listed below. Bioscience authority staff will complete a preliminary review of applications as soon as practical after receipt, within two weeks if possible. If additional information is required, a staff member will contact the applicant.

Eligibility for funding is limited to Kansas-based small businesses (SBA definition) having the following characteristics:

• Kansas-based bioscience companies or organizations working in one of the following North American Industry Classification System codes: 325411, 325412, 325413, 325414, 325193, 325199, 325311, 32532, 334516, 339111, 339112, 339113, 334510, 334517, 339115, 621511, 621512, 541710, 541380, 541940, 622110;
• At least 75 percent of the employees work in Kansas; and
• Have a minimum of one full-time employee.

Application for Grant Writing Voucher program