The mission of the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation is
to improve the economic well‐being and quality of life of all North Carolinians
through advancing science, technology, and innovation.

To achieve this mission, the Office develops and administers policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry.

As staff to the Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, and working with organizations across the state, it identifies and communicates emerging opportunities in science and technology and prepares and publishes analyses outlining the competitive position of North Carolina’s businesses and research institutions in these areas.

The NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation conducts tactical programs (in the form of grant programs), strategic programs, and policy research & reports to advance economic growth in the state.

Winning More SBIRs/STTRs Awards Educational Events!

To learn about how to apply for and win SBIR/STTR awards, sign up for educational events sponsored by the One NC Small Business Program.

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The North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation offers the following grant programs to help fund innovative science and technology companies in the state:

One North Carolina Small Business Program Logo

One North Carolina Small Business Program

  • The SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program provides funding to help NC businesses apply for federal Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.
     
  • The SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program awards matching funds to NC businesses who have received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR award. The SBIR and STTR programs help small businesses develop and commercialize innovative new technologies.

To see the latest program solicitations, apply to the program, submit a report, or find information about the program in general, see One North Carolina Small Business Program.

To learn about the impacts of the program, see Program Impacts & Success Stories and the latest press release on awarded grants: 101 North Carolina Small Businesses Win Grants to Build Next-Generation Technologies (September 22, 2022).

To learn about the current program solicitations, see New Grant Funding Available for Tech-Oriented Small Businesses (October 31, 2022).

To learn about how to apply for and win SBIR/STTR awards, sign up for educational events sponsored by the One NC Small Business Program.

See highlights of how six program grantees are combating COVID-19.

The Office of Science, Technology & Innovation produces research and reports that focus on both innovation and strategy, and is responsible for producing the state's primary innovation barometer, Tracking Innovation. Recent reports from the Office include:

Innovation

NC Innovation Index Advancing Defense Innovation
Tracking Innovation PDF First Page

Advancing Defense Innovation PDF First Page

 See Press Release See Press Release 

 

University Innovation Council Innovation-to-Jobs Working Group
University Innovation Council

Innovation to Jobs

See more innovation reports.
 

Strategy

Southeast Energy Innovation Leadership Clean Energy and Clean Transportation
Southeast Energy Innovation Leadership PDF

Clean Energy and Clean Transportation PDF

 

Carolinas' Energy Economy Survey NC In the Next Tech Tsunami
Carolinas' Energy Economy Survey PDF

NC in the Next Tech Tsunami

See Press Release See Press Release

See more strategy reports.
 

A comprehensive list of the Office's policy research reports and files can be found here.

Innovation Hubs are dedicated spaces that bring together researchers, innovators, businesses, and entrepreneurs to fuel the advancement of science and technology. These Hubs serve as epicenters of innovation, research, and product commercialization. They also serve as anchors supporting the growth of local and regional innovation economies, providing high-wage careers as well as supplying our country and the world with novel solutions to our greatest threats.

Areas of focus and expertise include: Additional Areas of focus and expertise:
Advanced Agriculture & Nutrition Alternative & Renewable Energy
Advanced Manufacturing & Precision Metrology Biomedical & Health Sciences
Computer Science, Information Technology & Data Analytics Environmental Sciences
Marine Biotechnology Motorsports & Automotive Engineering
Nanoscience & Nanoengineering Pharmaceutical Research & Development

    North Carolina Innovation Hubs are spread across the state and range from traditional Science Parks to urban Innovation Districts with immersive mixed-use business, commercial, and residential development. 

    Interactive Map

    The map below provides links to the most prominent science-based innovation hubs in North Carolina.
    For best viewing, open the map in full screen.

    The North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation conducts strategic programs on specific, targeted programmatic activities to advance innovation:

    InnovateNC is a private-public partnership between Forward Cities, a national learning collaborative of communities committed to inclusive innovation, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Office of Science, Technology & Innovation, that helps communities and regions in North Carolina expand their innovation economy and foster greater economic inclusion.

    Southeast Energy Innovation Collaborative LogoThe Southeast Energy Innovation Collaborative is a partnership with the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation, E4 Carolinas and other energy organizations to advance innovation within the energy industry. Click here to see the initial report from the Collaborative.

    The North Carolina Opportunities in the Data Economy (NCODE) is joint project between the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation and the National Consortium for Data Science to explore opportunities to advance innovation within the data science industry. Click here to see the report from this effort.

    Executive Staff

    John Hardin, Ph.D.
    Executive Director
    919-814-4639
    jhardin@commerce.nc.gov

    David Kaiser
    Deputy Director
    919-814-4641
    david.kaiser@commerce.nc.gov

    Chris Schmidt
    Grants Manager
    919-814-4668
    chris.schmidt@commerce.nc.gov

    Josh Reding
    North Carolina STEM Policy Fellow
    919-814-4763
    joshua.reding@commerce.nc.gov

     

     

    NC STI Twitter AccountFollow the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation on Twitter at @NCSTI.