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.
More on STI
The North Carolina Office of Science, Technology & Innovation offers the following grant programs to help fund innovative science and technology companies in the state:
- 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 |
|---|---|
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| See Press Release | See Press Release |
| University Innovation Council | Innovation-to-Jobs Working Group |
|---|---|
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See more innovation reports.
Strategy
| Southeast Energy Innovation Leadership | Clean Energy and Clean Transportation |
|---|---|
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| Carolinas' Energy Economy Survey | NC In the Next Tech Tsunami |
|---|---|
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| 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.
The 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
Follow the NC Office of Science, Technology & Innovation on Twitter at @NCSTI.
The resources below represent key components of North Carolina's science, technology, and innovation-based ecosystem.
Government Departments & Offices
- NC Governor’s Office
- NC General Assembly
- NC (State of NC) Page
- NC Department of Commerce
- NC Office of Information Technology Services
- NC Secretary of State - Business Registration
- NC State Energy Office
- NC Broadband
- NC State Energy Profile
Business & Entrepreneurship Support
- NC Biotechnology Center
- NC Business Incubation Association
- Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)
- Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
Associations, Institutes, & Think Tanks
- NC Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR)
- NC Economic Development Association (NCEDA)
- NC Technology Association (NCTA)
- NC STEM Center
- NC Science Leadership Association
- Institute for Emerging Issues
- Kenan Institute of Engineering, Technology & Science
- MCNC
- National Consortium for Data Science (managed by RENCI)
- Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI)
- Research Triangle Institute International (RTI International)
Educational Organizations & Centers
- University of North Carolina (all 16 UNC institutions)
- REACH NC (Research, Engagement and Capabilities Hub of NC)
- NC School of Science and Mathematics
- NC Independent Colleges and Universities
- NC Community College System
- NC BioNetwork
- NC Science House
- NC Clean Energy Technology Center
- FIRST North Carolina Robotics
- NC Mathematics and Science Education Network
- NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center)
Science Museums
- NC Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative
- Discovery Place
- Museum of Life and Science
- NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Research Parks
- Carolina North (Millennial Campus at UNC-Chapel Hill)
- Centennial Campus (Millennial Campus at NCSU)
- Charlotte Research Institute (Millennial Campus at UNC Charlotte)
- CREST Research Park (Millennial Campus at UNC Wilmington)
- Gateway University Research Park (Joint Millennial Campus of UNCG & NC A&T)
- Millennial Initiative at Western Carolina University (Millennial Campus at WCU)
- NC Research Campus
- Wake Forest Innovation Quarter
- Research Triangle Park