2026 Federal Funding Summit: SBIR/STTR Opportunities for Maine Innovators

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Greene Block + Studios, 18 Main Street, Waterville, ME
• Custo: Free to attend. Includes coffee, pastries, and snacks. Space is limited.

Who Should Attend

This event is intended for entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, small businesses, and economic development professionals seeking to better understand federal funding programs and expand their innovation impact.

Download the flyer

On July 16, the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) will co-host the 2026 Federal Funding Summit (FFS) with Dirigo Labs and the Central Maine Growth Council at Greene Block + Studios in Waterville, Maine (18 Main Street). This full-day event runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and brings together Maine’s innovation ecosystem to explore federal SBIR/STTR funding opportunities.

The Summit introduces SBIR/STTR programs and helps startups, small businesses, and researchers better understand how to access federal research and development funding. Attendees will connect directly with federal agency representatives and technical assistance providers and gain practical guidance for developing competitive proposals.

Agenda and speaker details will be shared soon.

If you identify a fit with a specific agency and are unsure how to proceed, attend this Summit. The MTI Technical Assistance Program (TAP) team can help. TAP provides pro bono support that helps companies strengthen applications and improve their likelihood of securing federal funding.

What You’ll Gain

Participants will learn how to:

• How to identify the right Agency for your technology or idea
• Overview of more than $4 billion in federal research and development funding opportunities
• Navigate program requirements and develop strong, competitive applications
• Understand agency priorities, topics, and proposal expectations
• Access pro-bono Maine assistance, research partners, and commercialization resources
• Opportunities to discuss your innovation and research needs in 1:1 meetings with agency representatives

Co-Hosted by:

• Central Maine Growth Council
• Laboratórios Dirigo
• Instituto de Tecnologia Maine
• Maine Apex Accelerator