- What type of grant is the NCGBF?
The NCGBF is a discretionary grant program. This means that applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis through a formal review process. An Advisory Committee composed of scientists, engineers, and qualified experts drawn from both inside and outside the Board of Science and Technology (including industry, academia, and government agencies) will conduct the formal review process.
- What is the purpose of the NCGBF?
To encourage small businesses with fewer than 100 employees to develop commercial innovations and applications in the following three designated priority areas:
1. Development of the biofuels industry in North Carolina,
2. Development of the green building industry in the North Carolina, and
3. Attraction and leverage of private sector investments and entrepreneurial growth in environmentally conscious clean technology and renewable energy products and businesses.
- Who is eligible to apply?
Under the
2010 NCGBF Solicitation, eligible applicants must be small for-profit businesses (with 100 or fewer employees), non-profit organizations, State agencies, and local governments to encourage the expansion of small- to medium-sized businesses with 100 or fewer employees that have innovative commercial technologies, products and services to grow a green economy in the State.
- If I live in a state other than North Carolina but my business is located in North Carolina, may I apply for the NCGBF?
If your principal place of business is located in North Carolina—which means North Carolina is where your business maintains its head office, where your businesse's financial records are kept, and where its senior management is located, as reported to the North Carolina Secretary of State —then, Yes, you may apply.
- When I apply for a D-U-N-S number, do I need a CFDA number?
No, you do not need a CFDA number. Please visit
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do and visit the link to request your D-U-N-S Number via the Web. If one does not exist for your business location, it can be created within 1 business day. Once you fill out the required information, you will receive a free D-U-N-S number.
- How does the review process take place?
Applications meeting all the requirements established in the Solicitation and submitted by the specified closing date will be reviewed on a competitive basis, based on an assessment of which projects have the best potential for commercialization of a good or service in a priority area. Applications will be ranked based on the Evaluation Criteria outlined in the solicitation. The Advisory Committee then will discuss each proposal that ranks above a certain minimum score. Based on the Advisory Committee's recommendations, the Executive Director of the NC Board of Science and Technology will determine which applications receive awards.
- What is the maximum award amount?
NCGBF awards may not exceed $500,000; however, most awards will be considerably smaller. To maximize the Program’s impact across a broad array of promising Projects, proposals requesting significantly less than the $500,000 maximum amount are strongly encouraged and will receive greater priority. The level of review and scrutiny given to a proposal will be proportional to the amount requested – i.e., proposals requesting larger amounts will receive greater review and scrutiny above and beyond the base level of review given to all proposals. Moreover, for proposals requesting more than $250,000, in-person presentations may be required in addition to written proposals. Applicants are strongly advised to request only as much funding as needed to execute the proposed Project.
- Are matching funds required?
No, matching funds are not required. However, matching funds are encouraged and will be considered as a factor in the evaluation of proposals.
Match/Cost Sharing Defined.
- If my business secures a NCGBF award, what is the next step?
Each applicant receiving an award will be required to enter a grant agreement that establishes the terms that govern the award, including types of expenses that can and cannot be paid with award funds, eligibility requirements for milestone payments, reporting requirements, and the like.
- Where can I find out more information concerning the NCGBF?
Please visit the
NC Green Business Fund site and refer to the current NCGBF Solicitation for general and specific proposal specifications, review criteria, and submission guidelines.
- If I still have specific questions after reading the NCGBF Solicitation, whom can I contact?
