- 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. A 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.
Examples of projects across all three categories include, but are not limited to, biofuels and renewable fuels, building design/control systems, alternative energy (e.g. hydrogen, solar, wind, wave, tidal, biomass), power generation, biomass processing systems, energy efficiency, and soil quality improvement technologies.
- Who is eligible to apply?
Under the
2008 NCGBF Solicitation, eligible applicants must operate a small for-profit business (fewer than 100 employees) with its principal place of business located in North Carolina. Projects must be undertaken in a collaborative and innovative manner as appropriate. Applicants must commercialize any newly developed technologies and related intellectual properties developed during the performance period in a timely manner in relevant market sectors.
- 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.
- What documents are required for a NCGBF application?
A complete Application will contain the following documents:
1. A Notarized Application Certification Document *
2. A Notarized Location Certification Document *
3. Applicant’s Articles of Incorporation and by-laws, trust indenture, or partnership agreement
4. A Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Authorization
5. Proposal Cover Page Form (NCGBF-01) *
5. Project Summary Form (NCGBF-02) *
6. Summary Budget Form (NCGBF-SBF) *
* Applicants will download these forms in the “Required Supporting Documents” section in sciGrants.
- How will I submit the documents?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Some documents are required in both Hard and Electronic form. Applicants MUST submit application documents in the following form and order:
Original Signed Hard Copy |
|
Electronic (PDF) Copy |
| 1. A Notarized Application Certification Document |
|
1. Proposal Cover Page Form (NCGBF-01) |
| 2. A Notarized Location Certification Document |
|
2. Project Summary Form (NCGBF-02) |
| 3. Applicant's Articles of Incorporation and by- laws, trust indenture, or partnership agreement |
|
3. Applicant's Combined Proposal Documents (see instructions below and in Solicitation) |
| 4. A Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Authorization (Applicant Signature NOT Required) |
|
4. Summary Budget Form (NCGBF-SBF) |
| 5. Proposal Cover Page Form (NCGBF-01) |
|
NOTE: Refer to page 8, section IX of the 2008 NCGBF Solicitation for the specific proposal preparation guidelines. |
| 6. Summary Budget Form (NCGBF-SBF) |
|
- How does the review process take place?
Applications meeting all the requirements established in the 2008 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 for technical merit and feasibility; personnel experience and qualifications and facilities available for the project; effectiveness of the proposed work plan; commercial merit and market opportunity; budget realism; and economic development merit.
- What is the maximum award amount?
NCGBF awards may not exceed $100,000, as the programmatic intent is to maximize the impact across a broad array of promising projects. Therefore, applications requesting significantly less than the $100,000 maximum amount are strongly encouraged. The maximum amount of funding available for all awards under this solicitation is $950,000.
- 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 2008 NCGBF Solicitation, who can I contact?
