Oregon R&D Grants & Resources
An interactive guide to competitive and entitlement R&D funding for Oregon businesses.
Federal SBIR/STTR Programs
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive federal grants that encourage small businesses to engage in R&D with the potential for commercialization.
- Phase I (Proof of Concept): ~$50,000 - $275,000
- Phase II (Technology Development): ~$750,000 - $1.8 million+
- Focus: High-risk, high-reward technological innovation.
Business Oregon SBIR/STTR Support
To help Oregon companies compete for federal awards, Business Oregon offers state-level support grants. These are competitive and designed to supplement the federal programs.
- Phase 0/00 Grants: Up to $5,000 to help pay for grant writers, consultants, or other costs associated with *preparing* a federal SBIR/STTR application.
- Matching Grants (Phase I): Up to $50,000 to match a federally-awarded Phase I grant.
- Matching Grants (Phase II): Up to $100,000 to match a federally-awarded Phase II grant.
University Innovation Research Fund (UIRF)
This state fund provides matching funds for federal or other grants that support innovation and commercialization of technology from Oregon's public universities and OHSU. It's designed to help university-linked R&D projects secure large-scale funding.
- Requirement: Projects must require a match of at least $250,000.
- Focus: Must have a direct or potential connection to economic development in Oregon.
Commercialization Gap Fund (CGF)
This fund, managed by Business Oregon, is designed to bridge the early-stage funding gap for science and research-based innovations. It helps companies in targeted industries advance their technology toward commercialization.
USDA Rural Business Development Grants
This federal program provides grants to entities (like public bodies or non-profits) to support economic development and job creation in rural areas. Funds can be used for projects like feasibility studies and business planning, which can be essential for R&D-focused businesses.
Learn more →Oregon R&D Tax Credit for Semiconductors
This is the primary R&D-specific entitlement program available in Oregon, effective January 1, 2024. It is *not* a grant but a tax credit you are entitled to if you meet the qualifications.
- Eligibility: Only for "qualified semiconductor companies" conducting qualified research in Oregon.
- Credit Amount: 15% of qualified research expenses that exceed a base amount.
- Maximum Credit: Up to $4 million per year.
- Refundable: The credit is partially refundable for companies with fewer than 3,000 Oregon employees (e.g., 75% refundable for companies with <150 employees).
Note: Oregon's *general* R&D tax credit expired in 2017. This new credit is specific to the semiconductor industry.
Federal R&D Tax Credit
In addition to any state-level incentives, Oregon businesses can also claim the federal R&D tax credit (formally the Credit for Increasing Research Activities). This is a valuable incentive that rewards companies for investing in research and development to improve products, processes, or software.
Learn more →Business Oregon
The state's economic development agency. They are the primary contact for many state-level grants and business support programs, including the SBIR/STTR matching funds and the Commercialization Gap Fund.
Visit Business Oregon →Oregon SBDC Network
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network offers free, confidential advising and resources to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. They provide critical support for grant proposals, including:
- Advising on SBIR/STTR proposals.
- Editing and review of draft proposals.
- Help navigating the requirements of federal applications.
VertueLab
VertueLab is a nonprofit focused on supporting climate-tech and cleantech startups. They are a key resource in Oregon for entrepreneurs applying for SBIR/STTR grants, providing guidance and support to navigate the complex application process, often at no cost.
Visit VertueLab →Innovate Collaborate Oregon (ICOregon)
A resource hub that lists various funding opportunities and innovation-focused news for the state. A good place to check for new and emerging grant programs.
See funding opportunities →Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is one of the largest Specialist R&D Tax Credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D Tax Credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D Tax Credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years.
Swanson Reed’s Oregon office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Medford, Springfield and Corvallis.
Swanson Reed hosts daily free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please click here or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
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What is the R&D Tax Credit?
The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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R&D Tax Credit Preparation Services
Swanson Reed is one of the only companies in the United States to exclusively focus on R&D tax credit preparation. Swanson Reed provides state and federal R&D tax credit preparation and audit services to all 50 states.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call or email our CEO, Damian Smyth on (800) 986-4725. Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of our national R&D tax credit specialists at a time that is convenient for you.
R&D Tax Credit Audit Advisory Services
creditARMOR is a sophisticated R&D tax credit insurance and AI-driven risk management platform. It mitigates audit exposure by covering defense expenses, including CPA, tax attorney, and specialist consultant fees—delivering robust, compliant support for R&D credit claims. Click here for more information about R&D tax credit management and implementation.
Our Fees
Swanson Reed offers R&D tax credit preparation and audit services at our hourly rates of between $195 – $395 per hour. We are also able offer fixed fees and success fees in special circumstances. Learn more at https://www.swansonreed.com/about-us/research-tax-credit-consulting/our-fees/
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