The FORGE Grants

Launched by Kansas Department of Commerce in 2024, the Kansas Fostering Opportunities for Research, Growth and Entrepreneurship (FORGE) program is designed to support and accelerate innovation activities within state universities to create new economic activity in Kansas. FORGE’s mission is to cultivate a dynamic culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across Kansas driven by our state’s higher education institutions. FORGE is also about bridging the gap between academia and industry. It’s about ensuring that groundbreaking research happening within our universities doesn’t just stay within the confines of the campus but makes its way to creating new wealth in Kansas.          

This pilot program supports projects that directly boost technology commercialization, fortify university-industry partnerships, launch faculty and student ventures, and expand industry access to university resources. FORGE aims to create tangible results that propel economic growth and solidify Kansas as a national leader in innovation. Universities are encouraged to think creatively and aggressively when proposing a project.

Pittsburg State University (PSU) has been awarded a portion of Kansas FORGE funds and is using those      funds to support and expand the development of its Foundry Network, a collaborative partnership with key communities, economic development entities, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders in Southeast Kansas (SEK). The Foundry Network will provide entrepreneurship services, market analyses, mini grants, technical assistance grants, product prototyping, grant writing services, and social media partnerships between PSU and towns, county/regional economic development organizations, small businesses, and members of the communities in which transformational work is being done. PSU has allocated $225,000 to provide capital and technical assistance grants.

As one of the stated goals of the funding opportunity is to “create or enhance ‘front door’ services to connect businesses/entrepreneurs to university resources,” this Foundry Network is the access point for      communities into PSU and its assets. Designed as a hub and spoke concept, rather than wait for those in the region to seek out the University, the Foundry Network will radiate out to the region and, in conjunction with partners, offer the services listed above. For example, if a city wants to know its pull factor, PSU can do a market analysis to create that report. If a business needs funding, such as a grant, PSU will offer access to resources to make that process much less daunting. In short, the Foundry Network is a way for PSU to serve the region’s entrepreneurial and business community in an impactful way.

The desired outcome of the FORGE Grant through the PSU Foundry Network is a stronger regional economy. A partnership between PSU and its region allows for the fostering of fledgling businesses the needed analysis to understand a community’s strengths and weaknesses, the ability to receive direct funding for operations/purchasing of equipment, and the creation of a map that highlights the regional industry clusters that lead to future economic development. Information drives decisions, and the more information the region has the better outcomes can be. PSU can offer professional and technical services that lead to economic development and a stronger outlook into the future of SEK.

Pittsburg State University will be responsible for oversight of the FORGE Grant Program and disbursement of funds will take place through the University’s Business Office. Pittsburg State’s Program Partner, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be responsible for program administration, marketing, application processing, underwriting, training and review/approval of financial and business documentation for disbursement approval. 

The application will be reviewed by SBDC Advisors to determine application completeness and preliminary eligibility. The application will then be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of individuals familiar with SEK, entrepreneurship and successful business operations. 

For additional information regarding the Forge Grant and/or the Foundry Network, please contact the following:

Pittsburg State University
Division of Research + Economic Development
foundry@pittstate.edu 

The SBDC will continue to work one-on-one with each grantee throughout the next twelve (12) months. If contacted by the SBDC, all awardees will be required to provide an update on their business operations and if additional employees have been hired or employees retained. A six- and twelve-month report will be created by the SBDC and PSU to document the success of the program and shared with the Kansas Department of Commerce.  By acceptance of the grant, the business agrees to comply with SBDC information requests that may include use of photos or business logos and information.

Below is the FORGE Grant Rubric, detailing the specific criteria the committee will use to evaluate and award grants. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the rubric to ensure alignment with the evaluation standards.

Forge Grant Rubric