(a) The department may award a "WV Phase Zero Grant" of $2500 upon submission of a Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal or Fast track SBIR/STTR proposal. The WV Phase Zero grant shall be remitted to the small business upon notification from the granting agency of the receipt of a submission for an SBIR/STTR Phase I or SBIR/STTR fast track application. The small business must provide satisfactory evidence to the department of the notification of receipt. A small business may receive only one WV Phase Zero Grant per year. A small business may receive only one WV Phase Zero Grant with respect to each federal proposal submission; resubmissions of unsuccessful applications are not eligible. Over its lifetime, a small business may receive a maximum of five WV Phase Zero awards. A grant recipient may assign an award only upon the prior written consent of the department.

(b) The department may award grants to match funds received by a small business through a SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal up to a maximum of $100,000 paid in two remittances. Fifty percent of the award under this subsection shall be remitted to the small business upon receipt of the SBIR/STTR Phase I award and an application to the department for the funds. The remaining fifty percent of the award under this subsection shall be remitted to the small business upon submission by the small business of a Phase II application to the funding agency, acceptance of the Phase I report by the funding agency, and application to the department for the funds. A small business may receive only one grant under this subsection per year. A small business may receive only one grant under this subsection with respect to each federal proposal submission. Over its lifetime, a small business may receive a maximum of five awards under this subsection. A grant recipient may assign the award only upon the prior written consent of the department.

(c) The department may award grants to match the funds received by a small business through a SBIR/STTR Phase II proposal up to a maximum of $100,000 per year for up to two years, after application to the department. The second remittance may be made to the small business on the one-year anniversary of the first matching remittance under this subsection, if applicant applies for the funds with documentation from the agency indicating that the grant is to continue for a second year. A small business may receive only one grant under this subsection per year. A small business may receive only one award under this subsection with respect to each federal proposal submission. Over its lifetime, a small business may receive a maximum of five awards under this subsection. A grant recipient may assign the award only upon the prior written consent of the department.