South Carolina Research Authority
South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public charity based in Columbia, South Carolina. Chartered by the state legislature in 1983, it supports research, academia, entrepreneurs, and industry through grants, coaching, investment via its affiliate SC Launch Inc., and facilities for technology startups and academic institutions.
South Carolina Research Authority at a glance
In short: South Carolina Research Authority gave $3.5M across 47 grants in 2023 (avg $74K), mostly in South Carolina. 60% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $3,461,583
- +27.0% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 47
- -6.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $73,651
- +35.1% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $101,459,439
- -3.2% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (28 of 47, 2023)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to South Carolina Research Authority
- How to Apply
-
Startups and founders can submit an interest form to be considered for support and funding. For the Startup Grant, interested applicants should contact their assigned Relationship Manager; eligible member companies are invited to apply by their assigned manager.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1000 Catawba Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 733-9069
Website: https://scra.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from South Carolina Research Authority
Industry Partnership Fund (IPF) Tax Credit Program
South Carolina Research Authority
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
SACT Grant (SCRA-Academic Collaboration Team Grant)
South Carolina Research Authority
Amount
Up to $860,000 (Track 1: Lab to Market); Up to $640,000 (Track 2: Capacity Building)
Deadline
Deadline not published
SC Launch Inc. Investment Program
South Carolina Research Authority
Amount
Typically up to $200,000 or more per round; seed-stage through Series B
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Who South Carolina Research Authority funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Clemson University ($693K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 250 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SCRA describes its work as supporting South Carolina’s innovation economy. Its website requires Startup Grant applicants to meet a South Carolina location or employee threshold, and all 2023 grant dollars were reported for South Carolina recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
Cities
Is South Carolina Research Authority open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 28 of 47 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $125K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $2.7M (2022) to $4.6M (2019). In 2023 it made 47 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Demonstration/SACT | $693,367 |
| SC Launch Inc Columbia, SC | Support Services | $500,000 |
| University of South Carolina Columbia, SC | Academic Matching/SACT/Strategic Alignment | $484,477 |
| Clemson University Research Foundation Clemson, SC | Academic Matching/Strategic Alignment | $110,000 |
| Francis Marion University Florence, SC | SACT | $96,239 |
| Incora Health Inc Greenville, SC | Project Dev./Acceleration | $75,000 |
| Secure Process Intelligence LLC Fort Mill, SC | Project Dev./Acceleration | $75,000 |
| 3Key Digital Marketing LLC Simpsonville, SC | Acceleration | $50,000 |
| Algistor Inc Columbia, SC | Demonstration | $50,000 |
| Baleen Solutions LLC Summerville, SC | Acceleration | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with South Carolina Research Authority?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing narrative reports that approximately 83% of SCRA’s expenses for the year ended June 30, 2023, were related to program services.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $101,459,439 | $16,234,461 | $15,986,496 | $3,461,583 | 47 | $952,026 |
| 2022 | $104,791,332 | $17,524,075 | $15,394,736 | $2,726,562 | 50 | $1,379,801 |
| 2021 | $84,250,804 | $18,851,513 | $15,687,749 | $4,146,807 | 33 | $699,943 |
| 2020 | $82,217,770 | $12,670,450 | $14,221,987 | $4,350,741 | 57 | $1,075,112 |
| 2019 | $84,054,884 | $12,285,629 | $14,456,920 | $4,550,321 | 63 | $1,691,729 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
SCRA’s mission is to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship, and industry. Its stated focus areas are advanced manufacturing and materials, information technology, life sciences, and clean tech, sustainability, and resilience.
SCRA’s programs support startups, institutions of higher education, and researchers working with industry collaborators. Its grants include support for commercialization milestones, translational research, technology trials, and academic-industry research teams. Among its grantees, Clemson University Research Foundation describes its mission as generating research funding opportunities to advance Clemson discoveries into products and services for public use and benefit. MUSC Foundation for Research Development says it supports MUSC’s educational, research, and healthcare mission, fosters collaboration with business and industry, and advances healthcare-related economic development.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2023, SCRA reported 47 grants totaling $3,461,583. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $693,367, with a median of $50,000. The largest listed grants were $693,367 to Clemson University for Demonstration/SACT; $500,000 to SC Launch Inc. for support services; $484,477 to the University of South Carolina for Academic Matching/SACT/Strategic Alignment; $110,000 to Clemson University Research Foundation for Academic Matching/Strategic Alignment; and $96,239 to Francis Marion University for SACT. All grant dollars were reported for recipients in South Carolina.
SCRA’s website lists rolling opportunities including Startup Grants of up to $25,000, Academic Startup Grants of up to $25,000, Acceleration Grants of up to $50,000, Federal Matching Grants of up to $50,000, and Academic Matching Grants of up to $15,000. It says eligible member companies are invited to apply by their assigned manager and that membership does not guarantee funding. The Startup Grant requires an active SCRA Member Company; eligibility includes registration as a for-profit business with the South Carolina Secretary of State and a South Carolina principal place of business or at least 51% of full-time-equivalent employees in the state. The grant may be used for specified commercialization-related purposes; rent, licensing fees, legal fees, reimbursement of past expenses, and profit or fee are excluded. SCRA’s website also describes a SACT award cycle with the next request for applications released in 2023; that cycle is past. The Tech Catalyst Fund application period listed for May 27–June 25, 2026, is also past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Robert Quinn as Executive Director. Other listed officers and directors include Cole Dudley, Director SC Industry Solutions; John Sircy, Director of Finance & Administration; Matthew Bell, Director SC Launch; William L. Macilwinen and Steve Johnson, Senior Investment Managers; Russell Cook, Director SC Academic Innovations; Jim Doolittle, Director SC EPSCoR; Derek Willis, Senior Investment Manager; and Randall S. Cutts, Director SC Facilities.
South Carolina Research Authority is led by Robert Quinn, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 10 of 22 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Robert Quinn
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$260K (2019) → $326K (2023)
Don Herriott
Chairman
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cole Dudley
Director Sc Industry Solutions
Director Sc Ventures → Director Sc Industry Solutions, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$173K (2019) → $214K (2023)
John E Sircy
Director of Finance & Administrator
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$116K (2019) → $192K (2023)
Randall S. Cutts
Director Sc Facilities
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$136K (2019) → $159K (2023)
Jim Doolittle
Director & Sc Epscor
Director Epscor → Director & Sc Epscor, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$172K (2022) → $182K (2023)
Matthew Bell
Director Sc Launch
New on the 2023 filing
20 hrs/week
$196K (2023)
Russell Cook
Director Sc Academic Innovations
New on the 2023 filing
40 hrs/week
$182K (2023)
David Cole
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James P. Clements
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
L. Fred Carter
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jo Watson Hackl
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lou Kennedy
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rep Jason Elliott
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Distlerath
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Conyers
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Terry
Director of Finance & Administrator
New on the 2023 filing
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Amiridis
Trustee
New on the 2023 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Senator Larry Grooms
Trustee
New on the 2023 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek Willis
Senior Investment Manager
Sc Launch Regional Manager → Sc Launch Investment Manager, 2022
Sc Launch Investment Manager → Senior Investment Manager, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$143K (2019) → $168K (2023)
Steve Johnson
Senior Investment Manager
Sc Launch Regional Manager → Sc Launch Investment Manager, 2022
Sc Launch Investment Manager → Senior Investment Manager, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$150K (2019) → $180K (2023)
William L. Macilwinen
Senior Investment Manager
Sc Launch Regional Manager → Sc Launch Investment Manager, 2022
Sc Launch Investment Manager → Senior Investment Manager, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$164K (2019) → $187K (2023)
Former officers (42)
- Former: Bryant Barnes (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: David M Smalls (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Gregory Atkins (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Harris Pastides (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Heather Simmons Jones (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Peter G Dunphy (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Hayes Jr. (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Senator Nikki Setzler (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Stella Mercado (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sue-Ann Shannon (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Vahid Majidi (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Catherine Hayes (2020–2022) — Industry Manager & Manufacturing
- Former: Jill Davis (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Kristen Manske (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Matt Bell (2022) — Director Sc Launch
- Former: Maurice Scherrens (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sec Harry Lightsey III (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sohail Malik (2022) — Director Sc Acad Innovations
- Former: Will Cruz (2022) — Sc Launch Regional Manager
- Former: James E. Clark (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jonathan M. Zucker (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Keith Shah (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Nadim Aziz (2019–2021) — Director Epscor
- Former: Pamela Lackey (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: The Honorable Bobby M. Hitt (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Bob Caslen (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Krista L Newkirk Esq. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Johnson Interim (2021) — Executive Director Sc Launch & Inc
- Former: Yolanda Lewis (2021) — Director of Human Resources
- Former: Charles K Watt (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jill Sorenson (2019–2020) — Director of Sc Launch
- Former: Christine Dixon-Thiesi (2020) — Director of Sc Academic Innov
- Former: Senator Nikki G Setzl (2020) — Trustee
- Former: The Hon Robert WHaye (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Christine Dixon-Thiesing (2019) — Director of Sc Academic Innov
- Former: George W Fletcher (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Gregg F Morton (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Rep Brian White (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Robert L Wyatt (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Tim Hofferth (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Todd Voss (2019) — Trustee
- Former: William M Housley (2019) — Sc Launch Regional Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $326K, to Robert Quinn (Executive Director). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about South Carolina Research Authority
How much does South Carolina Research Authority give each year?
South Carolina Research Authority gave $3.5M across 47 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. In 2022 it gave $2.7M across 50 grants.
What is South Carolina Research Authority's typical grant size?
South Carolina Research Authority's median grant in 2023 was $50,000, and its average grant was $73,651, across 47 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from South Carolina Research Authority that year got $39K on average.
Where does South Carolina Research Authority give grants?
South Carolina Research Authority gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Greenville, SC (10 grants), Charleston, SC (8 grants), Columbia, SC (6 grants) and Clemson, SC (2 grants).
Does South Carolina Research Authority give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 47 grants with a stated purpose on South Carolina Research Authority's 2023 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Acceleration" (13 grants), "Project Development Fund" (10 grants) and "Demonstration" (5 grants).
Who are South Carolina Research Authority's largest grantees?
South Carolina Research Authority's largest 2023 grantees include Clemson University ($693,367), SC Launch Inc ($500,000) and University of South Carolina ($484,477), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is South Carolina Research Authority?
South Carolina Research Authority reported $101.5M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $16.2M.
What does South Carolina Research Authority fund?
SCRA’s mission is to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship, and industry. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from South Carolina Research Authority?
Startups and founders can submit an interest form to be considered for support and funding. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is South Carolina Research Authority's EIN?
South Carolina Research Authority's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0736144. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 12, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Live grants for the work South Carolina Research Authority funds
Science & Technology Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in South Carolina Research Authority's focus areas in our free grants database
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South Carolina Research Authority down — hundreds of funders to go?