Think Twice about Your NIH SBIR/STTR Project Title  

You may already have a title for your SBIR/STTR project, but we always suggest taking a second look at what you have to make sure that it really tells the full story of your project. The title of your project is important, and when your project is funded you will be living with it forever!

Your project title should describe the whole SBIR/STTR project all the way through Phases I, II and III, not just your Phase I, so it should not just describe the proof-of-concept stage of the project. Since the goal of an SBIR or STTR is always to develop a product that solves a problem, a good title will include both of those pieces of information: both the product (the innovation) and the problem it will solve (the significance).

Everything You Need to Know about SBIR/STTR Registrations

If you intend to apply for either an SBIR or STTR at any federal agency, you must first register with some databases/websites/web portals. The number and type of registrations will vary, depending on which agency(ies) to which you intend to apply, but three of them are the same across the board: 

1. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
2. System for Award Management (SAM) 
3. Small Business Administration’s Company Registration (sbir.gov)

All of these must be active by the time you submit your SBIR/STTR proposal(s). EIN and SAM may take weeks to finalize the registrations process, while sbir.gov can usually be completed in under an hour. All of these registrations are free to complete but be aware that there are many scammers who will promise to complete these registrations for you for a fee. We've seen them either incorrectly register companies (such that they can't submit their proposals), or not register them at all. We recommend that you start your registrations early, and then check them annually to ensure they're updated and active. The following is a breakdown of each registration process and what to expect:

AFWERX Open Topic 

What, Where, When?

Do you have an innovation that the Department of Air Force (DAF) needs, but they don’t have a specific topic that fits your technology? The Air Force has released their tentative schedule for Open Topics. Open Topics allow small businesses to submit their technology solutions in the proposal process and define how they think their solution will benefit the warfighter. 

During Phase I, feasibility and customer discovery are conducted during a 3-month period of performance during which the small business works to identify their Air Force end user (warfighter) and customer (program office). Once that’s done, their aim is to get the end user and customer to sign a Customer Memorandum documenting their intent to work with the small business on transitioning their technology to warfighters. 

NIH Announces Award Budget Hike for Its Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CRP)

The Award Budget for the NIH SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CRP) has been increased to $3,945,657 (from $3,421,062) total funding support, including direct costs (DC), indirect costs (IDC) and fee for the entire budget period. Exceptions include the following Institutes/Centers which have budget limitations for CRP applications below the $3,945,657 in total DC, IDC, and Fee for the entire budget period: NEI ($750,000); NHLBI ($500,000); and NICHD ($500,000 per year up to $1,500,000).

The Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CRP) Program provides additional technical assistance and late-stage research and development support not typically covered within small business awards to help products get to market. BBCetc can help you through the proposal planning, preparation, and application process for the application and as well as post award management for the use of funds. Learn More

From the Sources' Mouth

March 30

11:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT

FREE

Don’t miss your chance to hear directly from National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Program Director and Policy Liaison, Ben Schrag.

Known as America’s Seed Fund, NSF has helped startups and small businesses transform their ideas into marketable products and services. Focusing on high-risk, high-impact technologies — those that show promise but whose success hasn’t yet been validated — and each year, they award $200 million in funding to entrepreneurs across the country.

Join this overview of the NSF SBIR program and learn, from the source, what technologies they are looking for and what’s needed to submit a successful proposal. Following the presentation, there will be ample Q&A time with the presenter.

The session is ideal for technology-based entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses familiar with the SBIR/STTR programs who want to learn more. New to SBIR/STTR? Please view our on-demand webinars before joining our “From the Sources’ Mouth” training sessions.

BBCetc Training

Quick Notes

SAVE the DATES:

DOE’s 2023 Small Business Forum & Expo

July 11-12 in New Orleans

This event is specifically designed to connect small businesses with the Department’s national laboratories and program offices as well as the prime contractors, all of whom help advance the Agency’s missions. Save with early-bird rates when you register before April 30! More Information

NSF Virtual Office Hour featuring the New Safe and Inclusive Work Environments Plan Requirement

March 20, 2023, 3:00 - 4:00pm

On Zoom

Several solicitations from the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO) and Geological Sciences (GEO) will soon require the submission of a Safe and Inclusive Work Environments Plan that will be considered as part of the Broader Impacts criteria during the review process. More information

Fast Fact: Did you know that in an effort to speed up the contracting process, GSA assists the DOD with Phase III awards? Click here for more about GSA’s SBIR/STTR Programs.

SBIR/STTR

Funding Opportunities