The highly competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal grant funding programs are designed to fund product development at small technology-based companies.
The SBIR program funds high risk, forward-looking research that meets the needs of the eleven participating government agencies. First round funding (for proof of concept) is usually capped at $70,000-100,000 for 6 months, and second round funding (for development) is usually capped at $500,000-750,000 for up to 2 years, depending on the agency. NIH does not have firm caps on amount or length of time. SBIR Qualifications: American-owned, independently operated, for-profit company Subcontract with non-profit research institution allowed but not mandated Principal investigator must have primary employment with company Company size limited to 500 employees
STTR is a similar funding opportunity for small businesses pursuing high risk technology. Only five agencies participate in the STTR program.
Primary STTR differences: Mandates collaboration with a US-based non-profit research institution Some agencies, like NIH, do not stipulate that the principal investigator be primarily employed by the small business
View slides (Adobe Acrobat format) from the SBIR 101 Seminar, held on January 10th and 11th, 2008. Topics covered in this primer include: - What Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants are and which agencies provide them
- How to search for SBIR/STTR topics
- Best practices/tips on winning SBIR/STTRs
- Eligibility requirements
- Funding amounts and timelines
- The benefits of receiving an SBIR/STTR
- How NUCATS can help you
- Details of State of Illinois assistance and grant matching programs
The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization's PROPEL program sponsors intensive two day workshops every few months. The next workshop will be held September 15th-16th, 2008. Workshops include detailed training on: program eligibility, sources of funding and agency differences, understanding what reviewers look for, and step-by-step instruction on how to write each section of your proposal. The workshops cover all agencies, including Department of Defense, National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, with detailed emphasis on NIH. You can find more information at PROPEL's web site. NU faculty, students and staff: contact Jim Bray before registering for workshops for a potential discount.
SBIR.gov
The official SBIR/STTR government site. Find information on open and past solicitations and links to participating agencies.
SBIR Gateway
Another comprehensive SBIR/STTR resource site that provides the capability to search open and closed solicitations. State of Illinois Assistance Programs and Matching Funds
Click here to find out about how the State of Illinois will match 50% of a Phase I SBIR award, for a total of up to $50,000. The State will also pay for a consultant to work with you on your application. Narrated Presentation by NIAID
Click here to see a narrated presentation prepared by staff at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The tips and tactics are relevant to all NIH SBIR/STTR applications. You can also visit the main NIH SBIR/STTR program portal for more information. Greenwood Consulting Articles
Tips and tactics focused articles going back nearly a decade written by a prominent national SBIR/STTR consulting agency. SBIR Alerting Service
Sign up for a free biweekly email newsletter that provides information on open funding solicitations, agency announcements, and nationwide SBIR/STTR workshops and events. Only interested in learning about NIH SBIR/STTR announcements? You can subscribe to the NIH SBIR listserv.
Have a question about SBIR/STTR grants that you can't find answered here? Looking for someone that has gone through the process or sits on a review panel to provide some advice? Let us help! Contact Jim Bray. | 
