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Learn about SBIR/STTR programs, funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, application requirements, and the three-phase competitive process for commercialization. Explore the importance of technological innovation, project team composition, and product development. Get insights on how to navigate these federal funding programs successfully.
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What is the SBIR/STTR Program? • A ~$2.6 Billion+ Federal Funding Program • SBIR: Small Business Innovation Research • STTR: Small Business Technology Transfer
SBIR/STTR Program Overview Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): a set-aside program created by Congress in 1982 for small business concerns to engage in Federal R&D -- with potential for commercialization. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): a set-aside program created by Congress in 1992 to facilitate cooperative R&D between small business concerns and U.S. research institutions -- with potential for commercialization. 3.2% FY2019 0.45% FY2019
SBIR/STTR Budgets by Agency, FY 2016 SBIR: $2.5B in FY16 STTR: $361 Million Across all agencies Grants Contracts *NIH and ED also issue contracts; Within DOC, NIST issues grants and NOAA issues contracts
Funding for Commercialization • Debt • Equity • Non-Dilutive
Goal of SBIR/STTR Programs a.k.a. “Come Back When Source: SBIR and the Phase III Challenge of Commercialization: Report of a Symposium. NAS, 2007.
SBIR/STTR: Why? • Non-dilutive capital (‘free’ money) • Peer review • Validation of technology • Commercialization focus • Funds technology risk • Enables early transfer of technology and establishment of start-up companies
SBIR/STTR • It’s about more than just your cool science It’s not just another way to fund your research!
In order to apply for an SBIR you need… • A small business • An address • A company bank account
SBIR/STTR: What do you need to apply? • An eligible small business concern (SBC) • A product to be developed • Based on technological innovation • Company controlled R&D facilities* • R&D personnel employed at the SBC* • An SBIR/STTR open solicitation • Discipline, energy, enthusiasm, the ability to follow directions, patience…. *described at time of application; implemented by time of award
You must have a small business • For-profit • US-owned and controlled • < 500 employees • Located in the U.S. • R&D must be performed in the U.S. • Company-controlled research space • (other rules regarding ownership and size)
In order to receive an SBIR/STTR Award… • People • Facilities • Other Resources
You Need a Project Team • Company Employees* • Domain expertise • Senior personnel • Other personnel • Independent Consultants • Specialized expertise • Subcontractors • Employees of another company/institution • Advisors • May or may not be compensated • Available “as needed” * A Just in Time (JIT) requirement
You Need a Principal Investigator For an SBIR the PI MUST be employed by the small business and have 50% of their professional effort at the small business. Note: ‘Qualifications’ of the PI vary somewhat by Agency.
You Need Company Facilities* • The research work to be performed by the awardee is to be conducted in: • Company-controlled • Research space • Suitable to do the work proposed • Some work may be done in other facilities * A Just in Time (JIT) requirement
You need Other Resources • Other R&D Resources • Scientific Advisory Board • Commercialization/Business Resources • Company Management • Strategic Partners • Other funding/investors • Regulatory/Reimbursement guidance • Company Management Team • Community Support
PHASE I Feasibility Study • Award Guideline: $150K … varies by Agency … can rise to $225K • Duration: 6 months (SBIR)/12 months (STTR) • PHASE II Full Research, R&D to Prototype • Award Guideline: $1M (SBIR)/$1M (STTR) … varies by Agency … can rise to $1.5M, or more with waiver • Duration: 2 years • PHASE III Commercialization • Subsequent investment to achieve commercialization, or sale • Use of non-SBIR/STTR Funds SBIR/STTR: 3-Phase Competitive Program
The Basics of SBIR: 3 Phases 3 Years, ~$1,150,000+ Phase II: 2 Years, ~$1,000 K+ Phase I: 6 Months, $150K Phase III: Commercialization (no federal SBIR/STTR $$)
The Project Based on technological innovation: • What is the technological innovation that will enable the product to achieve the desired performance? • Is there risk of failure? • Will the product be revolutionary or evolutionary? • Not for commercializing technology that has already been developed, or one with low risk that only needs capital
SBIR/STTR is Hybrid R&D In Contrast to Basic Research • Hypothesis-driven but it’s not an open-ended investigation of a technical field • Principal Investigator is key, but only one member of a multidisciplinary team • Knowledge or technological capability is not an end in itself but a step toward a specific product or service
There must be a Product SBIR is always Product Development • What is the intended product? • What applications will it be used for? • Who will use it? • What has been done to date? • How much is left to do?
SBIR/STTR is Hybrid R&D In Contrast to Product Development • Despite the well-defined, ultimate product or service, the project does not follow a typical step-by-step development path • Funding for product development is contingent on a “proof-of-concept”/feasibility
Commercialization Questions Credible Commercialization Strategy • Is there a market identified? • Has a competitive analysis been done? • How will the company generate revenue? • What additional resources will be required to achieve commercialization? • Have sources of those resources been identified? • Strategic Partners • Sources of capital
Commercialization There is no such thing as the “Build it and they will come” Business Model
SBIR/STTR Program Overview Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): a set-aside program created by Congress in 1982 for small business concerns to engage in Federal R&D -- with potential for commercialization. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): a set-aside program created by Congress in 1992 to facilitate cooperative R&D between small business concerns and U.S. research institutions -- with potential for commercialization. 3.2% FY2018 0.45% FY2018
SBIR vs. STTR Relationship with a non-profit research institution: • SBIR allowsbut does not require the involvement of a non-profit research institution • STTR requires the involvement of a non-profit research institution The Applicant Organization is always the Small Business.
SBIR vs. STTR: Who does the work? ‘Outsourcing’ limits: • SBIR: < 33% in a Phase I and 50% in a Phase II • STTR: > 40% at small business and > 30% at partner non-profit research institution The applicant is always the small business
SBIR vs. STTR: Where is the PI? Principal Investigator rules: • SBIR: PI at least 51% employed at small business • STTR: At small business or non-profit research partner. Must have an ‘official relationship’ with the small business and at least 10% effort on the project* *Except for NSF
How do you choose ? • Does the agency offer STTR? • Is the topic offered under both mechanisms? • If yes to both above: • Do a resource inventory – people and facilities • What do I have? • What do I need? • Where will the work be done? • Where will I fill the gaps? • Talk to the Agency
Federal SBIR/STTR Agencies Funding Life Sciences • National Science Foundation • Department of Defense • USDA • Education • NASA • National Institutes of Health • …
NIH Mission NIH Mission To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.
NIGMS International Center Clinical Center NIH is organized into: 27 Separate Institutes & Centers (IC) each with different: • missions & priorities • budgets • ways of deciding which grants to fund
NIH SBIR/STTR Budget Allocations FY2017 3.2% SBIR $814M 0.45% STTR $114M Total FY17 $928M
Is NIH Interested in my project? • Search NIH Reporter • Read Omnibus Solicitation Research Topics and Program Descriptions Document • Identify relevant NIH Institute/Center • Contact primary SBIR/STTR program director • Confirm interest and relevance
NIH RePORT http://report.nih.gov/
NIH Reporter http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm
Who funds what I do? Searched “BALANCE”, SBIR/STTR Projects