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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Facts about SBIR
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a
highly competitive three-phase award system which provides
qualified small businesses with opportunities to propose innovative
ideas that meet specific research and research and development
needs of the Federal government. Enacted in 1982 as part of
the Small Business Innovation Development Act, (and then reauthorized
in 2000), Federal agencies with more than $100 million in
extramural R&D were required to allocate a percentage
of their budgets exclusively for small businesses. This set-aside
began in 1983 at 0.2% and is currently 2.5% resulting in the
availability of approximately $1.6 billion in fiscal year
2001 to R&D small businesses.
Objectives of SBIR
- Stimulate technological innovation
- Strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting Federal
research and development needs
- Increase private sector commercialization of innovations
derived from Federal research and development.
Participating
Federal Agencies
Small Business Eligibility
- 500 or fewer employees
- American-owned and independently operated
- For profit
Three Phases
SBIR is a three-phase program of which two are Federally funded.
Phase I is a feasibility study to evaluate the proposed project's
technical merit for which an awardee may receive a maximum
of $100,000 for approximately six months. Phase II is the
principal R&D effort which expands on the Phase I results.
This two-year project may receive up to $750,000 in funding.
Only Phase I awardees are eligible to compete for Phase II
funds. Phase III is the commercialization of the Phase II
results and moves the innovation from the laboratory to the
marketplace. This requires use of private sector or other
non-SBIR funding. Some agencies do provide follow-up "Phase
IIB" and/or matching funds to assist with commercialization
activities.
Evaluation Criteria
Scientific and technical quality and innovativeness of the
idea and the significance of the scientific or technical challenge
Ability to carry out the project, i.e. qualifications of
the principal investigator and other key personnel, adequacy
of facilities and equipment, soundness of work plan
The impact as evidenced by technical and/or economic benefits,
the likelihood that the work would lead to a marketable product,
or the likelihood the project could attract further funding.
Submission
Each year the ten participating agencies issue program solicitations
describing the technical areas for which they are interested.
The solicitations, their release and due dates, and submission
instructions are available at each
agency website.
Assistance
Operating procedures vary between the agencies, so it is wise
to become familiar with the agencies by viewing
their websites and/or contacting them as appropriate.
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) website also provides
information about both SBIR and STTR programs at http://www.sba.gov/sbir/.
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