The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new, pilot program for their SBIR/STTR proposal submission process. On March 5th, the NSF implemented full “Submission Windows” for invited proposals (as opposed to specific deadlines). The first Submission Window is active now and will close on June 13, 2019. The next will open June 14th (the very next day) and closes on December 12, 2019 (the scheduled end for this pilot program).
Before you can submit a proposal, however, you must first complete and submit a “Project Pitch” webform. Then, if the NSF determines the idea is a good fit, you will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal.
The Project Pitch webform consists of company information, followed by short write-ups on:
- The technical innovation
- The technical objectives and challenges
- The market opportunity and
- The company and team
Details on the requirements of the form can be found here: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/project-pitch
Within three weeks of receiving the Project Pitch, a Program Director from the NSF will contact you with one of three responses:
- Good fit = you will receive an invitation to submit a proposal. You will also receive some guidance and feedback on things to work on for your proposal, and a likely timeline for the review process. You should note that the program director who sends you this information will be the one who makes the funding decision.
- Not a good fit = you will not receive an invitation to submit a proposal. You will be provided some detailed information regarding why your proposal is not a good fit for NSF. Remember, this does not mean you have a bad idea or business concept, it just means that your innovation is not a good fit for this particular NSF program.
- Incomplete pitch = a request for more information.
Learn more about Project Pitch during an informative webinar. Webinars are scheduled April 10 and 24, and May 8, all 2-3:30pm ET. Register for webinars