all about sbirs . . . and 8 tips to create a solid proposal

All about SBIRs . . . . . . and 8 tips for creating a solid proposal

© 2016 | 5 WAVES LLC | 5waves.co | All rights reserved

Small Business Innovation Research Also, STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer, and yes, they know the acronym doesn’t match the name )

US government program

Funding to small businesses for ideas that are: Innovative

Technical

Risky

Have commercial potential

It’s a grant; no equity, not a loan

What is SBIR?

Getting money: small business innovation research


Gov’t agency issues a solicitation One or more solicitations annually, depending on agency

Solicitations contain:• Topics of interest for proposals• Instructions and guidelines

Small business submits a proposal

Proposal is reviewed By experts in the field (i.e., “peer review”

By government program officer

Award decision is made

How does it work?



Phase I Initial proposals are all for “Phase I” funds• Typically between $100K - $225K, depending on agency• 6 – 12 months duration, depending on agency and SBIR or STTR

Proof of concept

Phase II R&D

Only successful Phase I projects may apply• Typically $500K to $1.5M• 24 month program

Phase III Commercialization

No SBIR/STTR funds available, but sometimes production $$ from agency

Three “phases”



Agency Approx amount

Duration (months)

Approx amount

Duration (months)

Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food & Agriculture 100,000$ 6 600,000$ 24Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology 100,000$ 6 300,000$ 24

Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 120,000$ 6 400,000$ 24Department of Defense 150,000$ 6 or 12 1,000,000$ 24

Department of Education 150,000$ 6 900,000$ 24Department of Energy 225,000$ 6 1,500,000$ 24

Department of Health and Human Services 150,000$ 6 or 12 1,000,000$ 24Department of Homeland Security 100,000$ 6 750,000$ 24

Department of Transportation 150,000$ 6 1,000,000$ 24Environmental Protection Agency 100,000$ 6 300,000$ 24

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 125,000$ 6 or 12 750,000$ 24National Science Foundation 225,000$ 6 or 12 750,000$ 24

PHASE I PHASE II

© 2016 | 5 WAVES LLC | 5waves.co | All rights reservedPage 5 Getting money: small business innovation research


If you don’t write a good proposal . . . 0

If you write a good proposal . . . better In our experience about 10% of Phase I proposals are funded• Varies agency to agency• Varies with number of proposals received and funding available

In our experience about 35% of Phase II proposals are funded• Again, varies agency to agency• Again, varies with number of proposals received and funding available

KEY: SUBMIT A GOOD, SOLID PROPOSAL Get in the top echelon of submittals

Then, your competition is narrowed to competing quality proposals and available funding

Chances of winning?



1) Start early It will take a lot longer than you think

2) Have a team and a schedule Make assignments

Reviews; meetings

3) Remember your audience Experts in the field

8 tips for creating a solid proposal



4) Follow the proposal guidelines to the letter Many proposals are not even read because they don’t follow the

protocol in the solicitation

5) Address the topic

6) Attend an SBIR conference Listen to reps from agencies

Network, bounce your ideas off them

8 tips for creating a solid proposal (cont’d)



7) Check out these sites: zynsys.com – searchable; lists all solicitations

sbir.gov – answers a lot of questions

8) Don’t forget to consider STTR May come in handy when working closely with university or

laboratory

8 tips for creating a solid proposal (cont’d)



We have won multiple SBIR awards

Phase I and II award experience

Multiple agencies

We’ve served on review panels

Contact us with any questions!

Provide feedback, suggestions

Help write proposals

We can help!


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Getting money: small business innovation research© 2016 | 5 WAVES LLC | 5waves.co

5wavesllc.blogspot.com

Need help? Have a question?

5 WAVES LLC1930 THOMES AVE.

CHEYENE, WY 82001-3517David A Walker T: (661) 312-1623

[email protected]

all about sbirs . . . and 8 tips to create a solid proposal

Small Business & Entrepreneurship