FAQ: When is it best to apply for SBIR/STTR money in the research/product development cycle?
Answer: SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals are often funded earlier than they would be funded by investors, because the program is interested in developing innovative ideas, which involves taking some risks. Phase I may involve pulling together the technology as a product. If the concept is still just science and there isn’t a clearly identified product for Phase I, however, it is not ready to be an SBIR. A mistake that junior investigators may make is to drift away from the product in the application. The program officer can offer feedback on the specific aims page prior to submission of the full proposal and let you know if it is a timely submission.
FAQ : What funding opportunities are available?
Answer:
- Omnibus Solicitation, also known as the funding opportunity announcements (FOAs), describe the HHS SBIR/STTR funding opportunities for support of small businesses having technical ability to do research that meets the missions of their agencies on the topics described in the document.
- NIH Grants & Funding: Contracts: Information on all NIH contracts. The list of potential SBIR contracts is published annually; see SBIR Contracts.
FAQ: Who are the different officials that are involved in an SBIR proposal (PO? SRO? GMO?) and what do they do? Which one do I contact if I’m just getting started with an SBIR?
Answer:
There are three groups of officials involved in the NIH Extramural Team. Contact the first group first:
- Program Officials/Officers – Manage porfolios of grants – provide programmatic, scientific, and technical advice. Contact them prior to submitting your proposal.
- Scientific Review Officers – Responsible for review of proposals – provide programmatic, scientific, and technical review.
- Grants Management Specialist – Responsible for completion of business management requirements of a funded grant, evaluate applications for compliance with administrative content, negotiate and prepares grant awards, help you interpret administrative policy.
Resource
Understand NIH Staff Roles – Further details on the above NIH staff role descriptions on NIH website.
Tips for a Successful SBIR Proposal
- Review funding opportunity announcements FOA
- Review sample applications
- Do your homework on NIH funded applications using their data base and search tool, NIHRePorter
- Talk to an NIH Program Officer over a month before submitting to discuss your aims and get feedback. Search sbir.nih.gove/engage/ic-contacts or Match.
- Describe a significant, important problem that your product will solve.
- Make a convincing case for the commercial potential and/or societal impact
- Make sure your test of feasibility is adequate.
- Be sure to show innovation
