Small Business Innovation Research

SmallBusiness.com: The free small business resource

Jump to:navigation, search

Overview

Each of the 11 participating government agencies participating in the SBIR must reserve 2.5% of its extramural R&D budget for small businesses. These programs provide for start-up and seed capital for small businesses to develop innovative product concepts. The programs do not require repayment of the grants, do not require an equity position in the company, and intellectual property rights remain with the business.

These programs each consist of three phases: The feasability and prototype phases provide up to $100,000 and $750,000. The commercialization phase is not funded by these programs, and generally, non-government growth capital must be used to finish development of a marketable product.

The eleven participating agencies have differing requirements, and issue annual [Request for Proposal|RFP's]. Details on each agency's program can be found on the external links listed below.

Differences between SBIR and STTR programs

One of the primary difference between SBIR and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs is the position of the primary researchers in the company. Under SBIR requirements the principle investigators must be employees of the company applying for the grant. STTR requirements, however, allow principle investigators to be affiliated with non-profit institutions (usually universities) other than the company making the grant application. In fact, STTR rules require collaboration with another institution.

There are other differences, including the amount of work permitted by consultants, the length of the Phase I and Phase II efforts, and maximum award for Phase II prototyping. Specific differences between the two programs vary from agency-to-agency. In addition, the agencies supporting STTR are a subset of those supporting the SBIR program.

External links

The iBridge Network - From the Kauffman Innovation Network. "increases access to innovations by providing a platform for researchers to share their discoveries, research methods, and findings to more effectively disseminate and license the outputs of early-stage research."