If you have never submitted an SBIR proposal before, you need to take some time to familiarize yourself with the various agency programs. You also should find all of the assistance that is available to you.
Familiarize Yourself With the Program and Past and Future Topics
Go to the SBIR Gateway ( http://www.zyn.com/sbir/ ) and take the time to look over all of the information available. Sign up for the newsletter and scan the news for the last year. You should then have a better idea of what has been happening in the program.
Equally important is the SBA web site www.sbir.gov The information sources on this site include the contacts for state SBIR assistance. Some states have very good programs, with seminars, proposal review, and even some funding for proposal expenses. ( Some of these reimbursement programs have been suspended because of state budget problems. ) SBIR program contacts for each agency are also posted here.
Select a Topic
Both the open and closed solicitation topics are available at the SBIR Gateway. But why look at the closed topics? Because it will provide a sense of the type of projects that have been on the list in the past. It is also good to know if the agency has had a topic on their list more than once. This is a sign that there is something you should know before you submit.
The topic author should answer those questions. ( It’s a red flag if he won’t! ) You need to find out:
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if the topic was awarded before.
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if so, what happened?
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if not, why?
Once you find a topic that you would like to pursue, it is time to consider whether you can accomplish any preliminary research with the award amount and in the time allotted (usually six to nine months). This is also the prime opportunity to consider how you would commercialize the research. Remember that commercialization is one-third of your submittal score!
Finding Whether the Project is Worth Pursuing
What if you have discovered that the project was awarded in previous years? Why would that matter to you? I have found that when this is true, you can discover if something went wrong (which is usually the case) and what is the problem. It could be that the funded research just did not meet the agency’s needs.
Several times I discovered that the technology proposed did not meet the agency’s needs, but the award was part of an earmark! You have to listen closely because most agencies will not say that directly.
Occasionally research has reached the testing stage; the testing agency representatives may be a little more forthcoming about the problems.
Each agency has some time of search capability of past awards, with each year usually being a separate document. Most also have back solicitation lists. But the most comprehensive place to search for awards is the SBA TechNet Database, which goes back to 1983.
Pre-solicitations
In pre-solicitation notices agencies announce upcoming solicitation lists, probable topics and date. Usually you can subscribe to receive a notice of publication.
To provide an example, I looked a at pre-solicitation for the EPA. The topics listed were: A) Green Building; B) Innovation in Manufacturing; C) Nanotechnology; D) Greenhouse Gases; E) Drinking Water Monitoring Treatment; F) Wastewater and Sustainable Infrastructure; G) Air Pollution Monitoring and Control; H) Biofuels; I) Waste Monitoring and Management; and J) Homeland Security. It was also noted that a new topic will be added: Rare Earth Elements. So that means that A to J had been on the list before. Now would be a good time to look at previous lists and awards to see what had been selected and researched.
A Department of Education announcement actually listed the topics, including Education Technology Products Used by Children, Students, or Teachers (or other Instructional Personnel or Service Providers) in Special Education. This certainly is a field that many small businesses may address.
Other Ideas to Help You Find Funding for Your Research Project
Contact the appropriate agency department to find out if they have considered your subject. You may discover that your topic has been contemplated and probably will be on their list in the future. Discussing this will help you understand why they need the research and what outcome they expect. Talking with agency representatives will also help you understand what research they absolutely won’t consider.
SBIR Blogs
http://sbircoach.blogspot.com/ SBIR Coach’s Playbook Great Blog!
http://atdc.org/sbir Advanced Technology Development Center, Georgia Tech
http://www.wisbirblog.org/ Wisconsin SBIR Blog
http://winasbir.com/ Win a SBIR
Contact Me: cwilliams@intellhunt.com