REPORT ON 2009 FLORIDA SBDC NETWORK SBIR/STTR PHASE I PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Shared Websites:
www.sbdc.org
www.fbo.gov
www.expernet.org [for finding Fla based research and researchers]
www.zyn.com [easy search site for government grants/contracts]
www.floridaSBRAC.org
www.FloridaOSBA.org
www.FloridaSBDC.org
http://www.fptac.org/
SBIR began with Congressional act in 1982. There are currently 11 federal agencies participating. In FY 2008, there will be at least 5500 awards granted totaling over 2.5 Billion Dollars. The purposes include stimulating technological innovation, strengthen the role of small business, increase the commercialization of the research results and encourage participation of socially disadvantaged groups.
There are three phases to SBIR, phase one in which feasibility studies are funded, phase 2 in which prototypes are funded and phase 3 in which there are no SBIR funds available but there are SBIR resources made available.

There are 3 types of SBIR projects: to develop new technologies; to apply existing technologies to new applications; to make significant improvements to existing technologies. The key point is innovation.

Applications for funding are accepted from different agencies throughout the year. But there is a specific schedule that must be adhered to.

Two separate types of funding agencies:
1. Contract Agencies
1.1 Possible to call and communicate with Topic Author regarding what particularly is being asked for and what kind of team is acceptable to agency reviewers;
1.2 Reviewers are from inside the agency;
1.3 Use language of agency type. For example, in Contract Agencies, you have a Program Administrator, not a principal investigator;
1.4 Contract agencies do not use Grant.gov for submittal of applications, they use their own websites;
1.5 Letters of credibility [published research or letters from potential end-users] are important to include at least one in a Phase I application;
1.6 Contract agencies solicit a solution to a described specific problem. If you think you have a solution for a problem that is not yet solicited for, contact Topic authors and see if you can get the item solicited for. Don't submit an application for a solicited Topic unless you are addressing that particular problem.
1.7 The business plan will not be asked for in the Phase I application, however, there will be a need for a "Commercialization" plan and fiscal needs of the company.
2. Grant Agencies
2.1 Grant agencies do not solicit for solutions to specific problems, they are more interested in general ideas that seem like viable ideas;
2.2 Grant agencies want to support "good ideas";
2.3 It is not possible to communicate with Topic Authors inside Grant Agencies;
2.4 Reviewers of Grant agency applications are from outside the agencies;
2.5 For Grant agencies, do not use "Program Manager", use "Principal Investigator";

One in Six submittals receive funding, so keep submitting! Tailor submittals to the agency you are applying to. 1/3 of all successful applications have never been granted before.

The concept of commercialization of the end product has become more and more important in the successful applications. You must think out to the commercial application of your product.

Do you look competent? This is critical, particularly for Grant agencies. If you don't look competent, make yourself look competent through the team you build. This can be done by using consultants or teaming with other contractors or Universities.

Florida Small Business Development Center Network

Funded in 1976 by SBA as 1 or 8 original SBDC pilot programs. there are 34 centers in Florida and are hosted by 14 Universities and colleges.

In 2003, established the Business Technology Commercialization Program to support entrepreneurs, facilitate development and commercialization and serve as a bridge between entrepreneurs and necessary resources.

SBDC wants to counsel clients, "Don't go it alone!" Leverage SBDC's assets and gain from the lessons learned and best practices of the resources available to you through SBDC.