The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) SBIR program offers incredible opportunities for small businesses to develop innovative education technologies. However, with such opportunities comes the challenge of crafting a winning proposal—one that not only meets the technical and innovation requirements but also adheres to strict submission guidelines. At E.B. Howard Consulting understands these challenges and provides tailored support to ensure your application is competitive and complete.
Whether you are applying for the current or future IES SBIR solicitations, planning ahead is the key to success. Here’s how our expertise can guide you through every step of the process.
1. Stay Ahead of the Game: Understanding the IES SBIR Solicitation
The IES SBIR solicitation is detailed and precise. It requires an understanding of federal guidelines, including the technical, budgetary, and eligibility criteria. By planning ahead, you ensure your application aligns with these requirements, giving you a head start in the highly competitive landscape.
2. Document Preparation: The Foundation of a Strong Application
The IES SBIR application involves much more than just the technical narrative. From biographical sketches and budget justifications to commercialization plans and letters of support, each document must align with the overall vision of your proposal. Missing or poorly prepared documents can disqualify your application.
Here’s where we step in:
- Detailed Document Support: We guide you in preparing and reviewing essential supporting documents such as:
- Project budgets and budget justifications.
- Biographical sketches of key personnel.
- Letters of support from partners and stakeholders.
- Compliance Checks: We ensure every document complies with federal guidelines, saving you from costly errors or omissions.
3. Tailored Grant Writing Support
Writing a compelling grant narrative can be daunting, especially when balancing innovation, research, and practicality. Our grant writing services are tailored to your unique goals and the requirements of the IES SBIR program.
4. Early Registration and System Set-Up
Navigating federal systems like SAM.gov and Grants.gov can be time-consuming and complex. Early registration in these systems is a non-negotiable requirement for submission to IES SBIR and can take weeks to process. We help you navigate these systems to ensure your registrations are completed well before deadlines.
5. Why Planning Ahead Matters
Deadlines for IES SBIR solicitations are firm. Waiting until the last minute can jeopardize your application, leaving no room for revisions or unexpected hurdles. By planning ahead with a structured approach, you set the stage for success.
We believe in proactive planning and strategic execution. Our experience in managing SBIR applications, coupled with a deep understanding of IES requirements, ensures you’re prepared every step of the way.
What’s New for FY 2025?
The IES SBIR program supports small businesses in developing cutting-edge education technologies to address critical challenges faced by learners, educators, and administrators. For FY 2025, three solicitations are available:
Phase IA (#91990025R0002)
- Award Amount: $250,000 for 9 months.
- Focus: Development and evaluation of novel prototypes for education technology that solve pressing problems.
- Key Requirement: The product must be entirely new, with no prior technological development, and independent of any existing prototypes or products.
- Next Steps: Successful applicants can pursue a $1,000,000 Phase II award in FY 2026 for full development and commercialization.
Phase IB (#91990025R0003)
- Award Amount: $250,000 for 9 months.
- Focus: Development and evaluation of a new component to enhance an existing research-based product.
- Key Requirement: The new component must be distinct from the original prototype and employ a different technological approach.
- Next Steps: Eligible for a $1,000,000 Phase II award in FY 2026 to integrate and scale the enhanced product.
Direct to Phase II (#91990025R0004)
- Award Amount: $1,000,000 for 2 years.
- Focus: Scaling evidence-based education innovations for widespread use and commercialization.
- Key Requirement: Applicants must have a research-backed product developed by an academic or nonprofit institution.
Time-Sensitive Proposal Requirements
Here are some key details to keep in mind as you prepare your proposal:
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Registration on SAM.gov with a valid UEI is mandatory at submission. If you haven’t registered, start immediately—this process can take several weeks.
- No Duplicate Submissions: Proposals must be distinct and aligned to one solicitation. Duplicate or similar proposals across tracks will be rejected.
- Submission Deadline: January 8, 2025, 11 a.m. EST. Late proposals will not be reviewed.
- Questions Deadline: Submit inquiries to the Contracts Specialist by December 2, 2024. Responses will be posted as solicitation amendments on SAM.gov.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
We assist our clients in locating, applying for, and evaluating the outcomes of non-dilutive grant funding. We believe non-dilutive funding is a crucial tool for mitigating investment risks, and we are dedicated to guiding our clients through the entire process—from identifying the most suitable opportunities to submitting and managing grant applications.