Resources
We created this growing resource library to bring together downloadable guides, practical tools, trusted platforms, and other materials that support innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and sustainable growth. Explore the collection below, and check back often as we continue to add resources designed to provide clarity, strengthen decision-making, and move important work forward.
SBIR/STTR Staffing Decisions: W-2 Employees, 1099 Contractors, and Federal Compliance
A practical guide to SBIR and STTR staffing decisions, including how W-2 employees and 1099 independent contractors affect PI eligibility, workshare requirements, budgeting, and federal compliance. It also summarizes current federal worker-classification considerations and highlights questions applicants should resolve before submitting a proposal.
SBIR Readiness Rubric
This one-page SBIR/STTR Phase I Readiness Rubric is a practical checklist designed to help startups quickly assess whether they are truly prepared to pursue federal innovation funding. It evaluates readiness across four key areas: Business, Team, Market, and Technology, using a simple five-level scale. Because it is structured as a reusable rubric, teams can revisit it repeatedly as they build toward SBIR or STTR competitiveness.
Federal Grant Registration & Compliance Organizer
A structured template that transforms generic endorsement letters into strategic validation tools—clarifying partner roles, resource commitments, and alignment to project objectives to strengthen credibility and reviewer confidence.