The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released its latest Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I solicitation, NSF 24-579. This program supports small businesses in developing innovative technologies with significant commercial potential. Here’s a detailed look at the key changes from the previous edition and important deadlines.
Here is the link 👉 https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-small-business-innovation-research-small-0/nsf24-579/solicitation
Submission Windows: The proposal submission system, Research.gov, will stop accepting proposals at 5:00 pm “submitting organization’s local time.” This is a firm deadline (no grace period). If your submission is late, you will not be able to submit again until the next deadline (and only if your Project Pitch invite remains valid). Proposers are strongly urged to submit well in advance of the deadline.
- September 18, 2024
- November 6, 2024
- March 5, 2025
- July 02, 2025
- November 05, 2025
General Information: The NSF SBIR/STTR programs provide non-dilutive funds for use-inspired research and development (R&D) of unproven, leading-edge technology innovations that address societal challenges.
Confidentiality: NSF proposals are confidential and will only be shared with a select number of reviewers and NSF staff (as appropriate). All reviewers have agreed to maintain the confidentiality of the proposal content. Proposals to NSF do not constitute a public disclosure. If selected for a Phase I award, the company will be prompted to write a publicly available abstract that summarizes the intellectual merit and broader impact of the project.
The proposer must receive an official invitation via the Project Pitch process to submit a full proposal. Small businesses can submit a Project Pitch at any time. Small businesses that receive an official invite must submit their full proposal within the next two deadlines of the email date of their invite; for example, if a Project Pitch invite is received on May 30, 2024, the proposer may submit their full proposal for either of the next two deadlines (September 18, 2024 or November 6, 2024). Visit the program website (https://seedfund.nsf.gov/apply/project-pitch/) for more information.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs do not support clinical trials or proposals from companies whose commercialization pathway involves the production, distribution, or sale by the company of chemical components, natural or synthetic variations thereof, or other derivatives related to Schedule I controlled substances.
Award Notification What You Need to Know: The National Science Foundation (NSF) typically takes 6–8 months to review and award Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Research (STTR) grant applications.
Estimated number of awards: 280 overall. With approximately 230-235 awards for SBIR Phase I per year, and approximately 45-50 awards for STTR Phase I per year, pending the availability of funds.
Here are SOME Key Changes from the Previous Solicitation
- Regarding the Budget
- The maximum total Phase I award amount has been increased from $275,000 to $305,000.
- SBIR/STTR Phase I recipients should budget for Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) and National Innovation-Corps training (I-CorpsTM) within their Phase I budget. Other supplements to SBIR/STTR Phase I awards will not be allowed.
- TABA provides an opportunity to assist small businesses in the commercialization of their technologies. Up to $6,500 for TABA funding may be budgeted by the proposing small businesses for their well-justified commercialization activities.
- I-Corps training is highly recommended; The proposal budget should include $25,000 for this training. Beat the Odds Boot Camp (a condensed version of I-Corps) will no longer be offered.
- The award duration has been extended; SBIR/STTR Phase I awards may be 6-18 months.
- Publication, documentation, and dissemination costs are not allowed.
- Regarding Supporting Documentation
- An Allocation of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (IP Rights Agreement) is required for STTR proposals and strongly recommended for SBIR proposals when there is a subaward to another institution.
- In addition to the two NSF Merit Review Criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts), additional solicitation specific review requirements related to Intellectual Merits, Broader Impacts, Company/Team, and Commercialization Potential have been clarified, see Section VI.A. An Elevator Pitch is no longer required in the Project Description.
- Four documents: Biographical Sketch(es), Current and Pending (Other) Support forms, Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA), and Synergistic Activities must be submitted for the PI, Co-PI (if STTR), and each Senior/Key Personnel specified in the proposal.
- Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support forms must be submitted using SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv
- Collaborators & Other Affiliations (COA) Information is submitted using the instructions and spreadsheet template. Additional information is given in the solicitation.
- Synergistic Activities. Each individual identified as a Senior/Key person must provide a document of up to one page that includes a list of up to five distinct examples of synergistic activities that demonstrate the broader impact of the individual’s professional and scholarly activities that focus on the integration and transfer of knowledge as well as its creation.
- NEW!! Letters of Support from potential product/service users or customers are NOT ALLOWED in SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals.
- Letters of Commitment from subawardees that confirm the role of the subaward organization in the project and explicitly state the subaward amount should be included in the Supplementary Documents.
Here is the link to learn more 👉 https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-small-business-innovation-research-small-0/nsf24-579/solicitation
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