SBIR grants   Monday I talked about grants in general and even mentioned Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.   The program is designed to encourage small businesses to develop solutions that have the potential to be commercialized. Those solutions are often to meet the needs of the United States government. Therefore, the SBIR grant program is funded by federal agencies. In fact, those that have R&D budgets exceeding $100M are required to allocate a certain percentage of that budget toward SBIR programs. As of right now that means there are 11 agencies that help fund the program.   Companies that receive SBIR funding do some based on the phase their research is in.    Phases of funding   Phase I is where the company is still establishing the feasibility and merit of the solution. This phase has a cap of $150,000 in funding over a six month period.   Phase II is funded based on positive traction accomplished during Phase I and normally do not reach funding amounts over $1M over a two year period.   Finally, Phase III SBIR is strictly for pursuing the commercialization of the solution.   Application standards   Each SBIR grant has specific process for determining the success of the program. That process includes:  

• Engaging stakeholders
• Describing the program
• Focusing on the design pieces
• Gathering additional data
• Establishing conclusions
• Presenting the findings

  This process is important to note because it will give SBIR grant applicants additional insight into the type of information that the programs are looking for.   The application should include an outline that is close to the following:  

• Cover sheet
• Identification of the opportunity
• Technical objectives
• Related work performed by the applicant
• Future research
• Commercialization approach
• Key personnel
• Facilities/equipment involved
• Cost proposal
• References

  While there is some flexibility in this structure, I recommend staying as close to it as possible.   For more information about funding your business, click here.