SBIR/STTR Seed Funding News for Virginia's
Small Business Research Community
Featured Upcoming Training Includes:
  • Cyber Security Compliance for Gov't Contractors Webinar, Aug. 3, 11AM-Noon
  • NIH & NSF SBIR/STTR "Tips before you Submit" Webinar, Aug. 10, 10:30AM-Noon
  • DOD SBIR Proposal Planning & Prep, Sept. 9, 9AM-Noon
  • DOD SBIR/STTR "Tips before you Submit" Webinar, Sept. 30, 10:30AM-Noon
"Government Contracting Tips & Planning for
Early Stage Tech Firms"
7 Part WEBINAR Series
This series is presented by the experts at Virginia’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and is ideal for anyone new to the federal contracting arena, has recently received their first DOD SBIR/STTR awards or are planning to submit soon, or those currently in government contracting and want to be more successful.   Topics presented will help you in the earliest phases of government contracting, establish best practices, and help you be more successful in transitioning your technology to the customer.  Free to all Virginia based small businesses. 
Each session is approximately 1 hour long, including Q&A. 
All sessions are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and will be presented by Lisa Wood, Statewide Director, Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
Cost: Virginia based firms FREE; All others $15
TIME: 11AM-Noon each session
 
Cyber Security Compliance For Federal Contractors
August 3, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
The evolving cyber security compliance rules for government contractors, particularly DOD, can be hard to follow. This session provides you with a good understanding of CMMC requirements for DOD Contractors.  Be sure you know the new guidelines for small DOD contractors and ensure you are compliant.
 
Intro to Socioeconomic Certifications
August 12, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
There are many socioeconomic certifications that you may consider, some providing you with some levels of preference in federal contracting. What are these certifications, and are they right for you?  Be sure you know what the right certifications are, when the best time is to become certified, and what some of the new processes are.
 
Finding Contracting Opportunities in Today’s Environment
August 24, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
Looking for contracting opportunities? Where do you start? This session presents a comprehensive presentation on where to find opportunities and follow the money. 

Proposal Writing Tips & Tricks:
August 31, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
This session will present some common sense tips on how to write an effective state or federal contract proposal. 

Earlier RECORDED Sessions:
Gov’t Contracting – are you Procurement Ready?  
REGISTER to View HERE

Tips for SAM Registration, NAIC Codes and PSC Codes 
REGISTER to View HERE

Market Research Essentials for Government Contracting
REGISTER to View HERE

NSF & NIH SBIR/STTR "Tips Before you Submit" WEBINAR
August 10, 2021 -- 10:30AM-Noon
This special 1.5 hour webinar is designed to help those who are planning a submission to the an upcoming the current NSF SBIR/STTR window closes on Sept. 2, and the current NIH SBIR/STTR solicitation closes Sept. 5. Expert SBIR consultants will provide quick tips and reminders for both agencies, followed by an opportunity for you to ask specific questions to help you submit a more compelling and compliant proposal. 
This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Instructors: BBC ETC
COST: 
  • Free for Virginia based small tech firms
  • $35 for all others

REGISTER HERE
DOD SBIR/STTR Proposal Planning & Prep WEBINAR
Sept. 9, 2021 -- 9AM-Noon
The Department of Defense and its participating components award over $1.7B annually in SBIR/STTR funding.  This three-hour webinar recording presents proposal preparation tips for those targeting a DOD SBIR/STTR submission.  
Topics covered include:  
  • Proposal Basics -- What is a proposal, how proposals are scored (not read), and how to write to the DOD SBIR/STTR evaluator; 
  • How to Make a Bid/No Bid Decision -- evaluating the DOD topic requirements, determining if a topic “wired”, understanding potential competition, resources needed to submit; 
  • Pre-Solicitation ideas for “next time” -- tips on getting a topic idea inserted into future opportunities; 
  • Passed the ROI test and ready to bid -- The true cost of bidding, bid prep tips, developing an elevator pitch, project plans, and commercialization strategy; 
  • Preparing the Proposal -- Following directions, understanding the topic description, understanding the agencies objectives, what goes into the proposal (from outline to specific content).  This event is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Presented by Randy Simpson, TechOpp Consulting
Cost:
  • Virginia based companies & Virginia University: $25
  • All Others:  $75 per person
Duration: 3 hours

REGISTER HERE
Dept. of Defense SBIR/STTR "Tips Before you Submit" WEBINAR
September 30, 2021 -- 10:30AM-Noon
This special 1.5 hour webinar is designed to help those who are planning a submission an upcoming Dept. of Defense SBIR/STTR deadline. The next DOD SBIR & STTR BAA's open on Aug. 25, will begin accepting proposals on Sept. 21, and closes Oct. 21. This session will briefly cover the key elements of a DOD SBIR/STTR that make the proposal most competitive, followed by plenty of time for Q&A with the instructor!
This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Instructors: TechOpp Consulting
COST: 
  • Free for Virginia based small tech firms
  • $35 for all others

REGISTER HERE
Virtual Coffee Hour with CIT's Investment Team
August 13, 2021 -- 9:00-10:30AM
Join CIT GAP Funds and fellow entrepreneurs on at 9AM for virtual coffee via Zoom to discuss growing your company and funding opportunities. We'll follow the panel discussion with optional small group breakout sessions. Join Jennifer O'Daniel from CIT's GAP Seed Fund as she hosts this bi-weekly session. RSVP: here.
Overview of CIT's SBIR Support & Seed Investment Fund Programs
RECORDING
This one hour session presents an overview of how the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) supports Virginia based companies in their efforts to learn about and apply for SBIR/STTR funding, and how the CIT GAP Seed Fund invests in early stage, high growth potential Virginia based tech companies (including many SBIR/STTR awardees in Virginia). 
Presenters: 
  • Robert Brooke, Dir. Federal Funding Program, CIT
  • Alex Euler, Investment Director, CIT GAP Funds
Find out how CIT can support your Virginia based technology company!
COST: FREE
REGISTER HERE
AGENCY UPDATES
Learn about new SBIR/STTR funding opportunities at HHS
August 3, 2PM
Did you know the majority of the funded Health and Human Services (HHS) small business projects are investigator-initiated? Each year, HHS releases the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)omnibus grant solicitations, also known as funding opportunity announcements(FOAs), to encourage small businesses to submit their innovative ideas. Join Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) on Tuesday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. ET for the 2021 HHS Grant Funding Opportunity Announcements webinar.
The webinar will cover: Basics of HHS Small Business Programs; New funding opportunity announcements; Tips/tricks and on how to successfully navigate the application and review process

Q&A to America's Seed Fund at the NSF
Aug. 12 Webinar, 2-3PM
The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites you to attend a virtual question and answer session, "Intro to America's Seed Fund at NSF" on Thursday, August 12, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET. In this session, a Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program Director will answer questions about how to get started, the basics of eligibility, and what they look for when reviewing Project Pitches.  
REGISTER HERE

New HHS Contract Solicitation Released!
Aug. 12 Webinar, 1PM
This year's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract solicitation is now available.
Join Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) on August 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET for the HHS SBIR Contract RFP Informational Webinar PHS 2022-1 to learn more. The webinar will cover: HHS Small Business Program; New contract solicitation; Awarding components' contract topics.
REGISTER HERE

AFVentures Weekly Webinar Series
AFVentures is hosting weekly webinars, every Thursday at noon EST/EDT, to educate, inform and answer any questions you may have about the AFVentures Open Topic process. Tune in each week to learn more and ask your questions. More info: https://www.afsbirsttr.af.mil/Events/AFVentures-Weekly-Webinar-Series/

USDA FY22 Phase I SBIR Release -- COMING SOON

Dept. of Energy SBIR/STTR FY22 Phase 1 Release -- NOW OPEN
Topics released on July 21, 2021
Letter of Intent Deadline Aug. 30, 2021
Closes October 12, 2021
Application assistance webinars will be announced on mailing list (sign up at https://science.osti.gov/sbir )
View TOPICS and recorded Topic Webinars
ASK-Us Application Q&A Webinar Series

EPA FY22 Phase 1 Release -- NOW OPEN
Opened June 15, Closes Aug. 3, 2021

USPTO: Resources and upcoming events
Updated resource hub for inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses: www.uspto.gov/inventors
Updated trademark Basics page: www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics
August 18-20: USPTO Invention-Conwww.uspto.gov/inventioncon



SBIR/STTR Schedules
Next DOD SBIR/STTR BAA's Open Aug. 25 in PRE-SOLICITATION, OPEN on Sept. 23, CLOSES Oct. 22, 2021.
 
Closing Dates: Jan. 5 (2021), April 5 (2021), Sept. 5 (2021)

Closes Oct. 28, 2021

Closed January 13, 2021

Current quarterly window for submissions is closes Sept. 2, 2021
REMINDER: Must submit online Project Pitch to receive approval to submit full proposal.

Closed Jan. 8, 2021

Dept. of Energy SBIR/STTR -- View 1 hour Info Webinar HERE
Opened July 12, 2021

Closed Jan. 21, 2021

CLOSED 1/15/2021

Closed March 8, 2021

Closed April 5, 2021

Next Release Date July/August 2021.

Closed Oct. 26, 2020
 
Opened June 15, 2021, closes August 3, 2021. View solicitation Info HERE 
  
CIT Supports Virginia's SBIR/STTR Community
CIT's Federal Funding Assistance Programs supports the outreach, mentoring and training of the SBIR and STTR programs for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Support includes:
  • Low Cost SBIR/STTR Training at locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia;
  • Special Webinar training (live and recorded);
  • Mentoring services;
  • Consultant referrals;
  • Small grants to support hiring of expert consultants;
  • Introductions to CIT's GAP and CCF programs;
  • Matching Grants (Via the CCF program)
  • VIEW OVER 30 RECORDED SBIR WEBINARS HERE

Contact: 
Robert Brooke
Director, Federal Funding Assistance Program
Center for Innovative Technology
703-689-3080
Center for Innovative Technology | [email protected] | 703-689-3000 | Website