SBIR/STTR Seed Funding News for Virginia's
Small Business Research Community
Featured Upcoming Training Includes:
  • DOD SBIR/STTR "Tips before you Submit" Webinar, Sept. 30, 10:30AM-Noon
  • NSF SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Virtual Classroom, Oct. 13, 8:30AM-2PM
  • NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Virtual Classroom, Nov. 4, 8:30AM-2PM
  • Writing your Specific Aims Page for NIH SBIR/STTR, Nov. 10, 10:30AM-Noon
  • Understanding the Peer Review Process at NIH, Nov. 17, 10:30AM-Noon
Dept. of Defense SBIR/STTR "Tips Before you Submit" WEBINAR
THIS THURSDAY -- September 30, 2021 -- 10:30AM-Noon
This special 1.5 hour webinar is designed to help those who are planning a submission to an upcoming Dept. of Defense SBIR/STTR deadline. The current DOD SBIR & STTR BAA's opened on Aug. 25, began accepting proposals on Sept. 21, and closes Oct. 21. This session will briefly cover the key elements of what makes a DOD SBIR/STTR the most competitive. Following the session will 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.
Instructor: Randy Simpson, TechOpp Consulting
COST: 
  • Free for Virginia based small tech firms
  • $35 for all others

REGISTER HERE
National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep WEBINAR
October 13, 2021 -- 8:30AM-2PM
This live, interactive session provides viewers an overview of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) SBIR/STTR grant programs and provides a section by section description on writing an NSF SBIR/STTR proposal. The NSF awards over $200M annually in SBIR/STTR to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense. With an NSF SBIR or STTR, YOU write the topic that you want funding for! Ideal for anyone considering an NSF SBIR/STTR submission in the next 6 months. This event is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Presented by: BBC ETC.
TIME: 8:30AM-2:00PM
COST: Virginia based companies/Va. University $25; All Others $75
REGISTER HERE
National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep WEBINAR
November 4, 2021 -- 8:30AM-2PM
This workshop is a must if you are considering a National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR or STTR submission. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, you’ll receive detailed instruction on developing a competitive proposal for NIH’s SBIR/STTR program.
Session Topics Include:
  • An overview of the SBIR/STTR programs, including eligibility, and sources of funding;
  • Registration process necessary for submission;
  • An introduction to NIH, and essential information for selecting an institute appropriate for your technology;
  • How to contact and communicate with program officials;
  • How to approach each section of the proposal;
  • NIH Proposal Prep: Understanding the NIH review process, writing your Specific AIMS page, research strategy and preparing proposals components for maximum impact, other critical details of the proposal; the importance of your team, facilities and budget;
  • Strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations;
  • Common pitfalls, how to avoid them, and more!
This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Instructors: 
  • Andrea Johanson, Ph.D, Principal Consultant, BBC ETC
  • Megan Varnum, Ph.D, Principal Consultant, BBC ETC

TIME: 8:30AM-2:00PM
COST: Virginia based companies/Va. University $25; All Others $75
REGISTER HERE
Writing your Specific Aims Page for NIH SBIR/STTR
WEBINAR
November 10, 2021 -- 10:30AM-Noon
Your Specific Aims page is a critically important component of your SBIR/STTR application and typically the first page reviewers read. Yet, this one page is often the most difficult section to write! You need to “hook” the reviewers from the start as well as provide key information about your technology, the innovation and your team. This session reviews how to structure your Specific Aims page in a meaningful way.
Presented by: JoAnne Goodnight, former NIH SBIR Program Director

This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

TIME: 10:30AM-Noon
COST: Virginia based companies/Va. University FREE; All Others $50
REGISTER HERE
Understanding the Peer Review Process at NIH
WEBINAR
November 17, 2021 -- 10:30AM-Noon
The Peer Review process at the National Institutes of Health is unique -- fully understanding this process can improve your chances of success in SBIR, STTR and other peer reviewed grant submissions to NIH. This session discusses the peer review process at NIH and tips on how to craft your proposal with the reviewers in mind.

Presented by: JoAnne Goodnight, former NIH SBIR Program Director

This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
TIME: 10:30AM-Noon
COST: Virginia based companies/Va. University FREE; All Others $50
REGISTER HERE
AGENCY UPDATES & Training
GovCon Web Series
AtWork Systems is delivering a series of highly interactive webinars designed to provide in depth guidance on some of the core building blocks for government contractors. This low cost six part web series presents key foundational GovCon content in a very interactive format, using Kahoot and Zoom breakouts to create an interactive experience and collaboration with fellow attendees. Join us for an enjoyable and informative learning experience.
Each session is just $49.99, and run from 10:30AM-Noon Eastern – attend all or just the ones you feel are important to you. Sessions include:
  • Oct. 6 -- The RFP: To Bid or No-Bid
  • Oct. 13 -- The RFP: Contract Types and the Associated Risk
  • Oct. 20 -- Managing Contracts, Part 1
  • Oct. 21 -- Managing Contracts, Part 2
  • Oct. 27 -- Project Cost Accounting
  • Oct. 28 -- Understanding Indirect Rates
REGISTER HERE

NSF SBIR/STTR Q&A Intro
October 14, 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 Oct. 14 from 2-3PM 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 we look for when we review Project Pitches. You may have attended or registered for a similar session in the past, but we want to give you every opportunity to have your questions answered​​​​​. For info and registration, Click Here

NIH SBIR Contracts Opportunity Now Open
The annual NIH SBIR Contracting Solicitation is now open and will close on Oct. 28, 2021 at 5PM Eastern Daylight Time. This solicitation contains opportunities to submit a proposal under a variety of different Topics (39 topic areas listed). Some Topics allow for only a Phase I proposal to be submitted at this time. Some Topics allow for only a Phase II proposal to be submitted, through the ‘Direct to Phase II’ process. Some Topics allow for ‘Fast Track’ proposals, which include both a Phase I proposal and a Phase II proposal. For more information, visit the solicitation announcement here: https://sbir.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Contracts-Solicitation-PHS-2022-1.pdf

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 -- NOW OPEN
Topics opened Aug. 17, Closes Oct. 23, 2021. Note that the RFA only includes the new topics and other updates in the 2021 solicitation with the remaining info available in the prior 2020 solicitation.

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
SBIR/STTR Schedules
Current DOD SBIR/STTR BAA's Opened Aug. 25 in PRE-SOLICITATION, OPENS Sept. 23, CLOSES Oct. 22, 2021.
 
Closing Dates: Jan. 5 (2022), April 5 (2022), Sept. 5 (2022)

Closes Oct. 28, 2021

Closed January 13, 2021

Current quarterly window for submission closes Dec. 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, Closes Oct. 12

Closed Jan. 21, 2021

CLOSED 1/15/2021

Closed March 8, 2021

Closed April 5, 2021

Opened Aug. 17, Closes Oct. 22, 2021

Closed August 3, 2021.   
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 | robert.brooke@cit.org | 703-689-3000 | Website