SBIR/STTR Seed Funding News for Virginia's
Small Business Research Community
Overview of CIT's SBIR Support & Seed Investment Fund Programs
July 21, 2021 -- 3:30-4:30PM
CIT is pleased to present this short session during the National SBIR Week Virtual Conference (see next article for more info!). 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
National SBIR Week -- VIRTUAL Conference!
July 19-23, 2021
Panels, Tips, Strategies, & One On Ones with Decision Makers!
This national event provides you with an opportunity to participate in live streaming panels and presentations with participating federal agencies that administer over 7,000 new awards annually and to meet virtually One on One with program decision makers.

AGENDA:
  • July 19: Welcome & Getting Started, Noon-1:30PM; One on Ones, 2-5PM
  • July 20: Inside the Head of an Evaluator, 2-3PM; One on Ones, 9AM-1:30PM; Agency Roundtables, 3:30-5PM
  • July 21: MBDA InVision Tour with FLC: 1-3:30; One on Ones, 9AM-5PM
  • July 22: SBIR History/Policy & USPTO Resources, 1-2:30PM; One on ones, 2-5PM
  • July 23: Beyond Phase II, 1-2PM; Agency Roundtables: 10AM-Noon
NIH & NSF SBIR/STTR "Tips Before you Submit" WEBINAR
August 10, 2021 -- 10:30AM-Noon
This special 1 hour webinar is designed to help those who are planning a submission to the National Science Foundation and/or the National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR programs – 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
"NSF SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Essentials"
WEBINAR RECORDING
Did you miss the June 24 Webinar? This RECORDED 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. 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: Approximately 5 hours
COST: Virginia based companies/Va. University FREE; All Others $75
REGISTER HERE
Virtual Coffee Hour with CIT's Investment Team
July 16, 2021 -- 9:00-10:30AM
Join Jennifer O'Daniel from CIT's GAP Seed Fund as she hosts this bi-weekly session. RSVP: here.
"Government Contracting Tips & Planning for
Early Stage Tech Firms"
7 Part WEBINAR Series
July 13 - Aug. 31, 2021
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
 
Gov’t Contracting – are you Procurement Ready?  
July 13, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
Be sure to set yourself up for success BEFORE you go after government contracts by getting organized.  This session will provide an overview of ways to plan and organize your business to prepare for government contracting, as well as provide an intro to the services provided for FREE by Virginia’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center. 

Tips for SAM Registration, NAIC Codes and PSC Codes 
July 22, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
The federal System for Awards Management is an essential steps to be eligible to submit for government contracts -- make sure you do it correctly! This session also explains the importance of NAICs and PSC codes and how they are crucial to government contracting success.

Market Research Essentials for Government Contracting
July 29, 2021 -- 11AM-Noon
Marketing to the Government is unique. This class will explain the best way to market your business to the government as well as how to create a capability statement and ensure all your marketing pieces are government friendly.

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. 
ICAP Virtual Introduction to Lean Startup Course
Virginia's Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) is meant for early-stage Virginia based startups who need help validating their business model in order to move forward and secure funding. ICAP is focused on helping Virginia-based technology and innovation-driven startups on their path to success. ICAP works with startups to provide support along their entire journey towards scaling – from the early idea stage, all the way through working on Series A level of funding. This is accomplished through experiential learning programs and one-on-one advising with a team of experienced entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. For more information, and learn how to apply to an upcoming cohort, please visit: https://www.virginiasbdc.org/programs/icap/

AGENCY UPDATES
Intro to America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR) at NSF
July 8, 2-3PM ET
The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites you to attend a virtual question and answer session, "Intro to America's Seed Fund at NSF" on July 8, 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. To register for this free Zoom session, visit:

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/
  • July 8: STTR program
  • July 15: Traditional SBIR Topics at AFRL
  • July 22: Intro to AFVenture
  • July 29: Phase I Focus Areas

USDA FY22 Phase I SBIR Release -- COMING SOON!:
Phase I FY22 is planned to be published in July 2021

Dept. of Energy SBIR/STTR FY22 Phase 1 Release -- COMING July 12:
Topics released on July 21, 2021
Application assistance webinars will be announced on mailing list (sign up at https://science.osti.gov/sbir )
Topics Information Webinar (July 19)
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
June 8 – July 27: Trademark Basics Bootcamp weekly series: www.cms.uspto.gov/about-us/events/trademark-basics-boot-camp
August 18-20: Save the Date – USPTO Invention-Con: www.uspto.gov/inventioncon

National SBIR Week
July 19-23, 2021
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)

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
Opens July 12, 2021

Closed Jan. 21, 2021

CLOSED 1/15/2021

Closed March 8, 2021

Closed April 5, 2021

Next Release Date July, 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