SBIR/STTR Seed Funding News for Virginia's
Small Business Research Community
In This Issue
UPCOMING SBIR TRAINING & More!
  • Multi-Agency SBIR Overview Webinar -- March 18 (Low Cost)
  • Selling SBIR Technology to the Government -- Two Part Series March 4 & 11
  • Virtual Coffee Hour with CIT's GAP Seed Fund -- March 5
  • Venture Finance Planning for Early Stage Tech Firms -- Three Part Series March 17, 24, 31
  • SBIR/STTR for University -- March 25 (FREE)
  • Train the Trainer -- SBIR Granting vs. Contracting Agency Overview for Entrepreneurial Support Groups -- April 7, 2021
  • NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Virtual Classroom, May 26, 2021
  • Agency News
  • SBIR / STTR Schedules
"Multi-Agency SBIR/STTR Proposal Planning" WEBINAR
March 18 -- 8:30AM-2PM Eastern
This 5 hour session will present an overview of all participating SBIR Agencies, with information about funding amounts, how to approach, standard deadlines, tips for preparation, major differences from other agencies, and next steps. We'll then have more detailed discussion on some of the major agencies such as DOD, NIH and NSF. A great session to understand what agencies are a fit for your and how to begin.
This session is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
TIME: 8:30AM-2PM Eastern
PRICE: Virginia Based Co's & University, $25, All Others $75.
INSTRUCTOR: BBC ETC
QUESTIONS: [email protected]
REGISTER HERE
Selling SBIR Technology to the Government -- Two-Part WEBINAR Series
March 4 & 11, 2021
Customer Capture begins In Your Phase I SBIR
March 4, 11:00AM- Noon
How will you leverage your SBIR/STTR Phase I project into future funded work and sales revenue? Identifying your markets and principals early in Phase I is a key success criteria. Join us in this webinar to learn specific steps towards long-term viability.
Cost: Virginia based co’s & University $15, All others $45
REGISTER HERE  

The Business of Phase III SBIR at DOD
March 11, 11:00AM-Noon
Just exactly what is a SBIR/STTR Phase III and what does it take to get there? Does the SBIR/STTR program fund Phase III? Answer: no. Join us in this webinar to understand who funds DoD Phase III and how you can access those funds.
Cost: Virginia based co’s & University $15, All others $45
REGISTER HERE

These sessions are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Presented by Randy Simpson of TechOpp Consulting
Venture Finance Planning for Early Stage Tech Firms -- 3 Part WEBINAR Series
March 17, 24 & 31, 2021
Understanding the Differences in Angel, Seed, and Venture Capital
March 17, 2021, 12:30PM-1:00PM
Early stage companies considering a pathway to secure dilutive funding from Angel, Seed, and Venture Capital may not understand the nuances between these various forms of funding. Understanding these differences can be key to approaching each with the correct intentions and expected outcomes. 
Cost: Virginia based firms & university, FREE; All others $25
REGISTER HERE  

Customer Discovery & Market Opportunity -- What Investors are Looking For
March 24, 12:30PM-1:00PM
When approaching outside investors, what do they expect in terms of market size and other key aspects of the opportunity you are presenting to them?  
Cost: Virginia based firms & university, FREE; All others $25
REGISTER HERE

Tips to Developing an Effective Investor Pitch Deck
March 31, 12:30PM-1:00PM
The Investor “Pitch Deck” is one of the most important documents you will create when seeking outside capital. This session will review a standard pitch deck, including the level of detail that it should include. 
Cost: Virginia based co’s & University FREE, All others $25
REGISTER HERE

These sessions are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Presented by Marco Rubin, Senior Investment Director, CIT GAP Funds
Virtual Coffee Hour with CIT's Investment Team
March 5, 2021
9:00-10AM
Join us on Friday for Coffee with GAP Funds at 9AM via Zoom. We will break into small groups to talk specifically about growing your startup and learn about your fellow startup founders. Register here: RSVP.

Virginia ICAP Program for Early Stage Tech Startups
Plan now for Spring Cohort!
Based on the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ program for Lean Startups, ICAP (Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program) helps Virginia based inventors and entrepreneurs take the right first steps in bringing new technologies and innovations to market. ICAP includes FREE introductory training programs and counseling services offered through ICAP instructors and local SBDC counselors. ICAP helps startups identify potential customers and develop successful business models based on that knowledge. It is an ideal program for early-stage companies trying to prepare for eventual venture investment. The next three week cohort will be this Spring. Free to participate, but application is required. To learn more, visit HERE.
"University Participation in SBIR/STTR -- Eligibility Rules, PI Requirements, Compliance, and More" WEBINAR
March 25, 2021
3:00-4:30PM
This session is designed for university officials at Virginia based institutions, tech transfer offices, university researchers, university based entrepreneurship programs, and other university related programs interested in supporting entrepreneurship and collaborative research via the SBIR and STTR programs. University researchers participating in an SBIR or STTR project - either as a sub-contractor or as the small business owner - must be aware of the specific rules for SBIR/STTR that may differ from other projects. Understanding these rules are critical to successful participation and compliance. This webinar covers eligibility rules for SBIR/STTR, Primary Investigator Requirements, sub-contracting rules/limitations, University lab vs. Small business facilities, "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" efforts by the Federal Agencies, and more. 
This event is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Presented by: BBC ETC.
TIME: 3PM-4:30PM
COST: Virginia based companies/Va. University/ Va. University related programs: FREE; All Others $25
REGISTER HERE

"Train the Trainer SBIR/STTR Intro -- Granting Vs. Contracting Agencies" WEBINAR -- for Virginia's Entrepreneurial Support Community
April 7, 2021
3:00-4:30PM
This session is intended for Virginia based entrepreneurial support organizations, directors and mentors in the various Virginia based accelerator and incubator programs, Virginia SBDC and PTAC counselors, Virginia university based entrepreneurial support programs, and other program leaders. This is not meant for potential small business applicants. This session will provide an overview of the Federal SBIR/STTR grant programs and cover the 11 SBIR/STTR participating agencies, their mission and what technologies they will fund. This will include where to find the topics of interest, what has been funded previously and how to contact the agencies. The goal of this session is to help the numerous entrepreneurial support programs in Virginia to better understand SBIR/STTR in order to better support
their clients, cohorts, and constituents.
 
This event is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Presented by: BBC ETC.
TIME: 3PM-4:30PM
COST: Virginia based Entrepreneurial Support Organizations: FREE
REGISTER HERE
"NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Virtual Classroom" WEBINAR
May 26, 2021
8:30AM-2:00PM
This workshop is a must if you are considering an NIH submission. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, you’ll receive detailed instruction on developing a competitive proposal for the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) SBIR/STTR program. Ideal for those targeting the September 2021 NIH SBIR/STTR omnibus deadlines!
Expect to learn:
• Registration process necessary for submission
• Strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations
• How to approach each section of the proposal
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and more!
 
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
AGENCY NOTES
Dept. of Transportation SBIR
Closes March 8, 2021
The Department of Transportation invites applications to its 2021 SBIR Phase I program supporting innovative technology companies in the areas of robots for unmanned disinfection and decontamination of transit assets; accelerating performance testing using the asphalt mixture performance tester equipment; reference hardware for infrastructure GPS abnormality detector for connected and automated vehicle applications; and others. Multiple Phase I awards of up to $150,000 each may be made. Eligibility is restricted to domestic small business concerns. Applications are due March 8. More information regarding this solicitation is available at: https://www.volpe.dot.gov/work-with-us/small-business-innovation-research/21-solicitation-document


Dept. of Commerce "NIST" SBIR
Closes April 14, 2021
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) invites applications to its 2021 SBIR Phase 1 program supporting research on innovative technologies in the areas of 1) advanced communications, networks and scientific data systems; 2) advanced manufacturing and materials measurements; 3) cybersecurity and privacy; 4) fundamental measurement, quantum science and measurement dissemination; 5) health and biological systems measurements; 6) physical infrastructure and resilience; and 7) exploratory measurement science. Up to 12 awards of up to $100,000 each may be made. Eligibility is restricted to domestic small business concerns. Applications are due April 14. More information regarding 2021-NIST-SBIR-01 is available at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331104

SBIR/STTR Schedules
21.1 SBIR and 21.A STTR BAA's have re-opened and will now close on March 4, 12:00PM. Click HERE for info.
 
Closing Dates: Jan. 5 (2021), April 5 (2021), Sept. 5 (2021)

Closed January 13, 2021

Current quarterly cycle closes March 4.
Next quarterly cycle opens March 5 and closes June 3, 2021
REMINDER: Must submit online Project Pitch to receive approval to submit full proposal.

Closed Jan. 8, 2021

Closed Feb. 22, 2021

Closed Jan. 21, 2021

CLOSED 1/15/2021

Closes March 8, 2021

Closes April 5, 2021

Next Release Date Approx. June, 2021.

Closed Oct. 26, 2020
 
Closed August 28, 2020  
  
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 40 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