SBIR/STTR News for Virginia's
Small Business Research Community
In this Issue:
  • FREE Seats for Virginia Accelerator Programs!
  • NASA Two-Part SBIR Series:
  • Pre-Solicitation Groundwork Webinar, Nov. 5
  • SBIR Proposal Prep Webinar, Dec. 8
  • NIH SBIR Virtual Classroom, Nov. 10
  • Dept. of Defense SBIR Proposal Planning & Prep Webinar, Dec. 2
  • NIH SBIR Tips Q&A Webinar, Dec. 15
  • SBIR Commercialization Planning WEBINAR RECORDING
  • Virtual Coffee with CIT Investment Team Oct. 30
  • Agency Updates
  • SBIR/STTR Schedule
FREE Seats for Participants in Virginia's Accelerator Programs!
In support of the companies participating in accelerator programs across Virginia, CIT is offering free seats to our upcoming SBIR webinars listed in this email. Free seats are offered to participants in:
  • RAMP Accelerator (Roanoke/Blacksburg, VA)
  • Lighthouse Labs (Richmond, VA)
  • MACH37 Cyber Accelerator (Northern, VA)
  • Smart City Works (Northern, VA)
  • 757 Accelerate (Hampton, VA)
  • The Launch Place (Danville, VA)
  • UVA ILAB (Charlottesville, VA)
  • Virginia Tech APEX Center for Entrepreneurship (Blacksburg, VA)
  • RISE Resilience (Norfolk, VA)
  • Prince William Count Science Accelerator
  • Dominion Energy Innovation Center (Richmond, VA)
  • Virginia ICAP Participants from 2020 (state-wide)
  • Virginia PTAC Clients (state-wide)

NASA SBIR Two Part Planning & Prep Series:
  • Nov. 5 -- NASA Pre-Solicitation Groundwork for FY21 WEBINAR, 11AM-Noon
  • Dec. 8 -- NASA SBIR Proposal Prep Webinar, 9AM-Noon
The FY21 NASA SBIR/STTR Solicitation opens Nov. 9 and closes Jan. 8, 2021. Almost $200M is available in this single NASA SBIR/STTR opportunity!

Nov. 5 "Pre-Solicitation Groundwork Webinar" is designed to help potential applicants learn about the unique nature of the NASA SBIR program and how to properly plan to engage with the various NASA centers in advance in order to increase your chance of success. No contact with NASA is allowed once the solicitation is released, so now is the time to engage! We’ll discuss the priorities of the NASA centers, what they’ve funded in the past, and what some of the standard topics are likely to be in the FY21 solicitation. 
TIME: 11AM-Noon.
PRICE: FREE to Virginia based co's and university, $45 for all others.
REGISTER HERE.

December 8 "NASA SBIR Proposal Prep Webinar" will present proposal preparation tips for those planning a submission to the FY2021 NASA SBIR/STTR opportunity. This three hour webinar will provide detailed proposal development tips, discuss what goes in to each main section of the proposal, and what commercialization discussion is required in a Phase I.
TIME: 9AM-Noon.
PRICE: Virginia Based Co's & University FREE, All Others $45.
REGISTER HERE

These events are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

INSTRUCTOR: Tech Opp Consulting
QUESTIONS: [email protected]
Event Calendar Link: HERE
Essentials of NIH SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposal Preparation Virtual Classroom
November 10, 2020 -- 9AM-1:45PM Eastern
This session is ideal for anyone targeting the Jan. 5, 2021 NIH SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitation deadline! Join our live Virtual Classroom for an Interactive, half-day overview of the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) grant programs. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, we’ll take a deep dive into the different NIH grant mechanisms, review how to navigate the NIH website and research projects qualities that would be considered Basic vs Translational, how to use web tools and how to avoid common pitfalls. Our virtual SBIR Classroom features activities and regular interaction with participants. Get your questions ready! AGENDA includes: SBIR/STTR ABCs and Overview of NIH program -- Reviewing registrations necessary for submission, strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations, how to approach each section of the proposal, tips on navigating the submission process, and more!  Specific Aims and Research Strategy -- Review of what should be included in specific aims and why it’s so important. How does that relate to your research strategy? Other key elements of the Phase I -- We’ll cover budgets, bio sketches, and what to do if you have to resubmit.
This event is funded in part through a grant award from the U.S. Small Business Administration

INSTRUCTOR: Megan Varnum, BBC ETC
QUESTIONS: [email protected]
COST: Virginia based companies $35; All Others $125

REGISTER HERE
Dept. of Defense SBIR Proposal Prep Webinar
December 2, 2020 -- 9AM-Noon
This three-hour webinar will present proposal preparation tips for those considering an SBIR/STTR submission to the DOD SBIR and STTR Broad Agency Announcements. The next BAA's are set to open in pre-solicitation on November 24, open for submission on January 6, and close on February 10, 2021. This webinar will provide tips on how to engage with the agency during the pre-solicitation period, how to research the topic and intended transition pathways, how to engage with collaborators, how to know if the topic is “wired”, making a “go/no-go” decision, and how to begin prepping your proposal.   
This event funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
INSTRUCTOR: Tech Opp Consulting
QUESTIONS: [email protected]
COST: Virginia based companies $25; All Others $100

REGISTER HERE
NIH Submission Tips Q&A WEBINAR
December 15, 2020 -- 11AM-Noon
This session is ideal for anyone planning to submit to the Jan. 4, 2021 NIH SBIR/STTR deadline. Session provides a short re-cap of key proposal prep tips, followed by up to 45 minutes of Q&A with the SBIR consultant. Get your questions ready! 
INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Jonanson, BBC ETC
QUESTIONS: [email protected]
COST: Virginia based companies FREE; All Others $35
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
REGISTER HERE
SBIR Commercialization Planning for Phase I and II Webinar Recording
This recorded webinar includes tips on developing the components of a credible commercialization plan from demonstrating market opportunity, knowing your competition, product/technology consideration, developing a business strategy and building your team.
1.5 hours long.
Funded in part through a grant award from the U.S Small Business Administraiton
INSTRUCTOR: Megan Varnum of BBC ETC.
REGISTER to view HERE
Virtual Coffee Hour with CIT's Investment Team
October 16, 9AM-10AM
Join us on Friday, Oct. 30 at 9AM via Zoom for a panel discussion on seed stage funding.  During this 1 hour session, we will be breaking into groups of 10-15 entrepreneurs for a moderated discussion. Please RSVP

REGISTER HERE

Agency Updates
NSF SBIR Pitch Session Overview
Oct. 30, 2020 -- 2PM Eastern
In this webinar, a Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program Director will discuss the elements of a Project Pitch and how to get started.
REGISTER HERE
SBIR/STTR Schedules
Opens Nov. 24 in pre-solicitation, opens for submission Jan. 6, Closes February 10, 2021
Additional Info: HERE
 
Closing Dates: Jan. 5 (2021), April 5, Sept. 5 

Closed Oct. 26, 2020

Next Deadline December 3, 2020 (quarterly deadlines)Submit online Project Pitch to receive approval to submit full proposal.

Closed October. 19, 2020

Closed October 22, 2020

Closed March 3, 2020 
  
Closed August 28, 2020  

COMING SOON!

Opens Nov. 9, 2020,Closes Jan. 8, 2021

Opened Oct. 15, 202, Closes January 13, 2021. .
 
Closed April 22, 2020

Closed March 9, 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;
  • SBIR/STTR 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