 Dos and Don'ts for Your Phase I NIH Proposal
If you're planning to submit for the April 5 NIH SBIR/STTR deadline, now is the time to start laying out the steps you'll need to take to get your polished, compelling Phase I proposal submitted before the deadline. Over the years, BBCetc consultants have reviewed a great many NIH proposals and accumulated a long list dos and don'ts that we repeat each cycle in our workshops and with our clients. As you plan your proposal, here are our top 10 dos and don'ts for Phase I proposals. (Watch for Phase II's top 10 next month.)
1. Proposal Objectives
 DON'T: Write an R01. SBIR/STTR does not fund basic science projects. The two mechanisms are definitely NOT the same. SBIR/STTR projects are based on high-risk technological innovation with a marketable product as the end result.
 DO: Plan for and Tell the entire story....even in a Phase I. (Yes, you
do need to include commercialization information ...) The goal of SBIR/STTR is commercialization. Phase I doesn't stand alone. The rationale for Phase I is supported both by what has been done to date (preliminary data), what will be done next (Phase II) and ultimately commercialization. Your Phase I proposal must provide this context so that it can be assessed appropriately.
2. Specific Aims
 DON'T: Get the following critique: "It is unclear how the applicant will know when they've achieved their aims." The Specific Aims is the most important page of your proposal. It should state measurable, desired end points and show that you have a sensible work plan including steps to be carried out that will yield results/data.
 DO: Write milestone-driven Specific Aims with clear success criteria.
Read on
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Who Needs SBIR/STTR Training Anyway??
As you may have noticed by the story above, we love to start a  new year by making helpful lists. Lots of people don't think they need training before they embark on writing an SBIR/STTR proposal. Maybe they've written other grant proposals before or maybe they don't want to invest the time. Whatever the reason, BBCetc doesn't buy it!
Here are some reasons we'd like to offer to convince you to come and get trained before you start on your proposal:
- If it seems like a big time investment, know that it will take you much longer to get the same information any other way.
- It's more efficient to get advice and ask questions from a person who has read hundreds of proposals, rather than from hundreds of people who have written one proposal each.
- Proposal-writing is a form of selling. Training helps you learn how to position your project to appeal to the agency's needs and to present it in the format they demand.
- It's an opportunity to collect training materials that you'll refer to again and again.
- To learn the important lesson that you can't throw a proposal together over the weekend.
- To learn that the writing is the easy part. Planning is the hard work.
- SBIR/STTR rules are frequently revised. Staying current will help you avoid making mistakes that could disqualify your proposal!
- SBIR and STTR are becoming increasingly competitive. Learning program nuances doesn't happen in one proposal submission. You will pick up new information that can help your proposals each time you attend training.
- Attending programs with like-minded people offers you a networking opportunity that may pay off with new insights and collaborations.
- It's a chance to teach others in your company or team about writing solid proposals for this unique form of nondilutive funding.
So the answer to the question of who needs SBIR/STTR training?
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More Funding Opportunities
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Agency
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Title
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FOA #
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Posted/Due Date
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DOD
Dept. of Army
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USAMRMC FY17 BAA / Extramural Medical Research Synopsis 2
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Posted: 10/1/16
Closes: 9/30/17
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HHS
NIH
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Innovations for Healthy Living-Improving Population Health & Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44)
Synopsis 1
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Posted: 12/12/16
Closes: 2/22/17
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HHS
NIH
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Technologies for Improving Minority Health & Eliminating Health Disparities (R41/R42) Synopsis 1
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Posted: 12/12/16
Closes: 2/22/17
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Released June 5, 2016
Closes April 5
Closes Jan 18
Closes Jan 20
Closes Feb 7
Closes Feb 8
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link up with
lockheed martin
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Proposal Prep for NIH
Grant Writing Workshop
1/24-25 - Chicago, IL
Grant & Contract Mgmt
Commercialization for Early-Stage Companies
Proposal Prep for NSF
Think Your Company is Too Big for SBIR? Think Again.
ABCs of SBIR/STTR
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"I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."
- Steve Jobs
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