From breakthrough medical devices to renewable energy solutions, your innovative technology could be the next big thing — and the SBIR/STTR program can help make it happen. That’s why KU Innovation Park is hosting an SBIR/STTR boot camp on January 23-24. Space is limited, and an application is required to participate.
THE BASICS
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are U.S. government initiatives that provide funding to small businesses engaged in federal research and development (R&D) with strong commercialization potential. These programs aim to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal R&D needs, and encourage the participation of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in technological innovation.
The SBIR and STTR programs encompass a broad spectrum of technologies, including but not limited to:
- Health and Biomedical Innovations: These include medical devices, diagnostics, digital health solutions, and pharmaceuticals.
- Defense and Aerospace Technologies: Including advanced materials, cybersecurity, and space exploration tools.
- Energy and Environmental Solutions: Think renewable energy technologies, energy storage systems, and environmental monitoring tools.
- Education and Information Technologies: This covers educational software, learning platforms, and data analytics tools.
Each federal agency participating in the SBIR/STTR programs identifies specific R&D topics in their solicitations, reflecting their mission and priorities. For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focuses on health-related innovations, while the Department of Defense (DoD) emphasizes defense technologies.
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for SBIR/STTR funding, a business must:
- Be a for-profit entity with a business location in the United States.
- Have no more than 500 employees, including affiliates.
- Be more than 50% directly owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.
See the full eligibility criteria here.
For STTR, the small business must partner with a U.S. research institution, such as a university or a nonprofit research organization.
Engaging with the SBIR and STTR programs can provide small businesses with critical funding to advance innovative technologies from concept to commercialization, contributing significantly to technological advancement and economic growth.
APPLY BY JANUARY 10
Led by Julie Assel, one of the region’s most accomplished grant writers, and supported by the KU Innovation Park team, this hands-on program will guide researchers in the KU community through the critical steps of preparing a strong SBIR/STTR grant application. Participants will benefit from group instruction and personalized coaching as they draft and refine key sections of their proposals.
By the end of the boot camp, attendees will have developed a solid working draft to kickstart their grant submission process.
Dive deeper: America’s Seed Fund Week 2025 will take place February 11-13, 2025 and serves as the official kick-off for the 2025 SBIR/STTR Road Tour Program. This free online event connects entrepreneurs across the nation working on advanced technologies and the organizations that support them to America’s Seed Fund, the country’s largest source of early-stage funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Register for the virtual Road Tour Program by clicking here.