Recognizing Excellence and Celebrating the SBIR/STTR Program
Nominations for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Tibbetts Awards for FY22 are now closed.
The SBA recognizes companies, organizations and individuals who exemplify the spirit and intent of the SBIR/STTR programs with the Tibbetts Awards. These awards not only recognize the successes but help us document the economic, technical, and societal benefits from SBIR/STTR funding. The first award ceremony was in 1996. This year will be a special ceremony as it’s the 40th anniversary of the launch of the program.
Tibbetts Awards
Named after Roland Tibbetts, the acknowledged founder of the SBIR program, the prestigious Tibbetts Awards recognize those companies, organizations, and individuals that exemplify the very best in SBIR/STTR achievements.
The Awards are presented to those that promote the mission and goals of the SBIR/STTR programs:
- Stimulate technological innovation.
- Work with small business to meet federal research and development needs.
- Encourage diverse participation in innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D.
- Foster technology transfer through cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions.
Nomination Guidelines
Anyone may nominate a company or organization in the SBIR/STTR ecosystem for a Tibbetts Award. These awards are presented to those who have leveraged their SBIR/STTR investment or helped others do so, in a way that has generated a measurable impact and demonstrates the spirit and mission of the SBIR/STTR programs. Self-nominations are accepted. For FY22, there will not be an Individual category.
- Companies are evaluated on how they leveraged the SBIR/STTR investment and program to stimulate technological innovation, generate business impacts, and spur economic as well as broader societal benefits and/or national scientific and research advancements. Self-nominations are accepted in this category.
- Organizations are evaluated on impact, creation of supportive ecosystems, success with underrepresented groups, innovative and successful initiatives, advocacy and sustainability of SBIR/STTR programs.
- Questions? Email info.tibbetts@sba.gov
Nomination Process
Tibbetts Awardees are selected based on recommendations by a panel of judges. Award notifications will be sent to the recipients via email, and announced in the summer.
Tibbetts and SBIR Hall of Fame Awardees Listing
Award Ceremonies Picture Gallery
2016 SBIR Hall of Fame and Tibbetts Awards Ceremony:
2015 SBIR Hall of Fame and Tibbetts Awards Ceremony:
2011 SBIR Hall of Fame and Tibbetts Awards Ceremony:
