You are here
America's Seed Fund Update for December 2020
December 2020 - America's Seed Fund Update Newsletter
View newsletter as a webpage
- Don't Miss...
- News & Updates
- Events & Education
- R&D Spotlight - Data Stories
- Local Assistance - Meet FAST
- SBIR Success - Insects as an alternative protein source to reduce crop demands
- SBIR/STTR Funding Opportunities
Deadline to apply for NIH Phase I SBIR/STTR application guidance through the Applicant Assistance Program is 5:00pm ET Dec 15 (today!).
DOE Phase I SBIR/STTR Funding Opportunity Announcement was just released. Apply for their Phase 0 Assistance Program and join the webinar on Dec 18 at 2:00pm ET (register).
DoD is hosting a public meeting on implementation of SBIR/STTR data rights in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) on Jan 14 and has extended the comment period for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking. Read the notice.
NASA has selected 19 proposals from 17 U.S. small businesses for a total of more than $14 million in follow-on funding through the STTR program. To view all the STTR Phase II selections in this round, visit here.
The U.S. Army has announced contracts of up to $1.1 million each with nine small businesses and nonprofit research institutions to develop technologies capable of meeting certain military challenges. Read more here.
The Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network podcast recently interviewed Ankit Agarwal, CEO of Imbed Biosciences, an NIH SBIR Phase I and II awardee. Hear his story and NEN’s other episodes here, and read more from NIH.
Rheaply, a Chicago-based startup working on a SBIR Phase II project for the U.S. Air Force, won the $1 million prize in the Rise of the Rest Tour’s pitch competition. Read more here.
APEX (Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment) – Understanding US Air Force SBIR/STTR Opportunities for Universities. 2 repeated sessions: Register for Dec 15 | 10:00am ET OR Register for Dec 17 | 10:00am ET.
NSF: Deep Tech Venture Capital and Corporate Partnerships. Dec 18 | 12:00pm ET. Read more and register.
US Air Force STTR HBCU Initiative: Ask Me Anything. Jan 5 | 11:00am ET. Read more and register.
USPTO IP basics and helpful resources for innovators and entrepreneurs. Jan 7 | 12:00pm ET. Read more and register.
TechConnect WV SBIR/STTR Bootcamp. Jan 7 | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET. Read more and register.
Montana Innovation Partnership Online SBIR/STTR Cost Proposal and Government Accounting Workshop. Jan 21 | 10:30am to 6:00pm ET. Read more and register.
Missed the fall sessions with the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium? Review the intro session with SBA or the webinar during the NASA Innovation and Opportunity Conference.
Look for upcoming events at sbir.gov/events. Submit an event at sbir.gov/feedback?type=sre.
US ranks first in overall R&D spending, falls to 10th in R&D investment intensity
A report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) analyzes the role R&D investment plays within the U.S. while also examining research and development trends globally. It found that while the country leads in total R&D spending, it ranks tenth in R&D intensity, a measure of R&D investment as a percent of GDP. The AAAS brief also explores the growth of the research workforce throughout the world. Read more about the report’s findings here.
A new data set reveals microenterprise R&D performance by state
A new data set resulting from a collaboration between the Census Bureau and the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to untangle the dynamics of research and development (R&D) performed by private companies. SSTI’s analysis of this new data shows the total R&D performed by microenterprises in each state, and the portion of that R&D which the companies paid for themselves. Read more at ssti.org.
The Federal And State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program funded 24 organizations this year, building the SBIR/STTR ecosystem through outreach, technical assistance, and financial support. Meet two of the FAST awardees:
Arkansas SBTDC provides services and resources including topic identification, proposal assistance (drafting and review), market research, training and a self-assessment tool for small businesses in Arkansas that want to learn more about SBIR/STTR. Learn more.
Colorado SBDC Techsource focuses on SBIR/STTR awards, tax credits, and more to maximize the economic potential of science and technology companies. Their Tech Venture Accelerator for Women is accepting applications Jan 4-15. Learn more.
Not in Arkansas or Colorado? Find local assistance near you at sbir.gov/local-assistance.
SBIR Success - Insects as an alternative protein source to reduce crop demands
Beta Hatch, Washington -- With support from an NSF SBIR award, Beta Hatch is industrializing the production of insects as an alternative protein source for animals. Their technology is focused on mealworms and their waste and could help offset the need for one-third of global crop production used as feed. The company received a venture capital investment of $3 million earlier this year. Read more.
Get inspired by more SBIR Company Stories at sbir.gov/news/success-stories.
SBIR/STTR Funding Opportunities
Find more funding opportunities and specific topic areas at sbir.gov/funding. These are listed alphabetically by agency.
Dept of Commerce (DOC)
NOAA SBIR Notice of Funding Opportunity FY2021. Due 1/13/2021.
Dept of Defense (DoD)
New requirements will be in place for all SBIR/STTR proposal submissions effective Jan 13. See section 5.0 of BAA instructions.
Army SBIR 2021.4 Emerging Technology Leaders. Due 1/12/2021.
- STTR: Thermal Emission Control using Dynamic Structured Materials. Due 1/5/2021
- Smart Hemorrhage Control and Resuscitation at Point of Injury. Due 1/5/2021
- Rapid and automated sterility testing of biologics. Due 1/12/2021
SBIR 21.1/STTR 21. Currently in pre-release. During pre-release you may have direct contact with topic authors to better understand topic requirements. Solicitation opens 1/14/21, proposals due 2/18/21.
Dept of Education (ED)
Education Phase I Solicitation and Special Education Phase I Solicitation. Due 1/21/2021.
Dept of Energy (DOE)
ARPA-E Topics Informing New Program Areas.
- Supporting Entrepreneurial Energy Discoveries (SEED). Due 1/14/2021
Phase I Release 2 FOA issued. Letters of Intent due 1/4/2021.
- Thinking of applying? Learn about the Phase 0 SBIR/STTR Assistance Program.
Dept of Homeland Security (DHS)
SBIR 21.1. Solicitation now open. Due 1/15/21.
Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS)
NIH, CDC, FDA SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitations next due 1/5/2021.
- Start planning for the 4/5/2021 due date - Learn about the NIH Applicant Assistance Program.
SBIR Technology Transfer (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). Due 1/5/2021.
Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP). Due 1/5/2021.
Regional Technology Transfer Accelerator Hubs for IDeA States (STTR). Due 1/5/2021.
Additional targeted funding opportunities on specific topics with various upcoming due dates can be found here.
NASA
SBIR/STTR 2021 Program Solicitation. Due 1/8/2021.
- Check out the NASA Resource Library
About America's Seed Fund Update
Our goal is to provide a range of information that will be valuable to the SBIR/STTR programs’ various stakeholders, and future issues will include features on program data, impacts and policies, and more. If you have suggestions, let us know at technology@sba.gov.
Share with a friend or colleague -- individuals interested in subscribing to the newsletter can sign up at http://bit.ly/JoinSBIRList
About SBA Office of Innovation and Technology
The U.S. Small Business Administration serves as the coordinating agency for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs - also known as America's Seed Fund. SBA also manages the related Federal And State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program and Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. Learn more at sbir.gov
