This is an introductory level course for those that would like to learn more about the SBIR/STTR programs and how they can apply to the programs, with particular emphasis on how universities and university researchers can benefit.

Each lecture is a 90-minute webinar. There will be expert guest speakers for each session.

This online webinar course is for researchers and universities looking to commercialize inventions through startup creation and funding using the over $2 Billion Federal SBIR/STTR Program.

SBIRs/STTRs are the principal federal programs to fund research and development for the express purpose of commercialization. These programs are designed to stimulate small business technological innovation and cutting-edge research that addresses the nation’s most critical scientific and engineering needs, and to provide incentive to profit from its commercialization. Often times, university research results in a discovery that may have commercial potential but needs further research. The SBIR/STTR program may be a natural next step for those university investigators with commercially viable ideas that need to be proven and further developed.

Federal agencies with extramural (external) R&D budgets in excess of $100 million must allocate 2.5% of these funds for competitive grants to small companies. There are presently 11 participating agencies with a total of more than $2 billion available for SBIR annually. Agencies include:

• National Science Foundation
• Dept. of Health and Human Services (NIH, CDC, FDA)
• Dept. of Energy
• Dept. of Commerce (NIST)
• Dept. of Defense
• Dept. of Homeland Security
• Dept. of Agriculture
• Dept. of Education
• Dept. of Transportation
• Environmental Protection Agency
• NASA

• The company size can be as small as one person, but not greater than 500 employees
• The company must be owned at least 51% by American citizens or permanent resident alien individuals and organized for profit
• The research must be conducted in the US