The Minority Business Development Agency is well positioned to take a pragmatic approach to increase the number of minority business enterprises (MBEs) that participate in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and to assist in their success.
As minority firms continue to face challenges in seeking the appropriate resources and capital to spur technology development, MBDA is prepared to collaborate with the 11 Federal agencies currently managing SBIR/STTR programs to maximize participation among MBE’s, academia and industry. The minority business community is uniquely situated to leverage federal R&D funds and private sector resources to bring viable products to market.
SBIR/STTR Program Overview Presentation
Combined, the 11 federal agencies award $2.6 billion in SBIR and STTR grants and contracts annually with these goals:
Stimulating technological innovation
Meeting federal R&D needs
Fostering participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged persons, and
Increasing private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D funding.
Small Business Innovation Research
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.
Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
Learn more about SBIR
Small Business Technology Transfer
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena. Central to the program is expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include the joint venture opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit research institutions.
The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. STTR's most important role is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations.
Learn more about STTR
Department of Commerce SBIR
The mission of the Department of Commerce is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. As part of the Obama administration’s economic team, the Secretary of Commerce serves as the voice of U.S. business within the President’s Cabinet. The Department works with businesses, universities, communities, and the Nation’s workers to promote job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for Americans.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) SBIR Program is seeking highly innovative products with excellent commercial potential.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) SBIR Program solicits from small businesses scientific and engineering related R&D proposals that respond to specific technical needs described in the annual Solicitation.
SBIR/STTR Learning Center
The On-Line Tutorials is a set of courses designed to help interested parties learn more about the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. As individuals learn in different ways, information in each course is presented in three different formats.
Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) Program
Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) Program is a competitive grants program designed to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small businesses. It improves the participation of small technology firms in the innovation and commercialization of new technology, thereby helping keep the United States on the cutting edge of research and development in science and technology.
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the American Samoa may receive funding for an array of services (e.g., outreach and technical assistance) in support of the Small Business Innovation Research SBIR/STTR programs. Need assistance with SBIR/STTR? Contact a FAST representative today!
