by Graeff, Frank – The Grants Resource Center
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently made major changes to how Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I and II applications are handled. Any proposals submitted after May 18, 2018 must abide by the newly enacted Terms and Conditions.
The SBIR/STTR program’s goal is to increase the incentive and opportunity for small firms to undertake cutting-edge, high-risk, high-quality scientific, engineering, or science and engineering education research that would have a high-potential economic payoff if the research is successful. Only small businesses can apply for this program, but STTR projects require that researchers at universities play a significant intellectual role (university involvement is optional for SBIR projects). Phase I awards allow businesses to conduct “proof-of-concept” research, and allow them to apply for Phase II scale up research funding.
Changes to NSF SBIR/STTR include the following:
- Development of a separate NSF prior approval matrix for awards made to state and local governments or for-profit organizations;
- Modification of Research.gov to include an “Other” category, which must be used to submit prior approval requirements that do not already have a specific request type in NSF’s electronic systems;
- Revision of the Equipment article for Phase II awards to provide clarity on reporting requirements for NSF-owned equipment;
- Revision of the Patent Rights article to implement government-wide changes to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bayh-Dole regulations; and
- A new requirement for awardees to have procedures in place to respond to a breach of personally identifiable information (PII) and notify NSF that a breach of PII within the scope of an NSF award has occurred.
The next deadline for Phase I awards is June 14, 2018. To read more about the SBIR program, click here.
