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Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

Contents

• Introduction
• Objectives
• Program Structure
• NIBIB Areas of Interest
• Funding Opportunities
• Helpful Resources
  • Federal
  • NIH
  • NIBIB
  • Other
• NIBIB Contacts

Introduction

The mission of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) is to improve health by leading the development and application of emerging and breakthrough biomedical technologies based in the physical and engineering sciences. Congressional legislation mandates that the NIBIB “facilitate the transfer of technologies to medical applications.” In accordance with this mandate, the NIBIB supports the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is a highly competitive three-phase award system which provides qualified small business concerns with opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet the specific research and research and development needs of the Federal Government.

Objectives

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were developed to meet the following objectives:

• using small businesses to stimulate technological innovation;
• strengthening the role of small business in meeting Federal research/research and development (R/R&D) needs;
• increasing private sector commercialization of innovations developed through Federal SBIR R&D;
• increasing small business participation in Federal R/R&D; and
• fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned business concerns in the SBIR program.

The SBIR and STTR programs are similar in that both programs seek to increase the participation of small businesses in Federal R&D and to increase private sector commercialization of technology developed through Federal R&D. The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business concern to formally collaborate with a research institution in both phases of the research project.

Program Structure

The SBIR and STTR programs are structured in two phases:

• Phase I – The objective of Phase I is to establish the technical merit and feasibility and potential for commercialization of the proposed R&D efforts, and to determine the quality of performance of the small business awardee organization prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. Support under Phase I normally may not exceed $100,000 for total costs [direct costs, facility and administrative (F&A) costs, and negotiated fee] for a period normally not to exceed six months for SBIR and one year for STTR.
• Phase II – The objective of Phase II is to continue the R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II. Only Phase I awardees are eligible for a Phase II award. Support for SBIR and STTR Phase II awards normally may not exceed $750,000 total costs (direct costs, F&A costs, and negotiated fee) for a period normally not to exceed two years.

Deviations from the indicated Phase I/Phase II statutory award amount and project period guidelines are acceptable, but must be well justified and should be discussed with the appropriate NIH staff prior to submission of the application.

NIBIB Areas of Interest

The NIBIB welcomes SBIR and STTR applications from small businesses proposing research and development in various areas of biomedical imaging and bioengineering.

Biomedical imaging research supported by the NIBIB includes imaging device development, biomedical imaging technology development, image processing, imaging agent and molecular probe development, informatics and computer sciences related to imaging, molecular and cellular imaging, bioelectrics/biomagnetics, organ and whole body imaging, screening for diseases and disorders, and imaging technology assessment.

Bioengineering research supported by the NIBIB includes biomaterials, biomechanics and rehabilitation engineering, tissue engineeriing, medical devices and implant science, therapeutic agent delivery systems, biosensors, platform technologies, nanotechnology, mathematical models and computational algorithms, bioinformatics and medical informatics, remote diagnosis and therapy, image-guided interventions, and surgical tools and techniques.

For a more detailed description of the NIBIB program areas, see: http://www.nibib.nih.gov/Research/ProgramAreas.

Funding Opportunities

• Development and Translation of Medical Technologies that Reduce Health Disparities (RFA-ED-09-001) – The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development and translation of medical technologies aimed at addressing the health care needs of a health disparity population. Appropriated medical technologies should be effective, affordable, culturally acceptable, and easily accessible to those who need them. A population is a health disparity population if there is a significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortaility, or survival rates in the population as compared to the health status of the general population. Health disparity populations may include racial and ethnic minorities, low socioeconomic populations, and rural populations. Additional information may be found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-09-001.html.
• Information on current SBIR and STTR funding opportunities may be found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm.

Helpful Resources

Federal

• Frequently asked questions about the SBIR and STTR programs
  United States Small Business Administration - (http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/sbir/indexfaqs.html)
• United States Small Business Administration Office of Technology
  (http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/SBIR/)
• Small Business Innovation Research Information
  (http://sbir.gov/)
• Business.gov
  The official business site of the U.S. Government - (http://www.business.gov/)

NIH

• SBIT/STTR Policy and Grantsmanship Information
  Office of Extramural Research - (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir_policy.htm)
• Submitting competing SBIR/STTR Grant Applications
  Office of Extramural Research - (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr_receipt_dates.htm)
• Advice on Small Business (SBIR and STTR) Applications
  From NIAID - (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/sbir/pres.htm)
• Tips to Improve an SBIR/STTR Application
  From NIDA - (http://www.drugabuse.gov/Funding/tips.html)
• Sample Annotated SBIR Application
  From NIAID - (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/NCN/sbir/app/default.htm)

NIBIB

• Policies for Researchers
  Use of human subjects, animals, stem cells; data sharing; intellectual property
• Grant Application Resources
  Staff presentations; links on grant writing, submission, grant receipt and review

Other

• SBIR Gateway
  A site provided by Zyn Systems that serves state and federal governments and small businesses and accepts no outside funding - (http://www.zyn.com/sbir/)

NIBIB Contacts

Applicants are very strongly encouraged to contact NIBIB staff before submitting an SBIR or STTR application. Additional information can be obtained from::

Research Tipocs:
Todd Merchak, B.S.
Program Specialist
Phone: 301-496-8592

Administrative/Business Management:
Florence Turska
Office of Grants Management
Phone: 301-496-9314