 Got Energy Ideas?(Now is the time to pursue them energetically!)
The Department of Energy has issued its FY 2012 Phase I (Release 3) Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA- 0000715) for the SBIR/STTR programs. This FOA is unusual in two ways:
- It requires submission of a five-page Pre-Application which may result in an invitation from DOE to submit a Full Application
- The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is the only DOE Research Program that's participating
Technical Topics
The FOA includes broad topic areas including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomass, Buildings, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies, Solar, Vehicles, Water, and Wind. Click here to download the combined FOA and Topics document.
Important Dates
June 5, 2012 - Feedback on Pre-Application
July 3, 2012, 11:59 p.m. EDT - deadline for receipt of Full Application
Pre-Application Process
In addition to basic Company information the pre-application must include:
- DOE technical topic and subtopic that is being addressed
- Project title
- Name of the Principal Investigator
- Names of any proposed subcontractors or consultants
- A technical project description (less than 2,000 words) detailing the Company's technology and application
A pre-application template is available here. The completed pre-application is emailed to the DOE SBIR/STTR Programs Office. The deadline for receipt of Pre-Application is May 1, 2012. Companies will receive feedback on the Pre-Application by June 5, 2012. Submitting the Full ApplicationFull Applications will only be accepted electronically through www.grants.gov. You cannot submit an application through Grants.gov unless you are registered. Remember, the process can require several weeks to complete so don't delay. Start now! If you have registered previously, don't be complacent. Your Central Contractor Registration (CCR) number must be updated every year. Confirm that you're up-to-date here. Qualified small businesses with strong research capabilities in science or engineering in any of the targeted research areas are encouraged to apply. Michigan companies might be eligible for assistance through BBC's statewide program. Companies outside Michigan should contact BBC to discuss how we can help them.
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Your Comments Needed...By now, most of our readers are aware that legislation to reauthorize SBIR/STTR passed at the beginning of this year. Hopefully you are also aware that the changes are not yet in effect. Why not? The SBA has the job of translating the law into practice for the 11 participating federal agencies to then incorporate into their solicitations. It is a very confusing process! One component of the process involves requests for public comment. Most companies that we've talked to have very strong opinions, both positive and negative, about the changes. We are encouraging everyone to participate in the public comment periods as SBA releases information. Unfortunately, this too is a bit confusing as to just when that will happen.
Here are a couple of links where you can get information that is available as of today: SBA.gov and SBIR Gateway. Stay tuned to BBC's tweets and newsletters as more information becomes available. |
SBIR/STTR Conference/NIH Regional SeminarRegistration is now open for the 14th Annual NIH SBIR/STTR Conference, May 30 - June 1, in Louisville, KY. Learn the "ins and outs" of the NIH SBIR/STTR programs, including new opportunities, updates, and changes. In addition to the regular conference program, a la carte workshops, including SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposal Development led by BBC managing partner, Lisa Kurek, will be held on June 1. |
 "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
- Aristotle
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Who we are
BBC is nationally recognized for its expertise in helping technology-based entrepreneurs to win federal grants and contracts through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and to use that funding strategically to propel growth. BBC-assisted proposals have a success rate 2-3 times the national average across several federal agencies. Its clients have been awarded over $100 million in funding since 2002. Through training courses and one-on-one consulting, experienced and passionate BBC staff members guide client companies through the entire entrepreneurial continuum of proposal preparation, grant management, commercialization and business planning, and obtaining follow-on funding. For more information, email or call us at 734-930-9741. |
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just posted
The Key to Commercialization: A Six-Part Series by Michael Kurek, PhD, BBC Partner
Part 3: Understand the Buying Process to Identify Customers
Who is your customer? It's a deceptively simple question ... but many entrepreneurs we work with at BBC have no ready answer.
Perhaps the more relevant question is: what is a customer? Is the customer the end-user of your product, the person that makes the buying decision, or the actual purchaser? In many cases these are one-and-the-same individual. But often it's not that simple. So you need to carefully analyze the market environment in which your product or service will exist. Read on... |
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 "aw, shucks"
"I just attended the webinar and wanted to thank Lisa and BBC for offering such informational presentations to the general small business and research community. I met Lisa in Chicago at a presentation and appreciated her delivery style and professional approach to the subject matter. No question was unimportant, and she answered everyone's. She treated everyone as a friend and colleague.
Her informative and professional presentation today and in Chicago just reinforced my appreciation of her and this organization.
Thank you all for providing this service. Keep up the good work."
John Philipps
Senior Grants and Contracts Manager
The University of Chicago
-After attending a recent BBC webinar |
upcoming
training
SBIR/STTR 101: Introduction & Overview
Apr 12 - Lansing, MI
May 10 - Manchester, NH
May 21 - Sterling Heights. MIJun 14 - Midland, MI
SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep for NIH Apr 24-25 - Plymouth, MI
Jun 5-6 - Kalamazoo, MI
Jun 6-7 - Chicago, IL
SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep for NSF Apr 19 - Newark, DE
SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep
for DoD
May 2 - Grand Rapids, MI (also
includes NSF information)
May 8 - Nashua, NH
Webinars:
May 1 - DoD Overview
Jun 28 - Tips on Electronic Submission to NIH
May 3 - Preparing a Budget for
SBIR/STTR Proposals
May 10 - Preparing for Gov't.
Funding Audits
May 17 - SBIR/STTR Indirect Rate
Development
May 24 QuickBooks for SBIR/STTR
Funding Recipients
Jun 7 - Managing Your SBIR/STTR
Award in a Compliant Manner
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