Attend "Funding American Innovation"
The National SBIR Conference in Austin Nov. 11 - 13
Are you a tech entrepreneur needing capital for startup growth? Learn how to access $2.3B in non-dilutive funding that preserves IP rights at the Fall National Small Business Innovation Research Conference (NSC) Nov 11 - 13 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin TX.
NSC is a great three-day opportunity to meet SBIR funders and successful SBIR-funded startups. Learn how to compete for your share of SBIR/STTR funding, and get free SBIR mentoring. SBIR, offered by 11 federal agencies who want to meet you in Austin, aligns well with angel/venture funding, and supports a wide array of emerging technologies. The agenda includes:
- One-on-one meetings to pitch your technology with 30+ SBIR/STTR organizations from all federal agencies, plus industrial technology customers - schedule your meetings today!
- 20+ panel sessions featuring agencies, successful small firms, industry partners, and SBIR/STTR experts from state and private sectors.
- Proven three-hour training sessions on writing successful SBIR proposals, fiscal management, and the ins and outs of the SBIR/STTR program.
- Access to key leaders of federal SBIR/STTR organizations via 20-minute briefings on their tech interests.
- Abundant networking opportunities.
- Exhibit Hall featuring SBIR/STTR Agency Pavilion, Fortune 1000 firms, universities, and SBIR/STTR-funded businesses.
BBCetc will be at the Conference in force along with a contingent of Michigan SBIR/STTR companies. In addition to Becky Aistrup's role on the planning Conference committee, she and Lisa Kurek will present "Phase II Proposal Development" on Tues., Nov. 11 (9AM-12PM and 1-4 PM), and Kris Bergman will present information on fiscal practices unique to grants as part of the "Accounting Basics" session on Wed., Nov. 12 (8:30-10:30 PM). Be sure to visit us at the BBCetc Booth (#252) in the Showcase!
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Webinars Connect Applicants to NIH Peer Review ExpertsThe National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review will host four "Meet the Experts in NIH Peer Review" webinars in early November to give new NIH grant applicants and others useful insights into the submission and review processes. Webinars will run from 2-4 p.m., and each will focus on a different type of NIH grant application:
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Make Sure That New Application is New
When you use an old application as the starting point for a new (A0) application, the A0 must not reference any prior applications or reviews; if it does, NIH will withdraw it without a review.
Although the earlier version of these FAQs already emphasized that an A0 shouldn't reference a prior application in any way, the updated FAQs add a series of examples so you'll know how to properly reference earlier research without making your A0 application sound like a resubmission (A1).
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Niche Assessment Program Introduced
NIH's new Niche Assessment Program is designed to help small businesses strategically position their technologies in the marketplace through an in-depth report on potential applications. All active NIH SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees (by grant or contract) are eligible to apply, and 136 will receive a niche analysis provided by Foresight Science & Technology, Providence, RI. Foresight will perform the due diligence on markets appropriate for each SBIR/STTR technology and develop an in-depth report for each SBIR/STTR awardee addressing such things as needs and concerns of end-users; competing technologies and competing products; market size and potential market share (may include national and/or global markets); etc.
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 Policies & Procedures are a Must, So Buckle Down and Get it Done
 Most Policies & Procedures (P&P) manuals sit in a corner collecting dust and are pulled out only as a reference of last resort. But take note, SBIR/STTR applicants and awardees, agencies expect you to have P&Ps in place to serve as your bible for managing your funds and activities. And practically speaking, if you ever need to defend an action, behavior or practice, "If it isn't written, it didn't happen!"
So how do you get started drafting your P&P? Like most things, it's best to start with the basics. Get your goal/mission down in writing and list the roles and responsibilities of each employee of your company. Then outline the possible sections of your P&P manual; things like:
- Accounting - Describe the various aspects of your accounting system and how each will be handled. This includes things like cost types and monitoring, financial capabilities and reporting, procurement, payroll, accounts receivable and payable, etc.
- Labor - How are timesheets prepared and reviewed? Who explains time keeping to new employees? Who prepares payroll?
- Employee Leave - What is your policy on paid time off, holidays, vacation and sick leave? Is vacation accrued, use it or lose it, paid upon termination?
- Travel - How is company travel managed? What is the mileage rate for use of personal vehicles? Do you have company credit cards? What is your policy on flight allowances and rental car use?
- Misconduct - Describe your company's policy on confidentiality and how to go about reporting breaches, steps for handling and resolving allegations, as well as reporting to the Office of Research Integrity
You will also need policies on contract management, emergencies, security, research protection (use of animals and humans), etc.
Clearly written and reasonable policies and procedures help management:
- Define required steps to achieve a goal
- Measure employee/company performance
- Train new employees
- Avoid misunderstandings and confrontation
- Provide confidence to staff and agencies that you know what you are doing
- Provide consistency and accountability
- Lay a foundation for improvement
Just going through the process of thinking through the issues involved in each section of your P&P is immensely informative, so write, edit, and re-write until you have a comprehensive document with the flexibility to change based on lessons learned. Then distribute it to your employees, implement and practice it!
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Air Force Test Center will Hold Small Business Industry Day
The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) will host a Small Business Industry Day (SBID) Nov. 18-20 in Huntsville, AL. The SBID provides a forum for small businesses to present products of interest to the AF, learn about upcoming AFTC business opportunities, meet with subject matter experts on technology needs, and meet with major defense contractors for partnership opportunities. Depending on the level of response and associated building capacity, attendance may be limited and/or on a first come, first serve basis. REGISTER
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The National Science Foundation has revamped its website with improvements to make the proposal preparation and submission process more user friendly. Check out its clean, easy-to- navigate new format. Be sure to make use of the NSF SBIR/STTR Portfolio. Whether you are a prospective grantee or industry representative, tap into this useful network by browsing, keyword searching, and navigating the grantee map.
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...Webinars Feature Peer Review Experts
...Make Sure that New Application is New
...Niche Assessment Program Introduced
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training on tap
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Onsite
NIH SBIR/STTR Crash
Oct 23 - Plymouth, MI
Oct 29 - Chicago, IL
SBIR/STTR 101: Intro & Overview
Oct 30 - Ypsilanti, MI
SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep for DOE
Dec 5 - Detroit, MI
NIH Phase II Proposal Prep
Dec 8 - Detroit, MI
Webinars
Oct 28 - QuickBooks & Compliance for SBIR/STTR Awardees Nov 4 - DOE SBIR/STTR Program and Topics Overview
Nov 5 - NSF Proposal Prep Essentials
Nov 6 - Tips on Forms & Electronic Submission to NIH
Nov 18 - DOD Pre- award Assurances & When Do I Get the Money?
Nov 19 - Tips on Forms, Budgets & Electronic Submission to NSF
Dec 9 - ABC's of SBIR/STTR Funding
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solicitations
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NSFSBIR Ph I (14-603) - Opens Nov 2; closes Dec 2
NSF STTR Ph I (14-608) - Opens Nov 5; closes Dec 5
Air Force Materiel Command BAA-RIK-12-14 Areas of interest include the four AFRL/RI Core Technical Competencies (CTCs):
1. Autonomy, C2 Planning, and Decision Support,
2. Processing and Exploitation,
3. Cyber Science and Technology, and
4. Connectivity and Dissemination
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BBC is proud of its client, The PLAY Project RCT, recently published by the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics! Click here to access article. Bravo!
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aw, shucks
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"Who could have imagined it was possible to dish up an enjoyable presentation on "Formatting and readability tips for SBIR/STTR proposals"? Who knew the main event was motivation to start writing early? Now we know what we need to do.
Hat's off to BBCetc AND thanks to Andrea (Johanson, principal consultant)."
Gilbert Staffend, Aeradigm
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BBCetc is nationally recognized for its expertise in helping technology-based entrepreneurs win federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and use it strategically to propel growth. Its Michigan clients have been awarded over $130 million in funding since 2002. BBCetc capabilities include:
- Commercialization Planning
- Research Grant Assistance
- SBIR/STTR Training (View Course Catalog)
- Grants/Contracts Management
- Tech-Based Economic Development Programs
734-930-9741
Copyright © 2014 BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, LLC
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