Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) at
Links and Resources
Authority
- P.L. 92-219 (Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982) reauthorized Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-554), Small Business Technology Transfer Program Reauthorization Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-50).
Description
The goal of the SBIR/STTR programs is to stimulate technological innovation. The programs also seek to increase the use of small businesses, including women-owned and disadvantaged firms, to meet federal research and development needs, and to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federally funded research.
Under SBIR Program, the Principal Investigator must have his/her primary employment with the small business concern at the time of award and for the duration of the project period; however, under the STTR Program, primary employment is not stipulated.
Second, the STTR Program requires research partners at universities and other non-profit research institutions to have a formal collaborative relationship with the small business concern. At least 40 percent of the STTR research project is to be conducted by the small business concern and at least 30 percent of the work is to be conducted by the single, "partnering" research institution.
Features/Characteristics
Phase I. The objective of Phase I is to establish the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed R/R&D efforts. Support under Phase I is normally provided for six months/$100,000 for SBIR and one year/$100,000 for STTR.
Phase II. The objective of Phase II is to continue the R/R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Only Phase I awardees are eligible for a Phase II award. SBIR and STTR Phase II awards normally may not exceed $750,000 total.
Phase III: In some federal agencies, Phase III may involve follow-on non-SBIR/STTR funded R&D or production contracts for products, processes or services intended for use by the U.S. government.
I.P. and Resource Commitment
- Intellectual property that is the result of the program belongs to the inventor, but the government retains the right to use said invention.
Other Agencies/Laboratories That Use This Mechanism
