The Department of Health and Human Services SBIR/STTR grant solicitation aimed at supporting small business innovation research is now available.
Through the PHS 2013-02 SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitation, U.S. small businesses are encouraged to submit investigator-initiated SBIR/STTR grant applications in response to a variety of identified topics related to the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Administration for Children and Families.
The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011 and the recently released SBIR and STTR policy directives have brought about numerous – and often times, complicated – changes. In an effort to keep the small business research community aware of the impending modifications, the NIH has set up a new website providing a detailed overview of its implementation plan. In addition, HHS intends to revise or re-issue the Omnibus solicitation later this year. To stay informed, download a copy of the current solicitation and request to be updated as changes are made.
It’s important to note the NIH will adhere to the new award limitations, only issuing a maximum of $225,000 for Phase I and $1.5 million for Phase II. While there is a waiver process that allows for awards that exceed this guideline, it requires approval and may delay any funding. In addition, up to $5,000 in technical assistance can now be requested. The contractor performing the work must be named and the awardee will forfeit any commercialization assistance offered by the NIH. This solicitation does not allow any crossover from an STTR Phase I to an SBIR Phase II – or vice versa – and prohibits the ability to apply directly to Phase II funding. Venture capital-backed firms are also ineligible to apply for funding. These provisions will be addressed in the upcoming solicitation re-release.
The application due dates are April 5, Aug. 5, and Dec. 5, 2013, while AIDS and AIDS-related applications are due May 7, Sept. 7, 2013, and Jan. 7, 2014. Detailed information, including program contacts, topic descriptions, and instructions for preparing proposals, are available in the solicitation, so please read it carefully to determine your company’s eligibility. For more information, review our online resources or join us at an SBIR Circle, held regularly in ATDC room 207 at Technology Square, 75 Fifth St NW. Please check the ATDC calendar for specific dates and times.