Helpful Information
Demonstrated by my success in securing non-dilutive funding, I help prepare, review and submit grant applications to various funding agencies and assist with post-submission requirements.
Helpful Information
Part 1: Steps to secure non-dilutive funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Incorporate your startup as Limited Liability Company (LLC); Limited Liability Partnership (LLP); S-Corporation or C-Corporation
- Obtain EIN (Employer Identification Number) or TIN (Tax Identification Number) from Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Register with System for Award Management (SAM) – Mandatory to do business with the U.S. Federal Government
- Register with electronic grants Research Administration Process eRA Commons – Required to conduct business with National Institutes of Health (NIH) and some Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies
- Register and setup accounts with Grants.gov – Required to submit grant applications through the federal-wide grant portal
- Register your company or entity with Small Business Administration (SBA) – Required to participate in SBIR and STTR federal funding programs
Part 2: Understanding the basics of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
SBIR and STTR programs are non-dilutive funding to support:
- Test and validate a hypothesis and/or establish proof of concept
- Develop the technology towards commercialization
- Commercialization – Taking the product to the market
Similarity and differences between SBIR and STTR:
Though the overall goal and objectives of SBIR and STTR are same, there are few key differences.
For a SBIR program, partnerships and collaborations with non-profits (Universities and Research Institutes) are allowed (not mandatory). Whereas, in a STTR program, partnership and collaborations with non-profits is always required.
| Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) | Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of annual Federal R&D budget | 3.2% | 0.45% |
| Number of participating federal agencies | Eleven (SBA, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Defense, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Energy, Dept. of Human and Health Services, Dept. of Homeland Security, Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Science Foundation) | Five (Dept. of Defense, Dept. of Energy, the Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Science Foundation) |
| Partnerships and collaborations | Research partnerships and collaborations with universities and non-profit research institutes are allowed (not mandatory) | Research partnerships and collaborations with universities and non-profit research institutes is required |
| Work requirement | Small businesses may outsource: 1. 33% of Phase I research 2. 50% of Phase II research | Minimum work requirements: 1. 40% by small business 2. 30% by research institution partner The remaining work may be done by either or outsourced |
| Principal Investigator (PI) | Primary employment (> 50%) should be with the small business | PI must be employed by either the partnering research institution or small business |
| Intellectual allocation agreement required | No | Yes |
| Applicant | Small Business | Small Business |
Additional information available at:
- Understanding SBIR and STTR
- About SBIR and STTR
- Tutorial 1 Program Basics
- SBIR or STTR? Which one is right for me (Not the latest version, but helpful)
Next NIH SBIR and STTR non-HIV related proposal submission date is January 5th, 2025 and for AIDS and AIDS related proposal is due on January 7th, 2025.
Considering applying for SBIR or STTR non-dilutive funding and need help, advise or assistance, please contact or email sprasad@nnavata.com
