NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep

NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep, Online Submission, and Commercialization Plan Workshop

NSF SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep

National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR Proposal Prep Workshop

February 23, Herndon, VA 

This one day seminar presents the nuts and bolts of crafting a SBIR/STTR proposal to the National Science Foundation. The session provides detailed instruction on proposal preparation, includes an overview of the submission process, and discusses the importance of a sound commercialization strategy as part of an NSF application. Core principles of preparing fundable SBIR/STTR proposals are stressed. Instruction provided by Lisa Kurek of BBC, Etc., a leading SBIR consultant!

NSF typically has four broad topic areas in their solicitation, funding projects in a wide array of topics.  A lot of opportunity exists in the NSF SBIR solicitation!   The most recently closed NSF SBIR solicitation included "Electronics, Information and Communications", "Education Applications", Biological & Chemical Technologies", and "Nanotech, Advanced Materials, & Manufacturing" topic areas.  Topics for the next NSF SBIR Solicitation will be posted in April, with the the topics opening in May and closing in June.  Be sure to be prepared by attending this detailed workshop.   

  

TOPICS COVERED:

• Strategic Planning - First, Do Your Homework
• SBIR/STTR program details
• Technological innovation and commercial merit - what this really means
• Strategies for targeting your proposal to meet Agency's mission and requirements
• How to do your intelligence work prior to writing the proposal
• Proposal Development -- Crafting a Fundable Proposal
• Planning tools for writing the proposal
• The SBIR/STTR review process - learn how to write the proposal to meet the reviewers' expectations
• Step-by-step process on how to write each section of a SBIR/STTR proposal
• Common problems and pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Preparing a Commercialization Plan - Good science is necessary but not sufficient. A strong commercialization strategy is a critical element in successful SBIR/STTR proposals.
• Proposal Submission - Detailed information you need to be prepared for a successful submission.
• Post-Award Administration - What to do once you learn you are going to be funded (and what to do next if you learn you are not)

COST:

Virginia Based Technology Firms:  $85

Non-Virginia Based Firms:  $150

Location:

Center for Innovative Technology

2214 Rock Hill Rd., Herndon, VA 20170

QUESTIONS:  Robert Brooke, robert.brooke@cit.org 703-689-3080

Time:             9:00AM - 5:00PM

REGISTER:     www.cit.org/events 

Advanced SBIR/STTR Conference

Virginia's 2012 Advanced SBIR/STTR Conference

March 14-15, Herndon, VA 

Key Topics Include:

• Development of Effective Phase II and Phase III Strategies
• Financing Options for Phase III
• Federal Project Management Tips
• Federal Cost Proposal Development Tips
• Commercialization Guidance

These special sessions will focus on ADVANCED CONCEPTS of the SBIR and STTR programs.  Attend all or part of this two day advanced training session.

AGENDA:

March 14, 2012 -- 9AM-5PM 

• Managing your Phase I for Maximum Gain - Planning for Phase II and Phase III, Presented by John Davis, SBIR Resource Center®  
• Learn how to improve the chances of being invited to submit an application/proposal for, and win, Phase II funding (strategy, applications and audit preparation)
• Learn how to use a Phase I (alone) to position your firm for large sole-source awards.
• Acquiring Phase III funds (strategy, marketing and venture capital acquisition).
• Learn how to wring the most value out of your past, current, and future Phase I SBIR/STTR projects.
• Strategic Planning, Strategic Alliances, and Customer Communications for SBIR Firms.
• DOD Rapid Innovation Fund & Technology Transition Insights, Presented by Christopher Rinaldi, DOD SBIR Program Administrator
• Strategic Customer Funding - keys to partnering with primes, Presented by Tizoc Loza, SBIR Program Manager, Northrop Grumman Corp.
• Keeping your Business on Track to Success, Presented by Dr. Lori Beer, Senior Principal, Senior Management Associates
• Congressional Funding Climate & Accessing Other Federal Funding, Presented by Liz Powell, G2G Consulting
• Debt & Equity Financing, Presented by Frank Barros, SBIR Program Analyst, Dept. of Homeland Security
• Seed Stage & Venture Financing, Presented by Tom Weithman, Managing Director, CIT GAP Funds
• Business Models & Commercialization Strategies -- Are you On the Right Track?  Presented by Cynthia Gilmer, new product development expert



March 15, 2012, 9AM-5PM

Federal Cost Proposal Development Session (Morning) Presented by John Davis, SBIR Resource Center® 

• The development of accurate and justified cost proposal for federal R&D proposals like Phase II SBIR/STTR is a task often overlooked by grant writers.  But a good cost proposal can provide an effective tool to assist in the implementation of the project.  This session will cover:
• Understanding Contracts vs. Grants
• Federal cost-estimating requirements
• Reliable cost-estimating techniques (required by some agencies, valuable at all)
• How to handle & develop Price/Budget Proposal sections
• How to develop those troublesome indirect cost estimates
• Relevant, related issues beyond strict cost proposal issues including: the various role(s) of the budget; documents in winning awards; accounting system requirements for federal work; contract negotiations, project / company audits, etc.

Project Management for Technical Projects (Afternoon) Presented by John Davis, SBIR Resource Center® 

• "Projects" are defined as "discrete work packages with set goals, specific periods of performance and limited budgets".  Often these occur as a result of a special need that does not fit neatly into an organization's mainline structure, or as the result of receiving a contract from an outside funding source, or other reasons.  Whatever the genesis of the project, the need for proper planning, cost estimating and control are universal.  In this seminar one will learn how to plan, set up and manage for cost, schedule and technical performance using locally-controllable (by the project manager) tools to establish a successful project culture.  

COST:

Both Days:  $95

Day 1 Only:  $75

Day 2 Only:  $75

COST:

Virginia Based Technology Firms:  $85

Non-Virginia Based Firms:  $150

Location:

Center for Innovative Technology

2214 Rock Hill Rd., Herndon, VA 20170

QUESTIONS:  Robert Brooke, robert.brooke@cit.org 703-689-3080

Time:             9:00AM - 5:00PM

REGISTER:     www.cit.org/events 

CIT Supports Virginia's SBIR/STTR Community:

CIT provides valuable assistance to Virginia companies submitting Phase I and Phase II SBIR/STTR proposals, including:

• SBIR strategy consultation
• Low cost Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III proposal training and review courses
• Discounts with proposal consultants (proposal prep & proposal review)
• Discounts on proposal preparation software
• Referral to law firm for free IP and patent consultation
• VC/Angel Capital "Readiness" review
• Discounts and referrals for federal cost accounting solutions and CPA services
• Funding assistance for select companies seeking their first Phase I and/or Phase II award (to help pay for some of the above services) -- pending application approval and availability of funds.

MORE INFO 

Contact:  Robert Brooke of CIT at 703-689-3080, robert.brooke@cit.org  

Robert Brooke

Director, Federal Funding Programs
Center for Innovative Technology

2214 Rock Hill Rd., #600

Herndon, VA 20170

703-689-3080

www.cit.org