SBIR Reauthorization
The congressional authorization process is one that can be quite frustrating – especially when funding to help you drive your company forward is tied up in the process.
The federal SBIR program has been a critical source of funding for our nation’s most innovative small and early stage technology companies since the mid-1980s. Eleven federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and Department of Energy award SBIR grants and contracts that help propel cutting edge technologies towards commercialization. The program, which has previously enjoyed multi-year congressional authorization, has been limping along on a series of continuing resolutions (CR) since late 2008. The current CR expires at the end of this month (July 2010).
I therefore find myself once again imploring entrepreneurs, small tech companies, and the technology-based economic development community to contact their representatives in both the house and senate to support the long term reauthorization of this key program.
For additional information on the SBIR program and specifically the issues surrounding reauthorization, take a look at the SBIR Gateway. The Gateway’s SBIR Insider Newsletter continues to cover the issues extensively, albeit not without bias. Regardless of where you fall on the individual issues, successful long-term reauthorization is critical. Please make sure your voice is heard.
Lisa M. Kurek, Managing Partner, BBC
Homework
As I draft this, the team here at BBC is experiencing the typical increase in activity that occurs in the 30 day window prior to a grant deadline. Frantic writing. Requests for immediate feedback. The scramble to identify people to round out the project team. For individuals and organizations writing grant proposals in response to federal solicitations, these are all examples of what happens as the time crunch descends. What can help make this last minute push easier? Having taken the time well before the proposal writing begins to understand the customer! Who is the customer? The agency you are targeting your proposal to.
Which brings me to two videos recently posted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that provide insight into what NIH is looking for and how applicants can better prepare their proposals to meet NIH’s expectations. As one reviewer in the video states: “Do you homework as to what NIH is looking for”.
Planning on applying to NIH? Take 15 minutes to watch. Planning on applying to any agency? Do your homework! These are just two examples of the myriad resources available to help grant applicants.
Lisa M. Kurek, Managing Partner, BBC
Timing
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. How many times have you heard that advice? Clearly I haven’t followed it if you take a look at my previous “Welcome to BBC’s Blog” post. That was in March. It is now July and I’ve yet to put up a new entry. Each time I’ve gone to draft my next blog I find myself procrastinating. Why? …I am not sure what to write… I don’t know what to say… There are many other excuses. Interestingly, these are some of the same excuses our clients use when we ask them why they waited until the last minute to draft their SBIR research plan or to contact their NIH program director. What one piece of advice do we give more than any other? Don’t wait until the last minute.
So, I’m plunging in and starting to blog. I hope to provide valuable information and pass on interesting links related to early stage technology companies and the challenges they face. Here is my first suggestion. Check out this story on a successful medical device company that has used a combination of very innovative science, smart and talented people, university collaboration, federal grants, and a little bit of help from some great consultants (full disclosure – that would be BBC). It doesn’t happen overnight. Timing might not be everything but it certainly makes a difference.
Lisa M. Kurek, Managing Partner, BBC
Welcome to BBC’s Blog
The BBC Team
On behalf of Michael, Andrea, Andy, Bhramara and Kris I’d like to welcome you to BBC’s Blog. We look forward to sharing information that technology- based entrepreneurs, early stage companies, and the organizations that support their growth find useful and engaging. From SBIR/STTR and other federal funding, to commercialization of technology, to business development and market research, we’ll try to keep you informed and up to date. Thanks very much. We look forward to blogging with you!
Lisa M. Kurek, Managing Partner, BBC
