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Federal SBIR/STTR Funds

Technical Assistance Program ♦ SBIR/STTR Links ♦ SBIR/STTR Brochure

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs represent the largest source of early-stage, high-risk technology financing in the United States. Eleven federal agencies participate in this program to provide over $2 billion for early stage research and development projects leading to commercialization of resulting products or services. The programs are designed to benefit entrepreneurs and small businesses -- while increasing the competitiveness of the U.S. economy -- by funding the development of innovative products and services.

SBIR/STTR Three-Phase Program

Phase I
Determines feasibility. Agencies award grants up to $150,000 for a six month SBIR project and one-year STTR project that explores the technical merit of an idea or technology. Applicants must submit a 25-page proposal in response to a specific agency topic. The proposal must articulate objectives, significance of the innovation, scope of work, and applicant qualifications. 
Recommended Timeline for Phase I Proposal Writing Process

Phase II
Develops a Prototype. Agencies award grants up to $1,000,000 for a two-year project that builds on the results of Phase I. The project features research and development and an evaluation of commercialization potential. Only Phase I awardees are considered for Phase II for which applicants must submit up to 50-page proposal.
Recommended Timeline for Phase II Proposal Writing Process

Phase III
Transfers innovation from the workbench to the marketplace. No SBIR/STTR funds support this phase, so an entrepreneur must pursue capital from the private sector or funding from other non-SBIR/STTR federal programs.

MTI offers grants to help applicants submit competitive proposals grants in support of Phase I or Phase II activities.

Click here for SBIR/STTR Powerpoint Presentation


MTI Technical Assistance Program

The MTI has developed an SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to encourage entrepreneurs and small business to participate in the federal SBIR/STTR Program. Companies may receive pro-bono guidance and advice from the TAP team separate from, and in addition to the MTI SBIR/STTR funding programs.  For more information, read the full Technical Assistance Program description. 

For more information, contact Shane Beckim, Phase 0 / Pre-Phase II Specialist at 582-4790 x 210 or at sbeckim@mainetechnology.org.

Featured Success Story:

Floating fish farms are easier to tend when constructed in sheltered waters. But that means that coastal views are disrupted and waste can accumulate despite the motion of waves. So farmers install expensive feed monitoring equipment or tow the pens to new locations—thus burning fuel and increasing cost. In waters off Puerto Rico, researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology test a self-propelled spherical fish cage made by Ocean Farm Technologies ...