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.

The SBIR program was established by Congress in 1982 to fund research and development (R&D) by U.S. owned and operated businesses of less than 500 employees.  SBIR, the nation’s largest source of early-stage technology financing, is administered by the Small Business Administration through 11 federal agencies and is funded at more than $2 billion annually.

The STTR program enacted by Congress in 1992, similar in structure to SBIR, provides early-stage R&D funding directly to small companies working cooperatively with researchers at universities and other research institutions.

MTI offers a robust assistance program to companies interested in developing a strong competitive proposal to the NSF or other federal agencies that participate in the SBIR/STTR program. Opportunities include a $5,000 Phase 0 KickStarter grant and a Technical Assistance Program to guide you through the development process. For more information, please visit MTI’s funding page and/or contact Karen West at [email protected] or at 207-845-2934.

Click here for SBIR/STTR Powerpoint Presentation

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. For qualifications for funding, انقر هنا.

SBIR/STTR Three-Phase Program

Phase I

Determines feasibility. Agencies award grants up to $225,000 for a six to twelve 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 KickStarter grants to help applicants submit competitive proposals grants in support of Phase I or Phase II activities.