SBIR History and Purpose
The SBIR program was set up under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, and was initially reauthorized until September 30, 2000. Currently SBIR has been granted an extension up until the year 2017 and approved through Congress.
The initial purpose of The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 was to help those small businesses focused on science and technology by providing federal funds for research and development.
Due to the nature of its industry, science and technology innovation field is very costly. During the early stages of a project, many investors and capital firms are skeptical to provide funding because they are unsure if the project will be successful, thus putting their funds at risk.
The SBIR provides this funding at an early stage of the innovation process, making it easier to get off the ground and to complete a thorough research and development process. This encourages people who are aren't socially or economically advantaged to participate in the future of US innovation.
The contributions provided by SBIR have improved the nation's defense and enhanced our capabilities of managing data and information.
SBIR Phases
Grants and contracts are two of the primary resources used for the SBIR. The SBIR program is very competitive and awards grants in three phases.
Phase one is designed to measure the potential of the proposed research and development efforts to determine whether or not the project should be funded. Awards in phase one do not typically exceed $150,000 in costs over a six-month span.
The goal of Phase II is to proceed with the research and development endeavors started in Phase I. Subsidizing depends on the outcomes accomplished in Phase I and the logical and specialized legitimacy and business capability of the undertaking proposed in Phase II. Only Phase I awardees are qualified for a Phase II grant. SBIR Phase II grants ordinarily don't surpass $1,000,000 for two years total.
The goal of Phase III is to seek commercialization destinations for small businesses coming about because of the Phase I and II research and development. The SBIR program does not monetarily support Phase III.
SBIR Uses
Many companies have benefited from SBIR. One such company, Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC), developed a technology to allow the growth of plants and vegetables in zero gravity space, used on the International Space Station today! They may never have succeeded without NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Another company to use SBIR is Ecovative Design, who developed 'Mushroom Insulation' - replacing fossil fuel derived plastics with mushrooms to use in the insulation of houses. They now use this product, called Myco Foam, as alternative to styrofoam packing materials. After their award during Phase II, they acquired a Fortune 500 customer, Steelcase.
Lesson Summary
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is for residential smaller businesses that wish to take part in research and development for science and technology innovations. Initially established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, the purpose of SBIR is to provide funding to help these types of projects off the ground. The business project is required to be American-owned, for-profit, with less than 500 employees, where the primary researcher is employed by the business.
The research options for grants falls into three phases:
- Phase I measures the potential of the project. Awards do not exceed $150,000 over a six-month span.
- Phase II proceeds with the findings of Phase I. Grants in this phase do not exceed $1,000,000 for two years total.
- Phase III seeks commercialization destinations.
