When trying to start a small business, many people first take a look at what resources are needed to help determine whether or not they have enough money to start it. Although many small businesses require a minimal amount of money to start, ones related to science and technological innovation need much more.
 |
Enter The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. So you've never heard of it? Don't worry, most people are unaware that such a program exists.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is for smaller businesses that wish to take part in research and development for science and technology innovations.
One of the caveats is that the project must hold the potential for commercialization, along with fulfilling research and development needs required by the U.S. Government. The other requirements for SBIR are as follows:
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.
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.
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.
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:
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Already a member? Log In
BackAlready registered? Log in here for access
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Back To Course
Introduction to Management: Help and Review21 chapters | 312 lessons | 2 flashcard sets
{{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? 's' : ''}}