The federal government sponsors two programs that can mean big money for small businesses. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program funds small-business research and development that has commercial potential, while the Small Business Technology Transfer program funds technological innovations developed in partnership with research institutions. Several big federal agencies participate in the programs, including EPA, NASA, Commerce, Defense and Homeland Security.
But the grants are competitive and businesses need to successfully maneuver through a rigorous review process to qualify for the funding. That's why CincyTech USA and other small business development groups in the region are sponsoring a two-day workshop on grant writing for entrepreneurs. The intensive workshop covers all aspects of preparing a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal, from strategic planning, to proposal writing, to submission to post-submission follow-up. The federal programs "provide a mechanism for small businesses to participate in federal research and development opportunities and to compete with larger businesses for federal R&D funds - something that would normally be hard for a small business to do," says Dorothy H. Air, VP of operations at CincyTech.
The April 16 and 17 workshop is co-sponsored by the Hamilton County Business Center, The Circuit and Bio/Start, three small-business development groups. To register, call 513-558-7339 or e-mail [email protected].
Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Dorothy Air, CincyTech USA
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