9/5/2006
NSF Seeks Small Business Research Proposals
by Mildred Holley, Technology Programs Manager
Today’s Tech Track E-News focuses on the opportunities open to Arkansas entrepreneurs to do research and development for the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF has issued its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs Phase I Solicitation FY-2007, inviting research proposals from qualified small businesses. NSF expects to award $16.25 million to successful competitors in this solicitation. NSF projects it will make about 125 SBIR Phase I awards and approximately 25 STTR Phase I awards. Recipients of SBIR awards will have 6 months and up to $100,000 to complete their projects. STTR awardees will have 12 months and up to $150,000 to finish their research efforts. NSF begins accepting electronic submission of proposals on November 4; the deadline is December 4, 2006 (by 5 p.m. proposer’s local time). All Phase I awards will have an effective date of July 1, 2007.
The NSF SBIR/STTR program increases the incentive and opportunity for small firms to engage in cutting-edge, high-quality scientific and engineering research that is believed to have a high potential economic payoff if the research is successful. Small businesses conducting SBIR/STTR research should be able to identify potential business opportunities if the proposed innovation proves effective. Successful NSF Phase I projects may seek up to $500,000 and two years’ project time to continue research and development work.
This NSF solicitation has four broadly described topics, with subtopics identified under each. The following description provides a detailed overview. However, we encourage readers to review complete descriptions of the opportunities available by following the link below to read the entire solicitation instructions and topic descriptions. It is very important to read the complete topic descriptions because NSF offers brief explanations of each subtopic and identifies agency staff that may be contacted for additional information or questions.
1. Biotechnology – innovative new biological products, devices, processes and technologies. Note: Drug development is not acceptable, although development of compound libraries and other sources of molecules used for identification of drug leads would be acceptable.
A. Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
B. Biochips
C. Combinatorial Chemistry and Biology
D. Metabolic Engineering
E. Ecological Engineering, Bioremediation and Environmental Impact Mitigation
F. Biomass Processing
G. Industrial Use of Bio-Products
H. Agricultural and Food Biotechnology
I. Aquaculture and Aquatic Biotechnology
J. Bioprocess Enhancement
K. Sensors and Diagnostic Instrumentation
L. Imaging Technologies
M. Biomaterials Development
N. Tissue Engineering
O. Advanced Prosthetics and Assistive Devices
P. Aid to Persons with Disabilities
Q. Drug Delivery
R. Manufacturing Innovation
2. Electronics – wireless, photonic, micro-electronic and nano-electronic technologies.
A. Sensors
B. Wireless Technologies
C. Integrated Circuit Design
D. Innovative Uses of Light
E. Innovations in MEMS and NEMS Devices and Systems
F. Energy and Power Management
G. Geosciences Instrumentation
H. Astronomical Instrumentation
I. Robotics
J. Semiconductor and Other Materials
K. Nanoelectronics, Nanophotonics and Nanomagnetics
L. Organic Electronics
M. Semiconductor Manufacturing
N. Nano-electronics Manufacturing
O. Micro-electronics Packaging & Systems Integration
3. Emerging Opportunity – near-term business opportunities enabled by recent advancements in science and engineering. The focus on near-term commercialization means that this topic is open only for innovations in the following areas that are believed to be able to enter the market within a three-year time frame.
A. Bioproducts
B. Hardware
C. Materials and Manufacturing
D. Software
4. Information Technology – products, services or processes that have the potential for a large payoff to industry, business or society.
A. Organizations and Processes
B. Human Computer Interaction
C. Applications
D. Platforms
E. Infrastructure
F. Education Applications
The complete solicitation, including descriptions of the topics and subtopics, can be accessed at www.nsf.gov/eng/sbir. Arkansas entrepreneurs and researchers interested in learning more about this or other SBIR/STTR opportunities are encouraged to contact Mildred Holley at lcfine@ualr.edu, 501.324.9043 or 800.862.2040 (AR only).
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