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12/17/2007

Education Seeks Small Business Research Projects
by Mildred Holley, Technology Programs Manager

The U.S. Department of Education (DoEd) released two FY 2008 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitations on December 5, 2007. The deadline to submit an application in response to the agency’s requests for technical research projects is 12 Noon EST on January 22, 2008. DoEd’s solicitations consist of a Phase I announcement and a Fast-Track (Phase I & II) request for proposals.

Phase I solicitation

The Phase I solicitation will fund successful applicants at amounts up to $100,000 for six-months of research work. The Phase I awards are expected to begin in June 2008. The three priority areas for the Phase I announcement relate to the development of technological products that directly or indirectly lead to improved student learning and academic achievement in a school or formal education setting. Research projects related to technological products may be intended for (1) students, (2) teachers or (3) school-level administrators.

Fast-Track (Phase I & II)

The Fast-Track solicitation requires submission of both a full Phase I proposal and a Fast-Track proposal in the same package. DoEd expects to announce Fast-Track awards by May 2008, with start-dates beginning in June. Awardees whose Phase I objectives are achieved will be allowed to move into Phase II beginning in January 2009. Phase I award limits are $100,000 and six months. Phase II awards will not exceed $750,000 and two years.

The DoEd has identified three priority areas associated with the development of technological products that directly or indirectly lead to improved student learning and academic achievement. Products must fall within one of three priority areas: technological products used by (1) students, (2) teachers or (3) school-level administrators.

Access the complete DoEd solicitations and application instructions at http://www.ed.gov/programs/sbir/applicant.html.

Arkansas entrepreneurs and researchers interested in learning more about this or other SBIR/STTR opportunities are invited to contact Mildred Holley at lcfine@ualr.edu, 501.683.7700 or 800.862.2040 (AR only).

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