SBIR/STTR Training

BBCetc offers training on a variety of topics relevant to technology companies and entrepreneurs. Some programs are presented specifically for individual clients and/or partner organizations, while others are open to the community. We recognize that researchers’ schedules can be harried, so we have worked hard to develop the following flexible ways to deliver training.

Live Training

Onsite Training – One-to-two-day workshops providing in-depth content tailored to client expectations and audience needs. Extensive tools for later use are provided. We also offer short programs that cover specific topics and are ideal for Lunch & Learn events, breakout sessions and more.
Virtual Training – Interactive, half-to-full day, online sessions with on-camera speaker(s). Timely breaks, activities and regular interaction with participants increase engagement and involvement. Multiple speakers can be featured when area expertise is useful. Virtual training also includes short programs (see above). Learn more

On-Demand Training

Webinar Library – Single-topic programs lasting approximately 30 minutes that introduce, complement or enhance BBCetc’s onsite and virtual classroom courses.
Custom Content – On-demand programs developed with content customized for your specific needs.

The following list of classes are representative of BBCetc’s training options in each category. They can also be combined with one-on-one consultations or open office hours. For further information, contact Jodi Bergman at jodi@bbcetc.com / 734-930-9741.

Onsite and Virtual Classroom Training

SBIR/STTR 101: Introduction and Overview

The government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs make over $2.6 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital available to innovative small companies annually. In this half-day class, attendees learn SBIR/STTR program basics, including program purpose, eligibility, sources of funding and tools for proposal development. The class provides enough information for attendees to determine if they would like to seriously pursue a grant or contract proposal. 3 hrs.

Commercialization Planning for SBIR-Stage Companies

BBCetc’s philosophy is that going through the process of commercialization planning can actually be more instructive than the plan itself. Find out why, and then learn how to travel successfully down the product-to-market pathway. Includes tips on developing a credible commercialization plan, using market research to direct your efforts, how to build a business model and commercialization planning differences across agencies. 3 hrs.

SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation for NIH

This class presents critical information for developing a competitive proposal for National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR program. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, it covers registrations necessary for submission, strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations, how to approach each section of the proposal, tips on navigation the submission process, commercialization planning and more. 1-2 days

Getting Ready for Your Phase II NIH SBIR/STTR Proposal

You’ve made it through the first hurdle – getting your Phase I funded. You’ve achieved your aims and demonstrated feasibility. You’re ready to write and submit your Phase II proposal — or are you? In this session, key considerations for a Phase II proposal are explored with specific emphasis on commercialization. It provides the framework for a strong commercialization plan as well as key activities you can initiate while still working on your Phase I project, and reviews the overall attributes of a strong, well-crafted proposal. 6 hrs.

SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation - NSF/DOD/DOE/USDA

This seminar presents essential information for crafting a competitive proposal to meet the mission, standards and requirements of the topic agency’s SBIR/STTR program. It includes information and advice on getting registered so you can submit, preparing the components of your proposal for maximum impact, how to approach commercialization planning, navigating the submission process, and more. 6 hrs.

You've Won Your Award. Now What?

Whether you are anticipating an award or have already been funded, understanding the fundamentals necessary to manage your government dollars is key to organizing your business for success and proving your credibility for future funding. This half-day program provides training, tips and guidance on preparing a budget, what you should know about government audits, strategies for indirect rate development, using QuickBooks to stay in compliance and setting up policies and procedures for success. 3 hrs.

Short Programs

SBIR/STTR Eligibility and Selecting the Right Agency

If you are considering pursuing SBIR or STTR funding, the first step is to learn what it takes to be eligible and then determine which of the 11 participating agencies is the best fit for your technology. This session will give you basic information to determine if this is a path you would like to seriously pursue.

Agency Differences & Similarities

If you are interested in submitting an SBIR or STTR proposal, you should know that the process is uniquely interpreted by each of the 11 participating federal agencies. Choosing the appropriate agency or agencies to target with your proposal is a critical element in funding success. This session highlights some of the most important differences between agencies, where to gather additional relevant information, and how to integrate it into your decision making.

Writing a Commercialization Plan

To be eligible for SBIR/STTR funding your state-of-the-art of technology must have commercial potential. Applicants must know their market size, characteristics, customers and competitors and how their innovation will address an unmet market need. This session deals with how to approach these topics and what information you’ll need to determine the financial projections and impact of your product.

SBIR/STTR for Start Ups: Building a Quality Team

Start-ups often have difficulty putting their teams together for SBIR and STTR submissions. This session covers how to use sub-contractors to fill out your team, how to discuss the current and future build out of your management team, and how to use Advisory Boards and Technical Advisers to strengthen your company and your SBIR/STTR proposals.

How to Prepare a Budget for Your SBIR/STTR Proposal

A proper budget can be an effective tool in driving your project from start to finish. This session covers important considerations in budget development, including what costs need to be included, how to write a budget justification, what indirect rate should be used and more.

What You Need to Know About Government Audits

Technology firms that receive grants or contracts are often unprepared to deal with a government audit. When is an audit required? How do you prepare? Who performs an audit? This session answers those and other questions that arise. Also covered are types of audits, company financial policies and procedures, contracts and agreements, equipment logs; required reporting, audit alerts, etc.

QuickBooks and Compliance for SBIR/STTR Recipients

This program discusses how to manage your SBIR/STTR grant or contract to improve your odds of moving from Phase I to Phase II, and Phase II to Phase III (transition and/or commercialization). We review the various sources for managing funds from DoD, NIH, NSF, or DoE, as well as reporting requirements and close-out procedures.

NIH RO1 and SBIR/STTR: Not all NIH Grants are Created Equal!

You’ve had experience with NIH research grants – RO1s, R21s, RO3s. You are ready to transition to SBIR/STTR proposals. Piece of cake, right? Not so fast! The two mechanisms are definitely NOT the same. The participation qualifications are different. The review criteria are different. And the ultimate goal of the R&D is different. This program highlights where you’ll need to think, plan and write differently to be successful with the SBIR/STTR program — and why you’ll need more SBIR/STTR training to be competitive with your proposal. Plenty of time for questions after the presentation.

University Participation in SBIR/STTR: From Pre-submission to Post-award

Universities are often directly or indirectly involved in the development and execution of SBIR/STTR-funded projects, so it is important that university administrators understand SBIR/STTR requirements and that the small business understands the university’s policies. This session covers issues that need to be addressed both as the proposal is being developed and after it is awarded looking specifically from the university’s perspective. We explore budgets, participation by researchers, conflict of interest and post-award reporting requirements, and present updated information on SBIR/STTR policies since the 2012 reauthorization.

Think Your Company is Too Big for SBIR Funding? Think Again.

If your company is involved in doing things like high-risk/high-reward projects that don’t meet the criteria for internal funding, development of a new technology that is in-licensed and/or evolving a new product idea jointly with another company, you may be able to use the SBIR/STTR programs to supplement your internal R&D budget or to partially fund diversification into new business areas. Learn how your innovation and commercialization experience can give you an edge over companies that are still developing their first product or service.

Top 10 Dos and Don’ts for Your Phase I NIH Proposal

Imagine what you might learn if you could see hundreds of proposals before submission and summary statements post-review. That’s exactly what the BBCetc has done over the past almost 20 years. In this entertaining session we explore both the obvious and the subtle ways you can strengthen your proposal or quickly squelch reviewers enthusiasm through lessons learned.

Top 10 Brilliant Ideas and Stupid Mistakes: Secrets of Phase II NIH Proposal Success

More money, more time, and more work equates to more proposal in Phase II! It also equals more opportunities to either impress the reviewers or propagate the same mistakes that they see all too often. In this session, we discuss tangible recommendations to integrate into your proposal or make sure don’t see the light of the reviewer’s day.

How to Assess Your Clients for SBIR/STTR Funding

Get updated on program requirements and learn what questions you should ask to assess your clients’ SBIR/STTR appropriateness so you can guide them forward.

Formatting and Readability Tips for SBIR/STTR Proposals

A good SBIR/STTR proposal is made infinitely better by writing and formatting that enhances readability by reviewers and showcases your technology to its best advantage. Improve the competitiveness of your proposal with tips and best practices for making it look good and read well.

Commercialization Planning for SBIR-Stage Companies

With commercialization and transition plans being a key differentiator in the SBIR/STTR programs, it is important to know what the agencies are looking for and how to go about developing good plans. This session will discuss the expectations that various agencies have for commercialization plans in your Phase I and Phase II projects, where to find cost effective market research resources, what quality “support & commitment letters” are, and more.

SBIR/STTR Granting vs. Contracting Agencies: Determining the Best Fit for Your Technology

An SBIR/STTR grant provides funding assistance for company-defined R&D projects that, when successful, will lead to commercial opportunities that have been identified by the proposing company. In contrast, a contract is a well-defined procurement mechanism in which the funding agency specifies obligations, responsibilities and deliverables for R&D projects that are expected to result in products or services that address a problem or opportunity at that agency. Determining if your technology is best suited for a granting (i.e., NIH, NSF, DOE) or a contracting (i.e. DOD, NASA, DHS) agency will dictate many aspects of proposal preparation, from your initial planning and interactions with agency personnel to nitty-gritty details. This session will describe the differences between granting and contracting agencies, how to determine the best fit for your technology and how to tailor your proposal for each.

Webinars

General SBIR STTR Information

ABC’s of the SBIR/STTR: Program Goals, Eligibility: Is it for You?
ABC’s of the SBIR/STTR: Selecting the Right Agency
SBIR/STTR for Post-Docs and Grad Students
University Participation in SBIR/STTR: From Pre-Submission to Post-Award
SBIR/STTR Registrations: Getting Ready to Submit Your Proposal
Formatting and Readability Tips for SBIR/STTR Proposals
Reading the Solicitation and Using it to Write Your Proposal

National Institutes of Health

Program Specifics and Strategic Planning
Proposal Preparation Basics
Developing the Budget
How to Use ASSIST to Submit Your Proposal
Preparing to Receive NIH SBIR/STTR Funding: How Do I Get the Money?

Department of Defense

Overview of program and components
Working with DoD and Speaking Their Language
Tips on SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation
Commercialization Planning
How to Prepare a Budget for Your DoD SBIR/STTR Proposal

National Science Foundation

Overview of program
Program Details and Planning the Project
Proposal Preparation Essentials
Forms, Budgets & Electronic Submission

Department of Energy

Program Overview
Proposal Preparation Essentials

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Agency and Proposal Prep Overview

Grants and Contracts Management

Preparing a Budget for Your SBIR/STTR Proposal
What You Need to Know About Gov’t Audits
Practical Strategies for Indirect Rate Development
QuickBooks & Compliance for SBIR/STTR Awardees
Policies & Procedures for SBIR/STTR Awardees

Commercialization Planning

Essentials of SBIR/STTR Commercialization Planning
Commercialization Strategy