WHAT IS THE SBIR PROGRAM?
       
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program was created by the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 to assist small businesses in transforming innovative ideas into commercial products. Through the SBIR Program, awards are made to small business for research and development of cutting-edge technologies. The Program is intended to create commercial ventures that improve our environment and quality of life, create jobs, increase productivity and economic growth, and improve the international competitiveness of the U.S. technology industry.

SBIR has been described as the most important source of early-stage funding for small business technology development. Over the past decade, dozens of innovative technologies and processes have emerged from this Program.

Ten federal agencies participate in SBIR Programs, and the programs generally have three phases. Phase I is the feasibility study to determine the validity of the proposed concept or technology. Depending on the federal agency, up to $100, 000 in grants can be awarded to fund the feasibility study of an idea, concept, or technology. Phase II is the development of the technology or product that has been proven feasible in Phase I. And up to $750,000 in grants can be awarded to fund the development of the product or technology, depending on the particular federal agency.    Phase III is the commercialization of the product or technology.

    
       
      
[More Information About The Three Phases  (Description from DARPA}]
[More detailed description of the SBIR Program]
      
         
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