Proposals for DoD STTR are due March 19. Proposals must be prepared and submitted electronically through the DoD SBIR/STTR electronic submission website, http://www.dodsbir.net/submission/ . The help desk can be reached from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 pm ET at 866-724-7457

Partnership opportunity

Business/University Research Partnership Opportunity

Nebraska businesses can partner with University faculty and receive up to $25,000 cost-share through the Nebraska EPSCoR program. For a project valued at up to $50,000, the EPSCoR money essentially pays half the cost, with the business paying the other half. Any science or technology-based research or development project deemed important to the economic growth of the company is eligible. The project period is up to 12 months. At least one grant proposal must be submitted to a federal agency during the project. This can include an SBIR/STTR proposal. A final report is also required. Co-principal investigators, one faculty and one company person, are required to submit the request for this Nebraska EPSCoR grant. Faculty at any Nebraska research university are eligible to participate. For more information see http://epscor.unl.edu/programs/rd.shtml

SBIR/STTR National Spring Conference

SBIR/STTR National Spring Conference May 27-30, Orlando, Florida

National SBIR conferences provide an opportunity to hear specifics about every federal agency's SBIR program, typically from their program managers. There are also grant-writing workshops and other valuable presentations. These conferences also provide an opportunity to network with prime contractors who may be interested in your products.
For more information please visit http://www.gabio.org/content.aspx?pageid=47

Solicitation Calendar

Open Solicitations:

Release Date	Accepts Proposals	Closing Date	Agency
Jan 22, 2008	Feb 19, 2008	March 19, 2008	DoD STTR 2008
		April 5, 2008	Non AIDS related topics for NIH SBIR/STTR grants
	Jan 1, 2008	Apr 15, 2008	NSF Supplemental Opportunity for SBIR/STTR Memberships in I/UCRCs
		May 7, 2008	AIDS related topics for NIH SBIR/STTR grants

Future Solicitations:

Release Date	Accepts Proposals	Closing Date	Agency
Mar 20, 2008	Mar 20, 2008	May 21, 2008	EPA
	Apr 15, 2008	May 1, 2008	DoT
Feb 27, 2008	May 10, 2008	June 15, 2008	NSF
April 21, 2008	May 19, 2008	June 18, 2008	DoD SBIR 08.2

Source: http://www.sbir.gov

DOT Solicitation Announcement

The opening date of the Department of Transportation (DoT) SBIR 08 solicitation has been changed from February 15, to April 15, 2008.

DOT 2008 solicitation and any related documents will be available on the DOT SBIR website http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir

Writing Basics

SBIR Proposal Writing Basics: Who's on First, and How's in Your Work Plan

Gail & Jim Greenwood, Greenwood Consulting Group, Inc.

As we review Phase 1 and 2 SBIR/STTR proposals, we continue to see work plans (aka research plans) that lack the detail and depth that is needed to convince a reviewer that the proposer knows how to conduct the research. This can be a deadly mistake, especially for newcomers to SBIR/STTR who have not created a reputation with the agency based on prior work. Therefore, this month we will address this important part of your proposal.

A common problem in a sketchy work plan is the lack of specifics about HOW each task will be accomplished. Most proposers include WHAT is being done, but don't talk much about HOW. Let us use a simple example of what we're talking about.