SBIR/STTR award winners exhibit many of the same attributes. Some of these attributes are the actual program requirements, while others are characteristics or capabilities. There are always exceptions; some firms initially thought not to be good candidates have come through with strong capabilities and resolve, resulting in winning proposals.This guide discusses some of the attributes of successful small businesses competing for SBIR/STTR funding.

MTIP’s Commercialization guide will focus on small, tech-based businesses engaging under the SBIR/STTR programs. However, this information is also applicable to any company innovating new product potential and conveys the most basic level of commercialization planning critical to technology development efforts.

Before you can expect others to invest time or money in your concept, it is critically important that you take steps to:

• protect and develop your concept or product
• educate yourself about the innovation process
• learn if your innovation is feasible to achieve sales in the proposed market

This guide, developed in partnership with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, provides introductory information and resources to learn more about protecting your intellectual property.

This guide will help small businesses learn the most basic level of government accounting information in which a company must be proficient if seeking federal grants or contracts. When submitting a research proposal to a federal agency, companies will also submit a cost proposal or cost volume that describes the proposed project budget and complies with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Small businesses must take responsibility for understanding the core elements of government accounting and the underlying statutory standards before submitting a proposal and accepting a grant or contract with a federal agency.

SBIR/STTR proposals can result in awards totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars are typically complex and demanding. This guide offers essential tips to organize your team and timelines to prepare well-crafted and compliant proposals.

One of the ways to stand out to reviewers is to make sure you clearly identify the headings and content requested in the solicitation. We have prepared simple templates that comply with agency formatting instructions and the required content so your team can ensure you’re relaying the salient details in the limited number of pages/slides allowed. We have also developed Technical Objectives and Tasks worksheets, checklists, and Phase I budget calculators that can help you crunch numbers that align well with your proposed technical work. Reach out to request access to a Google Drive folder or send a request to the MTIP Program Director and we’ll be happy to share the templates best suited for your agency and topic.