NIH Hands-On Proposal Writing Workshop: February in Chapel Hill
Planning to submit an NIH Phase 1 SBIR or STTR Proposal for the April 5th deadline? Are you familiar with NIH’s new proposal format? If April 5th is your target submission date, then register for this 4 session course designed to prepare you to submit a competitive proposal in the new format.
The 4-session course will be held from 9:30 – noon on Feb. 2, 4, 9, 11 at the Chapel Hill office of the SBTDC.
The course will cover:
Session 1: Planning your Application and Electronic Submission
Session 2: Budget and Budget Justification
Session 3: Special emphasis on new NIH format for the Research Plan
Session 4: Abstract, Supporting Documents and Review Criteria
The course is limited to only the first 10 registrants, so as to keep the group small.
More information and registration information available at: www.ncfisherresearch.com/2010sbirworkshop.html
SBIR/STTR Introductory Webinar
After tremendous turnout for our SBIR Intro webinars in 2009, we will continue these 1-hour sessions this year. The next webinar will be held Wednesday, January 20th from 2-3PM.
Information to be covered:
- What are SBIR and STTR?
- Who is eligible?
- Subcontracting – is it allowable?
- The search for solicitations
- SBTDC Assistance
- NC Match Funds
Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/908497145
NC Green Business Fund Call for Proposals
The 2010 NC Green Business Fund solicitation (call for proposals) is now open. Deadline for submission of pre-proposals is January 19, 2010.
The 2010 solicitation is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and federal as well as state guidelines apply to awards made under this solicitation. Please download and read the 2010 solicitation (PDF file) carefully before submitting your pre-proposal.
FY 2010 Important Dates:
- Solicitation Period: December 18, 2009 – March 15, 2010
- Pre-proposals due: January 19, 2010
- Invitations to submit Full Project Proposals: January 29, 2010
- Project Proposal closing date: 11:59 p.m., March 15, 2010
Go to sciGrants to start a pre-proposal.
More information about the program is available at www.ncscitech.com/gbf.
NIH - Upcoming Submission Changes
Note from Kay Etzler of NIH
In June 2007, NIH extensively evaluated the current NIH peer review system that is used to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of the multitudes of grant applications that NIH receives. Stakeholders’ comments and suggestions have resulted in various changes. Some have already been implemented such as the new scoring system that provides individual scores for the five newly defined/updated review criteria. Other major changes are just around the corner and will be effective for applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2010. Although the research community has been kept abreast of these changes via notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, there appears to be some confusion as to how these changes affect the small business research community, so I’m writing to clarify and explain what to expect when submitting SBIR and STTR applications in 2010.
Restructured Research Plan
To better align the application with the review criteria, three sections of the Research Plan (Background and Significance, Preliminary Studies/Progress Report, and Research Design and Methods) have been consolidated into a new single section within the Research Plan entitled Research Strategy. The new Research Strategy section is subdivided into three parts: Significance, Innovation, and Approach. The Approach sub-section includes both Preliminary Studies for New Applications and Progress Reports for Renewal/Revision Applications.
New Page Limits
Along with this restructuring, new page limit requirements have been set. All SBIR and STTR applications are limited to a single page for the Specific Aims. Phase I applications are now limited to a maximum of 6 pages for the Research Strategy section. Phase II and Fast Track applications are limited to 12 pages for the Research Strategy section and 12 pages for the Commercialization Plan. Introductions for ALL resubmissions are now limited to one page. For easy reference, see the table below:
|
Introduction
(resubmissions only) |
Specific Aims |
Research Strategy |
Commercialization Plan |
Phase I |
1 page |
1 page |
6 pages |
n/a |
Phase II |
1 page |
1 page |
12 pages |
12 pages |
Fast Track |
1 page |
1 page |
12 pages |
12 pages |
Other Changes
- Resources: The Facilities and Other Resources section has been changed to require a description of how the scientific environment will contribute to the probability of success of the project and unique features of the environment.
- Biographical Sketch: A new Personal Statement has been incorporated as part A, changing the parts formerly called A, B, and C to Parts B, C, and D. Applicants should also limit the list of selected peer-reviewed publications to no more than 15.
Let me reiterate that these changes are effective for ALL applications submitted after January 25, 2010. Applications submitted using incorrect application forms (including applications that have an incorrect mix of old and new forms) will be delayed and may not be reviewed.
The SBIR and STTR parent funding opportunity announcements for 2010 (submission dates of April 5, August 5, and December 5) and the corresponding application submission instruction guide are scheduled to be released in early to mid-January. The instruction guide will include details on how to prepare applications based on the changes mentioned above.
To stay abreast of NIH Enhancing Peer Review activities, periodically review the Enhancing Peer Review website http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov/index.html and be sure you’re on the list serve for the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/listserv.htm).
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