Upcoming SBIR/STTR Events

NIH SBIR SHIFT Webinar
Thursday, April 29, 2010 (12:00-1:00pm ET)

The primary objectives of the SHIFT SBIR initiative are: (1) to foster research that is translational in nature and (2) to transform academic scientific discoveries into commercial products and services.  Academic researchers can be a driving force for new products and services in a small business concern (SBC).

Presented By: Gregory Milman, Ph. D.
Director, Office for Innovation and Special Programs
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, DHHS

COST: Free, but registration required.

Click Here to register for the webinar (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/699525274)

SBIR/STTR  Intro Webinar
May 4th, noon to 1PM

Join this free, convenient on-line seminar to learn about:

• The $2.5 Billion in R&D funding available for innovative technologies via the Federal Government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.  
• Different levels of funding available
• Participating Federal agencies
• Who is eligible to win an award
• Subcontracting options
• Where to search for solicitations
• SBTDC’s SBIR services and sources of additional program information
• The North Carolina Matching funds

Registration is free, but required:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/198683113 

NIH SBIR/STTR Conference
June 2nd – 3rd
Raleigh Convention Center - Raleigh, NC

Some of the topics to be covered:

• SBIR/STTR Program Introduction
• SBIR/STTR Update – for those familiar with the program
• NIH review process – an in-depth look
• One-on-One meetings with NIH, CDC, and FDA staff
• Indirect Cost Rates & Audit Workshop
• Electronic Submission overview
• Business Planning Basics
• Strategies for Commercialization
• And more!

Registration and Information:  www.sbtdc.org/nihsbir2010/

Phase 1 and 2 SBIR Awards Increased

SBA Raises SBIR Award Threshold (3/30/10) - The SBA has published a Notice of Final Amendments to their Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Policy Directive. The Policy Directive provides the rules and guidance of the SBIR program to the agencies and participants. These new amendments are effective immediately and deal only with the SBIR award amounts thresholds.

SBA has raised the award threshold amounts for SBIR only (not STTR) from $100,000 to $150,000 for phase I, and $750,000 to $1,000,000 for phase II. This does not affect an agency's right to make awards of greater or lessor amounts. (Agencies are supposed to provide justification to SBA for awards in excess of the policy directive guidelines.)

Information reprinted from:  www.zyn.com/sbir

One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Matching Program

The One NC Small Business SBIR/STTR Matching Program, administered by the NC Board of Science and Technology, still has funds remaining in the current solicitation (FY 2010). 

Of the $700,000 appropriated to the FY 2010 solicitation, $325,984 remains to be awarded.  With matching awards currently capped at $50,000, the Board’s staff expects to be able to award at least six more matching grants.  To date, eight matching grants, with an average value of $47,000, have been awarded.

The FY 2010 solicitation period is July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010.  To be eligible, applicants must have received official notification of Phase I awards by a Federal SBIR/STTR agency during the solicitation Period, and the Board must receive applications for matching grants no later than 45 days from the date of notification of Phase I award by the federal SBIR/STTR agency.

Due to funding limitations under the FY 2010 solicitation, award decisions are made using a stochastic process in which each applicant has a 50 percent probability of receiving an Award.  For more information about the Matching Program, including application procedures and selection process, see: www.ncscitech.com/oncsbp/. 

Solicitation Activity for Coming Months

At least six agencies have or will have solicitations open over the next few months including DHS, EPA, NSF, DoD (SBIR), USDA and NIH.

Specific dates and links to each of the agencies are available at:  www.zyn.com/sbir/scomp.htm.

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

Health reform legislation signed by President Obama includes a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to help small businesses afford the cost of covering their workers.

Key Facts about the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

• The tax credit, which is effective immediately, can cover up to 35 percent of the premiums a small business pays to cover its workers.  In 2014, the rate will increase to 50 percent.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the tax credit will save small businesses $40 billion by 2019.
• Both small for-profit businesses and small not-for-profit organizations are eligible.

Key Elements

• Available Immediately.  The credit is effective January 1, 2010.  As a result, small businesses that provide health care for their workers will receive immediate help with their premium costs, and additional firms that initiate coverage this year will get a tax cut as well.
• Broad Eligibility.  The Council of Economic Advisors estimates that 4 million small businesses are eligible for the credit if they provide health care to their workers.  Qualifying firms must have less than the equivalent of 25 full-time workers (e.g., a firm with fewer than 50 half-time workers would be eligible), pay average annual wages below $50,000, and cover at least 50 percent of the cost of health care coverage for their workers.
• Substantial Benefit.  The credit is worth up to 35 percent of a small business’s premium costs in 2010.  On January 1, 2014, this rate increases to 50 percent.
• Firms Can Claim Credit for Up to 6 Years. Firms can claim the credit for 2010 through 2013 and for any two years after that.
• Non-Profits Eligible.  Tax-exempt organizations are eligible for a 25 percent tax credit in 2010.  In 2014, this rate increases to 35 percent.
• Gradual Phase-Outs.  The credit phases out gradually for firms with average wages between $25,000 and $50,000 and for firms with the equivalent of between 10 and 25 full-time workers. 
• Premium Cost Eligibility.  To avoid an incentive to choose a high-cost plan, an employer’s eligible contribution is limited to the average cost of health insurance in that state.