SBIR/STTR Support

The Corridor helps Florida’s small businesses tap into Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) awards, the nation’s largest source of early-stage startup funding for research and development. Each year, 11 participating federal agencies distribute SBIR/STTR awards totaling $4 billion to finance cutting-edge, high-risk technologies.

SBIR/STTR awards are helpful for:

Developing a proof of concept or prototype
Hiring technical staff or subject-matter experts
Purchasing essential materials and equipment
Validating potential as a government vendor
Funding university research partnerships

Unlike traditional venture capital, SBIR/STTR funds are non-dilutive, so participants retain full company ownership, including the rights to intellectual property. Additionally, companies that are successful in securing SBIR/STTR awards and are engaged in research partnerships with UCF or USF may be eligible for matching funds from The Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program.

FL FAST: Florida’s First Centralized SBIR/STTR Support System for Entrepreneurs

Powered by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, The Corridor’s “FL FAST” initiative is Florida’s first centralized support system for companies pursuing SBIR/STTR awards.

FL FAST serves small businesses statewide with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged small businesses pursuing research and innovation activities in The Corridor’s 23-county region and beyond.

Services include in-person and virtual workshops and one-on-one assistance to meet business needs in key areas, such as topical award identification, budget preparation, proposal review, support letters, and research partnerships.

FL FAST also serves as an important resource for entrepreneurial support organizations, sharing resources, events, solicitations, legislative actions, and other information relevant to driving SBIR/STTR outcomes.

FL FAST SBIR/STTR Training Events

Register for upcoming SBIR/STTR training aimed at improving the knowledge and capabilities of Florida entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders alike.

The Virtual Training Series

Open to Any Entrepreneur or Ecosystem Builder in Florida | Registration for new training events will be posted soon!

All sessions are recorded and made available on demand. To access these recordings, you can complete the “SBIR/STTR Support” interest form embedded below.

CLICK HERE to Register for any of our upcoming sessions.

January 29, 2025

SBIR/STTR: ABCs
We’ll review the SBIR/STTR program eligibility requirements, the difference between SBIR and STTR, the company registrations required, the federal agencies that participate, and how to determine which agency is right for you.

February 5, 2025

Grantsmanship, Formatting and Readability for SBIR/STTR
A good SBIR/STTR proposal is made infinitely better by writing and formatting that enhances readability by reviewers and showcases your technology to its best advantage. Improve the competitiveness of your proposal with tips and best practices for making it look good and read well.

February 12, 2025

Building a Quality SBIR Team
Find out how to choose the right Project Investigator for your SBIR proposal, and how to use sub-contractors, Advisory Boards and Technical Advisers to strengthen your company and proposals.

March 11, 2025

How to Assess Clients for SBIR/STTR (For Economic Support Organizations)
In addition to providing an update on the SBIR/STTR programs and eligibility requirements, this session will walk you through specific questions to ask when screening your clients for this compelling source of non-dilutive funding. You’ll also learn about other federal funding mechanisms, like PFI, ARPA-H, CDMRP, and BARDA. Learn about how they differ from the SBIR program, the eligibility requirements, and how BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting can assist.
Attendees will receive a free assessment tool to evaluate potential SBIR clients.

March 26, 2025

Dept. of Defense SBIR Program Overview
Get an overview of the various DOD components and how their programs differ and learn how to find the right solicitation for your technology, as well as how to influence future topics and tips for a successful proposal.

You’ll Learn:

Which components participate in the SBIR/STTR programs
How the components differ
How to find open BAA’s and deadlines
Tips to be competitive and more!

April 15, 16 & 17,
2025

NSF Proposal Development Series
This virtual SBIR workshop provides an overview of the NSF SBIR/STTR program and proposal requirements. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, we’ll take a deep dive into the NSF program specifics, so you’re equipped for a successful proposal.

You’ll learn:

NSF’s program goals and eligibility
How to navigate the NSF website and use web tools (Research.gov)
The importance of Program Managers
Application components and proposal scoring
How to avoid common pitfalls and more!

Agenda
April 15: SBIR/STTR ABC’s and Overview of NSF program
Reviewing registrations necessary for submission, strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations, how to approach each section of the proposal, and more.
April 16: Project Description Elements
Review the key elements of an NSF proposal. Discuss how to present your Technical Objectives for reviewers to understand your research plan to prove feasibility. Learn about the importance of the commercial plan and how to prepare a compelling commercial plan.
April 17: Other Key Elements of Phase I
Budget, bio sketches, facilities, collaborators, and tips on navigating the submission process.

May 7, 2025

Developing your SBIR/STTR Budget
Developing a proper budget for a grant or contract proposal should not be overlooked. A proper budget can be an effective tool in driving the project from start to finish. Be sure not to leave money on the table. This session will walk through the development of a project budget and justification that the company can afford to pursue this project.

You’ll learn:

What costs need to be included
How to write a budget
What indirect rate should be used and more!

June 3-5, 2025

NIH Proposal Development Series
During this workshop, our experts will provide important information about SBIR/STTR funding and how to craft a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal that meets the unique requirements of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs.

Expect to learn:

Registration process necessary for submission
Strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations.
How to approach each section of the proposal
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and more.

Agenda

June 3: SBIR/STTR Overview and Introduction to NIH
An overview of the SBIR/STTR programs, including eligibility, and sources of funding. An introduction to NIH, and essential information for selecting an institute appropriate for your technology, as well as, how to contact and communicate with program officials.

June 4: NIH Proposal Prep
Understanding the NIH review process, writing your Specific AIMS page, research strategy and preparing proposals components for maximum impact.

June 5: NIH Proposal Prep continued
Other critical details of the proposal; the importance of your team, facilities and budgets.

August 5, 2025

Communicating with the DOD
The DoD SBIR and STTR programs offer a wide range of opportunities for small firms to address military needs in just about every technology area from software to training systems, from medical products to air, land and sea platforms. Since DoD is a procuring agency, companies have the unique opportunity to solve problems identified by the SBIR solicitations and ultimately sell products to the Defense Department. In order to become an eventual supplier to DoD, you need to understand how they do business and their unique language and acronyms. This webinar will provide a brief look at how SBIR/STTR projects fit into the DoD’s procurement process, and how you can “speak their language” to improve your chances of winning Phase I and Phase II contract awards.

SBIR/STTR Open Office Hours

When: Every other Tuesday at 11am EST

Join the FL FAST team for open office hours where you can ask questions about the overall SBIR/STTR process, a specific agency or about your specific proposal. These sessions are open to any Florida entrepreneur and will be an unstructured Q&A format. Bring any questions you have about the SBIR/STTR program.

Click HERE to Register

Request SBIR/STTR Support

Please complete the form below to stay up to date with SBIR/STTR support resources available through FL FAST.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The FL FAST Network for Ecosystem Builders

The statewide FL FAST network includes more than 40 innovation ecosystem builders and entrepreneur support organizations and is expected to grow. We host a monthly call to connect ecosystem builders and provide SBIR/STTR-related resources. Please RSVP to join the monthly call, stay up to date on FL FAST activities and help entrepreneurs secure SBIR/STTR funding.