NSF Funding Opportunities
The NSF’s Division of Integrative Organismal Systems is interested in receiving proposals for SBIR and STTR projects on:
BT9. Advanced Technologies for Functional Genomics in Organismal Systems- New Topic!
The aim of this program is to support the development of tools, reagents, and resources for emerging plant and animal model systems. These products are needed to expedite the identification of genes that control development, behavior, and physiology. Projects of interest include high throughput phenotyping, technologies and tools to enable the genetic manipulation of novel species, strategies for identifying causative genes, and the development of new functional assay systems.
See the new solicitations at:
SBIR, NSF 15-605; Proposals due December 8, 2015: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15605/nsf15605.htm
STTR, NSF 15-604; Proposals due December 11, 2015: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15604/nsf15604.htm
Additional information about the SBIR/STTR program is at http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir/topics.jsp
This topic is part of the Biological Technologies Topic Area (BT).
This program provides non-dilutive funds for early-stage research and development (R&D) at small businesses. This R&D should be based on innovative, transformational technology with potential for substantial commercial and/or societal benefits. The SBIR program invites proposals from small businesses across a broad range of science and engineering disciplines. The STTR program invites proposals from small businesses across a broad range of science and engineering disciplines in collaboration with researchers at universities, Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, and other non-profit institutions. If you are successful, you will receive a grant of up to $225,000 for a 6-12 month development/feasibility project. You can then compete for a second grant of up to $750,000 over a 2-year period, with the aim of advancing the technology toward commercial deployment.
NSF encourages proposals from a diversity of entrepreneurs -- new and seasoned. What is most important is that you have transformative idea or innovation and that your team's primary goal is the commercialization of the technology. Having no commercialization track record will not count against you – for many companies, an NSF SBIR award is their first attempt at
commercializing an innovation.
Video resources on the SBIR/STTR website provide a general program description, solicitation-specific information, and helpful proposal preparation advice. A follow-up series of Q&A webinars hosted by SBIR/STTR Program Directors will be held in the months leading up to the deadline date. Links to register for the Q&A sessions will be posted on the SBIR/STTR website.