Ohio's small businesses are moving into the 21st Century through research, innovation and technological creativity, supported in a large part by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. As a result, Ohio and its business-minded citizens are preparing for leadership roles in national and global economies that are increasingly complex and sophisticated.
The federal Small Business Innovation Research Program is one of the few programs specifically created to facilitate small business involvement in federal research and development. Since its inception, the SBIR Program has directed $3.2 billion to small business concerns across the country. In the past decade, nearly $90 million has been given to Ohio businesses. It is anticipated that by 1997 more than $1.1 billion will be made available annually throughout the states. Products developed through SBIR have generated an additional $1.1 billion in sales. General Accounting Office survey results project approximates $2 billion in additional sales of SBIR spin-off products and services during the next two years.
Created in 1982, the SBIR Program requires all federal agencies with external R&D budgets of more than $100 million to award a percentage of their contract research to companies with fewer than 500 employees. The agencies identify research topics and small businesses compete for the awards by submitting proposals in response to agency solicitations.
A schedule of solicitation releases from each agency, and information on how to obtain these solicitations are available by contacting the Ohio SBIR Program office.
Winning proposal are awarded in three phases:
The following federal agencies participate in the SBIR Program:
Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Health & Human Services
Dept. of Commerce NASA
Dept. of Defense NatOl Science Foundation
Dept. of Education Nuclear Regulatory Comm.
Dept. of Energy Dept. of Transportation
EPA
Ohio's SBIR Program is designed to help Ohio's small technology-oriented firms take advantage of the opportunities created by the federal SBIR Program. The staff of Ohio's SBIR program is available to offer assistance statewide in response to the individual needs of business clients. Brief descriptions of some of the services available are provided:
Topics Selection: The staff of Ohio's SBIR Program can help a
business identify the best topic(s) for a potential
SBIR project. The state program can provide a
company with important information concerning the
eleven participating agencies research needs, past
funding histories, and critical technologies
Proposal Review: Ohio's SBIR Program can assist businesses through
all stages of the proposal process, including
proposal review before submission to the federal
agency.
Winners Support: Ohio's SBIR Program offers a variety of post-award
services to Ohio firms including assistance
negotiating contracts, meeting government
accounting requirements, and preparing Phase III
proposals. Conferences and workshops on topics of
interest to SBIR winners are presented throughout
the year. Phase III/commercialization assistance
includes identification of follow-on funding sources
and potential partners.
To learn more about how Ohio's SBIR Program can work with you, please call (800) 848-1300, x 3887 or (614) 466-3887. You can also visit the Ohio SBIR Program World Wide Web site at http://www.odod.ohio.gov/tech/sbir. to obtain more information about this exciting program.
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