NSF SBIR/STTR: Proposal Preparation Intensive

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invests more than $200 million annually in their SBIR/STTR Program to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense. NSF-funded research has led to breakthroughs and new discoveries that help people live longer, healthier and more productive lives, and builds a research foundation that drives further discovery. Join our SBIR Classroom for an interactive, full-day, intensive of the NSF SBIR/STTR grant program. 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 to submit a successful proposal.

You’ll learn:

• Programs goals and eligibility
• How to navigate the NSF website and use their web tools
• The importance of Program Managers at NSF
• Application components and proposal scoring
• How to avoid common pitfalls and more!

Agenda

• 8:30 a.m. Registration & Refreshments
• 9:00 a.m. Introduction by CTC & BBCetc
• 9:15 a.m. 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.
• 10:45 a.m. Break 11:00 a.m. 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.
• 12:45 p.m. Lunch Break
• 1:30 p.m. Other key elements of the Phase I
  • Budget, bio sketches, facilities, collaborators, and tips on navigating the submission process.
• 3:00 p.m. Closing remarks & Q&A
• 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Networking and 15-minute one-on-one’s
  • Sign-up for one-on-ones will be sent out closer to the event.

About BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting:

BBCetc is nationally recognized for its success in helping emerging companies win SBIR/STTR funding and use it strategically to propel growth. BBCetc manages the Michigan SBIR/STTR assistance program and their Michigan clients have been awarded over $437 million in funding since 2002. The company was recently named a Tibbetts award winner as well as one of 50 “Michigan companies to watch” by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. www.bbcetc.com / 734.930.9741 / info@bbcetc.com / @BBC_etc

About the Presenter: Megan Varnum, Ph.D.:

Megan joined BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting as a Principal Consultant in 2019 with a wealth of experience in leading biological technologies on the path to commercialization. As CEO of FibrosIX Inc., a Michigan company developing compounds for the treatment or prevention of fibrosis-related disorders, Megan was involved in all aspects of planning and operation of the company. This included writing an SBIR grant proposal, which was awarded from the National Cancer Institute. Her prior experience includes serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Michigan State University’s Spartan Innovations where she assisted MSU researchers in translating their technologies into startup businesses. While at MSU, she managed the launch of two startups and assisted in preparation of both NIH and NSF SBIR proposals. A former Research Associate of the Scripps Research Institute, Megan received a B.S degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a PhD from Boston University.