NIH SBIR/STTR: Proposal Preparation

This session is for UW-Madison and Wisconsin innovators (including faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, and alumni) pursuing commercialization of research and technologies related to health and medicine.

For basic research advancing beyond the academic realm into product development, the NIH provides non-dilutive federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The NIH SBIR/STTR programs award over $1.25 billion in R&D funding annually to qualified small businesses developing game-changing technologies. During this workshop, our expert will provide important information about SBIR/STTR funding and how to craft a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal that meets the unique requirements of the NIH.

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.
• The importance of your Specific Aims.
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and more!

Agenda

• 8:30 a.m. Registration & Refreshments
• 9:00 a.m. Introduction by CTC & BBCetc
• 9:30 a.m. SBIR/STTR Overview and NIH Program Essentials
  • An overview of the SBIR/STTR program and review of NIH Program Essentials
• 10:00 a.m. Break
• 10:15 a.m. NIH Proposal Prep - Part 1
  • Detailed explanation of each major component of the Research Plan with strategies and review criteria
• 12:15 p.m. Lunch Break
• 12:45 p.m. NIH Proposal Prep - Part 2
  • Continuation of NIH proposal prep, including Biosketches, Facilities, Budgets, and more
• 2:45 p.m. Closing remarks & Q&A
• 3:00 p.m. Other Components for Success
  • Elements of the Phase II Commercialization
• 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.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Wisconsin CTC at CTC@lists.wisconsin.edu or call 701-320-7502.