News

IPart Announces $80,000 FAST Grant Award and Continuation of its Successful SBIR/STTR Assistance Programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2012

For further information:

Kelly S. Wylam, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
info@innovationpartnership.net / 717-948-4318

 


HARRISBURG, PA
The Innovation Partnership (IPart) secured an $80,000 Federal State and Technology Partnership (FAST) grant from the US Small Business Administration. IPart is Pennsylvania’s premiere Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and federal funding assistance Program.  IPart, led by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP), and established in 2003, is a unique state-wide consortium involving the following economic development, higher education, and business assistance organizations located throughout the Commonwealth: Ben Franklin Technology Partners, University City Science Center, Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central PA, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, Pennsylvania State University, Drexel University, and Temple University.

The IPart program originated and was funded as an initiative of the Commonwealth by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED).  Since that time the program has evolved with its assistance offerings and supporting partner organizations. Through the financial support of its members, IPart has secured over $160,000 in commitments from its 12 regional partners.

This new funding allowed IPart to compete for and secure an $80,000 Federal State and Technology Partnership (FAST) grant from the US Small Business Administration.  IPart will maintain the robust services for SBIR/STTR clients.  Equally important, this funding assures there will be no changes to the services offered to IPart clients, under the direction of IPart Director, Kelly Wylam.  Together with the current partner commitments, IPart can assure Pennsylvania’s small technology companies that its programs will continue to assist them in generating winning, fundable federal SBIR & STTR proposals.

“The success of The Innovation Partnership is clear: a 15:1 return on state dollars from awarded federal grants.  We are proud to have funded the program since 2003,” said Sheri Collins, Executive Director, PA Department of Community & Economic Development.

 

The Innovation Partnership offers several programs designed to assist emerging, technology-based companies apply for Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer Grants (STTR) from federal agencies.  Throughout the year, the partnership also sponsors a dozen or more seminars and workshops on federal grant application guidelines and techniques – see innovationpartnership.net

The Pre-Proposal Application Program (PPAP) offers the opportunity to have a proposal professionally reviewed, at no cost, before making a submission to a federal agency. Those who successfully participate in the Pre-Proposal Application Program Review may also apply for up to $1,000 from the Travel and Training Reimbursement Program.  This funding is available to help the company visit the federal agency, program manager, or laboratory that is sponsoring the grant application.  The money can also be used to attend SBIR/STTR conferences and training sessions. The MicroVoucher Program is awarded to applicants who have concepts that exhibit a strong potential for award and covers up to $3,000 of a professional consultant’s fee related to proposal preparation. This new program, along with the established MicroGrant Program, assists in enhancing and refining an applicant’s federal proposal submission.

IPart focuses on research and development projects in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, energy, and communications technology to name a few.  Kelly S. Wylam, IPart Director, commented, “The IPart mission is to enable an entrepreneur to prepare a high-quality SBIR or STTR grant application that has a strong likelihood of receiving funding, and our historic results have been positive. Since the program’s inception 489 technical reviews have been provided to Pennsylvania companies and 90 companies have been awarded over $25M in federal grants.”

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The Innovation Partnership is comprised of: Ben Franklin Technology Partners, University City Science Center, Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, , Pennsylvania State University, Drexel University and Temple University. For more information contact Kelly S. Wylam, (717) 948-4318 or kelly@benfranklin.org