America’s Seed Fund powered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) is piloting changes to the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) proposal submission process. The pilot replaces a recommended pre-proposal step, the Executive Summary, with a required first step, the Project Pitch.
Starting in March 2019, startups or entrepreneurs who submit a three-page Project Pitch will know within three weeks if they are a good fit for the SBIR/STTR program’s objectives of supporting innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk. Startups or entrepreneurs can submit a Project Pitch at any time during the pilot, which runs through December 2019.
More details about the NSF’s new process are available at seedfund.nsf.gov.
You can access their recorded WEBINAR about the Project Pitch and NSF’s SBIR/STTR assistance on This was their first webinar discussing their new SBIR/STTR applicant process..
Webinars are also scheduled for the following Dates/Times. Again, you must register in advance:
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 – 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET REGISTER
Program director Henry Ahn will explain the Project Pitch and answer questions about the program.
Wednesday, April, 24, 2019 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET REGISTER
Program director Ruth Shuman will explain the Project Pitch and answer questions about the program.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET REGISTER
Program director Anna Brady-Estevez will explain the Project Pitch and answer questions about the program.
