The pre-proposal support and financial assistance that technology-driven companies need to create high-quality SBIR and STTR grant proposals.
The Innovation Partnership (IPart) offers free pre-proposal review and financial assistance to technology-driven companies in Pennsylvania that are preparing high-quality Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grant proposals for submission to federal funding agencies.
Pre-Proposal Technical Review
A Pre-Proposal Technical Review is offered to applicants whose proposal concepts have strong potential for competing successfully to win federal funding. This program offers a no-cost opportunity to receive valuable feedback from subject matter experts on planned Phase I and Phase II proposal concepts. All proposal concepts under review are fully protected by non-disclosure agreements to ensure confidentiality of proprietary information.
MicroVoucher Program
Candidates can be awarded a MicroVoucher from IPart that reimburses one-half of the cost incurred in preparing the proposal itself or up to $3,000, whichever is less. These awards are for Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal preparation. Payment is made directly to a Preferred Provider (PDF) (SBIR/STTR grant assistance professional) for their services.
MicroGrant Program
Candidates who receive a highly positive pre-proposal review can be awarded a MicroGrant from IPart. The MicroGrant reimburses up to one-half of the total cost (or up to $2,000, whichever is less) incurred in preparing the proposal itself. Payment is made directly to the client or company.
Federal Marketing Assistance Awards
Phase II Proposal Candidates can be awarded up to $5,000 (or half of the total proposal preparation costs, whichever is less). Funds can be used to defray proposal prep admin costs or reports to enhance the commercialization section.
Other Federal Funding Opportunity Assistance
IPart MAY consider assisting clients with other federal funding grant opportunities (such as BAAs or RFPs) specifically designed to assist small businesses in technology or innovative spaces, IF the opportunity and proposal structure align well with our IPart Pre-Proposal or FMA mechanisms. These opportunities are reviewed one-on-one, with the IPart Director, on a case-by-case basis.
IPart DOES NOT currently assist clients seeking to submit a FastTrack or Direct to Phase II proposals if the client has never successfully submitted and won PhI(s) or PhI & PhII awards previously. If a client has previously been awarded a PhI(s) or PhI & PhII awards, consideration MAY be given to assist with a FastTrack/Direct to PHII submission, but, only after one-on-one consultation with the IPart Director and a majority of agreement with the IPart Investment Committee.
IPart Director: Kelly S. Wylam kelly.wylam@benfranklin.org
To receive the greatest benefits from the proposal technical review process, IPart recommends that interested applicants contact a Program Sponsor or the IPart Director as early as possible in their SBIR/STTR identification process. IPart must receive a request for assistance, a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the federal proposal submission deadline (8 weeks is advisable).
