USDA SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab

in collaboration with

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USDA Request for Application Closes September 17, 2024

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How It Works

Meet With Us

Pre-Selection

Topic Match Up

We’ll answer questions about USDA’s SBIR/STTR program to help you decide if this is an opportunity for you.

Submit your idea for a preliminary review of topic eligibility.

Match your capabilities with the 10 USDA program topics.

Invitation

Proposal Lab

Proposal Submission

If your company’s capabilities are a match for one of the USDA program topics, you will be selected to participate.

We'll be available to answer questions during weekly office hours and personal meetings. You'll receive valuable, personalized information in order to submit your USDA SBIR/STTR application on time.

You will remain a part of the accelerator family. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with you.

Meet the Experts

How to Write a Strong Application

July 31, 12:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. CT

As part of the Proposal Lab, you'll have the opportunity to hear from USDA Officer Tammi Neville during a webinar on July 31. Tammi will share advice for how to write a strong USDA SBIR/STTR proposal.

Tammi Neville

USDA Program Specialist

Get started to submit your proposal by September 17.

About the Proposal Lab

Our goal is to help you to succeed at bringing your technology to market by taking advantage of the SBIR/STTR federal programs non-dilutive funding.

The USDA Proposal Lab offers one of the most wide-ranging application opportunities for new technologies. The SBIR/STTR programs at USDA are administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and offer 10 topic areas that are intended to permit a variety of science and technology based small businesses to compete for funding.

The ten topics are:

8.1 Forest and Related Resources

8.2 Plant Production and Protection - Biology

8.3 Animal Production and Protection

8.4 Conservation of Natural Resources

8.5 Food Science and Nutrition

8.6 Rural and Community Development

8.7 Aquaculture

8.8 Biofuels and Biobased Products

8.12 Small and Mid-size Farms

8.13 Plant Production and Protection – Engineering

During the proposal lab you will be matched with one or more topics within your capabilities and interest. You will receive virtual instruction, templates and resources to help you write your proposal, one-on-one counseling, and when possible, match-up with experts in your area.

I have an idea. Where do I start?

Sign-up for a consultation or submit your pitch. We will reach out to you to discuss your fit.
What happens if my idea is not a good fit for DOD SBIR?

You are in luck, we work with a number of partners and we have access to many resources. If your idea is not a good fit for DOD, but it could work for other agencies. The KY Innovation team at the Cabinet for Economic Development can help.
My idea is a good fit for DOD SBIR/STTR programs, what's next?

Topic match-up will be two days after the DOD will release their BAA topics (Dec, Apr, Aug). We will work with you to review those topics and find a match. If none of the topics work for you, we can still help you submit to other SBIR programs.
The Proposal Lab is 8-weeks long, do I have to commit all that time?

Yes, spots are limited. If you don't think you can commit to 200-300 hours of work, then let someone else have that opportunity.
If I complete the program and I win a DOD award, what happens?

You will be our poster company on social media! You will also be eligible for the KY SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program. We are dedicating all of our resources to promote your company along the way.

I have an idea. Where do I start?

Sign-up for a consultation or submit your pitch. We will reach out to you to discuss your fit.
What happens if my idea is not a good fit for DOD SBIR?

You are in luck, we work with a number of partners and we have access to many resources. If your idea is not a good fit for DOD, but it could work for other agencies. The KY Innovation team at the Cabinet for Economic Development can help.
My idea is a good fit for DOD SBIR/STTR programs, what's next?

Topic match-up will be two days after the DOD will release their BAA topics (Dec, Apr, Aug). We will work with you to review those topics and find a match. If none of the topics work for you, we can still help you submit to other SBIR programs.
The Proposal Lab is 8-weeks long, do I have to commit all that time?

Yes, spots are limited. If you don't think you can commit to 200-300 hours of work, then let someone else have that opportunity.
If I complete the program and I win a DOD award, what happens?

You will be our poster company on social media! You will also be eligible for the KY SBIR/STTR Matching Funds program. We are dedicating all of our resources to promote your company along the way.