PROPEL SBIR/STTR Awards Program

The purpose of the PROPEL SBIR/STTR Awards Program is to increase the number of Illinois’ PROPEL companies that apply for and receive approval of SBIR and/or STTR federal research grants. Through these small grants, PROPEL expects to help its companies submit stronger grant submissions and be more prepared for managing approved SBIR/STTR grants. The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and its parallel Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program provide over $2 billion a year to small companies developing leading-edge technologies of interest to 11 federal agencies. Eligible small businesses can secure millions of dollars in nondilutive R&D funding to support the goal of commercialization of technology-based products.

The new PROPEL SBIR/STTR Awards Program consists of two parts: PROPEL Technical Assistance Awards to assist PROPEL companies in the preparation of SBIR or STTR grant submissions and PROPEL Grants Management Toolkit Awards to assist PROPEL companies with the implementation of a grants management program upon approval of an SBIR or STTR grant.

PART A: PROPEL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AWARDS

PROPEL will provide qualified PROPEL companies and/or PROPEL participants with consultant services to assist in the preparation of SBIR or STTR grant submissions. These services will be designed to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs to identify, advance, prepare, and/or review Phase I SBIR or STTR proposals.

OPTION 1: PROPEL PHASE I TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AWARD

A PROPEL Phase I Award is up to $3,000 from PROPEL in a 50% company match (company is required to match up to $1,500) for assistance in submitting an SBIR or STTR Phase I grant to the NIH, NSF, DoD, or another federal agency.

OPTION 2: PROPEL PHASE II TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AWARD

A PROPEL Phase II Award is up to $5,000 from PROPEL in a 50% company match (company is required to match up to $2,500) for assistance in submitting an SBIR or STTR Phase II grant to the NIH, NSF, DoD, or another federal agency.

PART B: PROPEL GRANTS MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT AWARDS

PROPEL will provide qualified PROPEL companies and/or PROPEL participants with consultant services to assist in the implementation of a grants management program upon approval of an SBIR or STTR grant.

OPTION 1: FIRST TIME SBIR/STTR RECIPIENTS

For those PROPEL companies receiving an approved SBIR/STTR grant for the first time, this award will provide grants management services valued at up to $500.

OPTION 2: PREVIOUS SBIR/STTR RECIPIENTS

For those PROPEL companies receiving an approved SBIR/STTR grant more than 30 days prior to receipt of application, this award will provide grants management services valued at up to $500.

Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must be active PROPEL companies for at least 30 days prior to application submission and must remain an active PROPEL company by completing the semiannual tracking for at least 18 months after the award has been paid
Awardees must have employees (not contractors, consultants, board members, etc.) attend a 2-day SBIR/STTR Grant Writing Workshop within 120 days of award approval or have already attended this workshop previously. It is preferred that attendance occurs prior to application submission.
Awardee must sign a grant award receipt and agree to use BBCetc for these services. Awardee is responsible for all fees and expenses incurred with BBCetc beyond the approved award amount.

CLICK HERE for detailed information on the PROPEL SBIR/STTR Awards Program.

Applications are available to PROPEL companies upon request.

Contact PROPEL for any questions (propel@ibioinstitute.org or 312.422.1111x5).