Arkansas research-based companies and entrepreneurs are encouraged to explore research topics that the U.S. Department of Energy seeks to fund through its Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program. These topics come from the following DOE offices:
- Office of Science (SC) – one topic
- Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) – seven topics
- Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) – 17 topics
- Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) – five topics
- Office of Nuclear Physics (NP) – five topics
Phase I awards can be up to $200,000 for 12-month project performance periods.
The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will be issued on Aug. 12 at 4 p.m. Letters of intent are required by Tuesday, Sept. 3. Full applications are due by Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Later this month, DOE will offer two webinars led by agency topics managers to provide insight into their respective topics.
- The July 22 webinar will cover SC, ASCR, and BES topics. Register here.
- The July 23 webinar will cover BER and NP topics. Register here.
On Aug. 16, DOE will hold a webinar to discuss the funding announcement. Changes to the agency’s SBIR/STTR programs for the coming year will also be addressed.
The Energy Dept. has a SBIR/STTR Phase 0 assistance program that provides eligible applicants with no-cost proposal development services through Dawnbreaker, an established commercialization company. These services include
- letter of intent review
- proposal preparation, review and registration assistance
- market research assistance
- intellectual property consultation and
- indirect rate calculation.
Arkansas applicants are eligible to apply and take advantage of these services, in addition to complementary ASBTDC assistance.
Additionally, online resources for preparing DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals are available. This Phase I Proposal Prep site contains tutorials, a video series and helpful links to nationwide services.
Arkansas-based prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Rebecca Todd for proposal development assistance at rctodd@ualr.edu or 501.683.7717.