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NIFA: Small Business Innovation Research Program in the US

Deadline: 3-Nov-21

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is pleased to announce Small Business Innovation Research Program(SBIR) that aims to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of federal research funds to build a strong national economy by stimulating technological innovation in the private sector; strengthening the role of small business in meeting federal research and development needs; increasing the commercial application of federally supported research results; and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) SBIR program focuses on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the SBIR program supports small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enables the application of research advancements from conception into the market.

Purpose and Priorities

The NIFA SBIR program is carried out in three separate phases. This program solicitation is only for the preparation and submission of Phase I applications. The aim of a Phase I project should be to demonstrate technical feasibility of the proposed innovation and thereby bring the innovation closer to commercialization. Proposals should describe the development of an innovation that demonstrates the following characteristics:

  • Involves a high degree of technical risk – for example, has never been attempted and/or successfully achieved and, is still facing technical hurdles (that the USDA-funded R&D work is intended to overcome).
  • Has the potential for significant commercial impact and/or societal benefit, as evidenced by: having the potential to disrupt the targeted market segment; having good productmarket fit (as validated by customers); removing barriers to entry for competition; offering  potential for societal benefit (through commercialization under a sustainable business model).
  • Phase I awards may not exceed the listed maximum award amount for each Program Code for a period normally not to exceed eight (8) months.
  • The Phase I application should concentrate on research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept, describe the potential market for the innovation and will be a prerequisite to further USDA SBIR support in Phase II.

Goals

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Program is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Goals:

  • Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers To Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World
  • Promote American Agricultural Products and Exports
  • Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development
  • Strengthen the Stewardship of Private Lands Through Technology and Research
  • Ensure Productive and Sustainable Use of the National Forest System Lands
  • Provide All Americans Access to a Safe, Nutritious, and Secure Food Supply

Funding Information

  • Award Ceiling: $181,650
  • The anticipated amount available for Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I in FY 2022 is approximately $12,000,000 and approximately $12,000,300 for FY2023 grants only.
  • USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.
  • This RFA is released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2022 and FY 2023. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

Eligibility Criteria

For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

  • Each applicant submitting an application must qualify as a Small Business Concern (SBC) through registration with the SBA for R/R&D purposes at the time of selection. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.
  • A potential grantee that is a subsidiary must show that the parent company or parent companies are also a small business entity and the parent company or parent companies must provide documentation supporting their small business status.
  • If the parent company or one of the parent companies is a nonprofit organization, then the subsidiary is not eligible to submit an SBIR application.
  • In addition, the primary employment of the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) must be with the small business concern at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed research. Eligible primary employment means that more than one-half (51%) of the PD’s/PI’s time is spent in the employ of the small business during the award period of performance. Primary employment with the small business precludes the applicant as a full-time employee another organization or academic institution.
  • While the PD/PI must work more than one half (51%) of his/her time for the small business during the entire grant period, there is no time requirement for the PD’s/PI’s work on the proposed research. Prior Federal Employees must documentation that post termination requirements from Federal Service has been completed at time of submission.
  • For Phase I, the R/R&D work must be performed in the United States. On rare and unique circumstances, for example, a supply, material or project requirement may not be available in the United States, agencies may allow that particular portion of the R/R&D work to be performed or obtained outside of the United States. Upon award, the Phase I awardee may request an exception as described in the award terms and conditions and submit to USDA NIFA for approval.

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=335648