This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 08-066 (http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf08066). Title: Supplemental Opportunity for SBIR/STTR Memberships in I/UCRCs Date: 04/01/08 Replaces: NSF 07-018. Supplemental Opportunity for SBIR/STTR Memberships in I/UCRCs MEMORANDUM To: NSF Small Business Innovation Research Grantees (SBIR/STTR) Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) Directors From: Dr. Kesh Narayanan, Division Director Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships Re: Supplemental Opportunity for SBIR/STTR Memberships in I/UCRCs Dear Colleagues: This supplement aims to accelerate the innovation process by partnering industry-relevant academic research with commercialization focused small business research. It is designed to open the doors for small businesses to the benefits from the collaborative research performed at Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRCs) by inviting supplemental requests from Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grantees to join an I/UCRC. These centers conduct research directed to the needs of specific industries. Supplement Submission Window: Proposals may be submitted for consideration to this opportunity from January 1 to May 31, annually. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLEMENT OPPORTUNITY The Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program stimulates entrepreneurship in this country through government support for research in small business. These small firms often need additional research to commercialize their products. One method of providing this needed research is by enabling small businesses to obtain memberships in an I/UCRC. The I/UCRC program develops long-term partnerships among industry, academe, and government. The centers are catalyzed by a small investment from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and are primarily supported by center members, with NSF taking a supporting role in their development and evolution. I/UCRCs stimulate highly leveraged industry, university, and U.S. government cooperation by focusing on research recommended by Industrial Advisory Boards. Prospective PIs should contact an I/UCRC (see http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/iucrc/directory/index.jsp for a list) to learn more about that center's scope of research and its membership agreement. In most cases, a major advantage of I/UCRC membership for a small business is access to royalty-free, non-exclusive rights to center generated Intellectual Property (IP) developed during the membership and an opportunity to meet other stakeholders with similar industry and research interests. A letter of endorsement by the center must be included with the supplement request. Document Replaced: This document replaces NSF 07-018. Anticipated Funding Amount: This supplement enables NSF SBIR/STTR grantee firms to purchase one or two year memberships in an I/UCRC at a reduced rate capped at $5,000 per year. Annual membership fees generally vary at each center from $25,000 to $50,000 per year. The award for supplements in this program is equal to the membership fee for the I/UCRC center that the company is planning to join, less $5,000 per membership year, pending the availability of funds. Company Eligibility: Only companies with current NSF SBIR Phase II and NSF Phase IIB awards are eligible to apply. Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 20 to 35 awards will be made to SBIR/STTR grantees. PI Eligibility: The PI must be the same individual proposed in the active Phase II/IIB award. Limit on the number of supplements: None - SBIR firms have the option to submit proposals to join more than one I/UCRC. Review: Proposals will be reviewed internally by NSF staff. Supplement Preparation Instructions: The first line for the supplement description must include the words "I/UCRC:" followed by the name of the center that the small business wants to join. Proposals for supplemental funding must be submitted through FastLane as a supplement. The supplement must contain a letter of endorsement from the site director of an I/UCRC that the small business wishes to join. Contact information for centers can be found in the I/UCRC directory at http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/iucrc/directory/index.jsp. Proposals not following these instructions will be returned without review. Call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov for user support. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. When contacting FastLane, inform the technician that you are required to apply for this opportunity as a supplement. For More Information: Please contact one of the following program officials if you have questions about the SBIR - I/UCRC Membership Supplement. * Cheryl Albus, SBIR Program Director, Room 581 S, telephone (703) 292-7050, e-mailcalbus@nsf.gov * Thomas Allnutt, SBIR Program Director, Room 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-5332, e-mail tallnutt@nsf.gov * Errol Arkilic, SBIR Program Director, Room 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-8095, e-mail: earkilic@nsf.gov * Rathindra DasGupta, I/UCRC Program Director, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-8353, e-mail: rdasgupt@nsf.gov * Glenn Larsen, IIP Program Director and Membership Opportunity Coordinator, 505 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, e-mail: glarsen@nsf.gov * Murali Nair, SBIR Program Director, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-7059, e-mail: mnair@nsf.gov