This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 10-056.
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology
Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Supplemental Funding for Minority-Serving
Community College Research Teams
Dear Colleague Letter
The Directorate for Engineering’s Office of Industrial Innovation
(OII) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, in collaboration with the
Directorate for Education and Human Resources' Division of Human
Resource Development (HRD) invites all active SBIR/STTR Phase II
grantees to participate in a new supplemental funding opportunity.
The supplements for research teams are intended to foster partnership
between Minority-Serving Community Colleges (MSCCs), which educate
large numbers of underrepresented students, and the small business
community. NSF is seeking to increase the participation of underrepresented
groups in both academic and small business research by encouraging
careers in science and engineering.
Through this supplemental program small businesses will gain access
to faculty and students capable of contributing to the scientific
research conducted by the small business while faculty and students
will gain experience by working on research projects that lead
to commercial products and processes. It is anticipated that this
research collaboration will lead to continued partnership between
the academic institutions and small business firms, which represent
the largest employer of scientists and engineers.
OVERVIEW OF WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. The Small Business Minority-Serving
Community College Research Teams Supplement (henceforth referred
to as SBIR/STTR Phase IICC) will award research supplements to
existing SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees that are able to host a research
team from a MSCC. This supplement opportunity is intended to further
SBIR/STTR Phase II research and facilitate progress toward their
grant goals while providing a substantial scientific research experience
for the MSCC research team.
Minority-Serving Community Colleges (MSCC): Historically
Black Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Colleges, and Tribal Colleges
are non-profit and whose highest degree awarded is the associate
degree. A list of MSCCs can be found on the SBIR/STTR home page
http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir/supplemental_requests.jsp under Phase
IICC Eligible MSCCs.
MSCC Research Teams: Must consist of at least one MSCC faculty
member and at least one MSCC student. (Teams with additional students
or faculty are highly encouraged if supported within the standard
award amount.)
Faculty at Minority-Serving Community Colleges interested in identifying
SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees should consult the NSF interactive
award search system (http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/). In the text
box labeled Search Award for enter “SBIR Phase II” or “STTR
Phase II” and check the box Active Awards
Only.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Organization Limit: Only currently funded SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees
are eligible to submit proposals for supplemental funding under
this initiative.
PI Eligibility Limit: The Principal Investigator must be the PI
of an active SBIR/STTR Phase II award.
Limit on Number of Proposals: None
AWARD INFORMATION
- Awards will be made as supplements to active SBIR/STTR
Phase II awards;
- The maximum supplemental award amount is
$40,000;
- A minimum of 75% of the supplement is required to be
used as a sub-award to the Minority-Serving Community College;
- A
maximum of 25% of the supplement is available to the SBIR/STTR
firm (including overhead);
- Thirty (30) awards are anticipated in
Fiscal Year 2006; and
Awards are subject to the availability of funds.
PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Proposal Preparation Instructions. Proposals must be submitted
according to the instructions for submitting supplemental funding
requests found on the SBIR/STTR home page http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir/ under Supplemental Requests.
Budgetary Information. Budgets for SBIR/STTR Phase IICC supplemental
proposals may not exceed $40,000. 75% is required to be used as
a sub-award to the Minority-Serving Community College and 25% for
the SBIR/STTR firm including overhead. It is expected that $1,200,000
will be available in Fiscal Year 2006 for this supplemental funding,
pending availability of funds.
Deadline Dates. Supplemental requests must be received by April
17th, 2006 in order to assure availability of funding for activities
that start in the summer of 2006. SBIR/STTR grants must be active
at the time of the supplement award.
PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION
Proposals for supplemental funding submitted in response to this
Dear Colleague Letter will be jointly reviewed by National Science
Foundation program officers in the Office of Industrial Innovation,
Directorate for Engineering and the Division of Human Resource
Management, Directorate for Education and Human Resources.
CONTACT PERSONNEL
Questions about this letter should be directed to Juan Figueroa
(703-292-7054, jfiguero@nsf.gov)
Office of Industrial Innovation, Directorate for Engineering, or
Jessie DeAro (703-292-5350, jdearo@nsf.gov)
Division of Human Resource Management, Directorate for Education
and Human Resources.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES OF INTEREST
All active SBIR/STTR Phase II grantees are invited to participate
in two other supplement opportunities; 1) Research Assistantships
for High School Students (RAHSS) and 2) Supplemental Funding for
Diversity Collaborations. Both of these opportunities can be found
at http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir/ under Supplemental
Requests. Through
these initiatives, NSF seeks to broaden participation in science
and engineering, particularly women, underrepresented minorities,
and persons with disabilities in academic and small business research.
Kesh Narayanan
Director Industrial Innovation
OII/ENG
Victor Santiago
Division Director, Acting
HRD/EHR
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