Funding Partnerships
NNI agencies will continue to make use of existing mechanisms for technology transfer and commercial development, such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and the Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) program. These programs are not specifically aimed at nanotechnology; however, agencies may highlight topics of interest to stimulate proposals in certain areas.
The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) is a highly competitive program that encourages small business to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
The Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) is an important small business program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation R&D arena. Central to the program is expanding the public/private sector partnership to include joint venture opportunities for small business and the nation's premier nonprofit research institutions.
Participating Departments and Agencies
Departments and agencies currently participating in the SBIR program are: the National Institutes of Health, Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Defense (DOD), Education (DoED), Energy (DOE), and Transportation (DOT); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SBIR and NIST Technology Innovation Program (TIP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). DARPA , the Air Force, Navy and Army have their own SBIR/STTR sites.
Federal agencies with extramural R&D budgets over $1 billion are required to administer STTR programs using an annual set-aside of 0.15%. The set-aside will increase to 0.3 percent in FY 2004. Currently, five Federal agencies participate in the STTR program: DOD, DOE, DHHS (NIH), NASA and NSF.
Laws covering these funding programs include the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, and the Small Business Innovation Research Program Reauthorization Act of 2000.
Advanced Technology Program (ATP)
The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) bridges the gap between the research lab and the market place. Through partnerships with the private sector, ATP’s early stage investment is accelerating the development of innovative technologies that promise significant commercial payoffs and widespread benefits for the nation. As part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the ATP provides a mechanism for industry to extend its technological reach. The program has strict cost sharing rules, making this a true partnership between government and industry.
Other Business-Relating Funding Opportunities
The NSF Guide to Programs describes funding opportunities for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering.
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is a joint program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and several U.S. states and territories. The program promotes the development of the states' science and technology (S&T) resources through partnerships involving a state's universities, industry, and government, and the Federal research and development (R&D) enterprise.
The Department of Defense (DoD) program, Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), (under construction) is designed to expand research opportunities in states that have traditionally received the least funding in federal support for university research. Academic researchers in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, the US Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming were eligible to receive awards under this competition in 2003.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office, the Office of Naval Research, and the Advanced Technology Development Directorate of the Missile Defense Agency solicit proposals using a defense-wide broad agency announcement.