The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) is a $1.5 billion federal funding program that encourages small businesses to develop commercially viable technologies or innovations. Organized as a competition, SBIR allows small companies the opportunity to test and develop innovative technologies that are likely to lead to commercial success. To compete for SBIR dollars, small businesses respond to program solicitations issued by participating federal agencies.

The following eleven federal departments and agencies are required to reserve a portion of their extramural R&D funds for SBIR. These agencies designate R&D topics and accept proposals:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Homeland Security 
• Department of Transportation
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• National Science Foundation

Following submission of proposals, agencies make SBIR awards based on small business qualification, degree of innovation, technical merit, and future market potential.

The State of Hawaii assists local firms to compete for federal SBIR awards through the Hawaii SBIR Assistance program.  Assistance includes proposal writing assistance, proposal reviews and State matching grants. 

For further information, call the High Technology Development Corporation at: (808) 539-3814, or visit the Small Business Innovation Research Assistance Program webpage.