Dr. Edward Metz
(202) 208-1983
Edward.Metz@ed.gov

Program Type: Contracts

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was establish by Congress in 1982 to provide federal research and development funding to stimulate the small business sector and to strengthen the national base for technological innovation. At present, 11 Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, provide more than $2 billion annually to for-profit small business firms and their partners. The U.S. Department of Education operates its SBIR program through two program offices, the Institute of Education Sciences and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services / National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

The Institute of Education Sciences’ Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides up to $850,000 for the research and development of technological products that directly or indirectly lead to improved student learning and academic achievement.

Products developed include those that can be used by students, teachers, or administrators in school or other formal education settings, in regular or special education classrooms, from pre-kindergarten through the post-secondary level. Technological products intended for use by students or teachers must be within the content areas of reading, writing, mathematics, or science, or must contribute to the improvement of social skills and behaviors that support academic learning and other important school-related outcomes (e.g., attendance, high school graduation rates). Products intended for teacher use may also include tools designed to improve the efficiency or accuracy with which teachers carry out their administrative responsibilities (e.g., recording and calculating grades). Technological products intended for use by school-level administrators (e.g., principal, guidance counselors, special education administrators) must be to improve the manner in which schools are operated (e.g., products that inform school operation, school data systems to inform practice). Products may be implemented or integrated within school practice as a replacement to existing curricula, supplement to existing curricula, teacher professional development program, instructional approach, student assessment, or as a management tool for school administrators.

Technological products may be in the following forms, but are not limited to: software (e.g., intelligent tutors, assessment engines), digital format readers, multi-media products (e.g., DVDs, videotapes, videoconferencing, television programs), technological devices (e.g., interactive whiteboards, clickers, personal computing devices, tablets, handheld devices), online instruction (e.g., "e-learning" products, distance learning products), or systems-level technologies (e.g., network infrastructure devices, school management programs).