Small Business Innovation Research
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was established 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).
Small Business Innovation Research Project Selector
Dr. Edward Metz
(202) 208-1983
Edward.Metz@ed.gov
The Institute of Education Sciences' SBIR program is structured in three phases, the first two of which are supported by SBIR funds.
Phase I: Phase I awards supports the development of a prototype of an education technology product that contributes to improved student learning and academic achievement in the field of education, and research activities to determine the feasibility of the prototype in a school or other formal education delivery setting. Phase I awards are for 6-months, and up to $100,000.
Phase II: The Phase II award period is designed to continue the research or R&D effort initiated in Phase I with products that appear sufficiently promising as a result of Phase I. Phase II awards are for periods up to 2 years in amounts up to $750,000.
Phase II Fast Track Option: Through the Fast-Track option, the Institute funds meritorious proposals for activities that cover both the Phase I and Phase II periods. Fast Track projects include full-scale development of an education technology product that contributes to improved student learning and academic achievement in the field of education, evaluation of the product in a school or other formal education delivery settings, and plans for the private sector commercialization of the product. By providing funds for the Phase I period (6 months, up to $100,000) and an option for Phase II (2 years, up to $750,000), commencing as soon as Phase I ends, the Fast-Track mechanism has the potential to eliminate a funding gap between Phase I and Phase II. Firms with strong research or research and development (R/R&D) capabilities in education technology in the priority areas listed within the Request for Proposals are encouraged to participate.
Consultative or other arrangements between such firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted for up to one-third of the funding in Phase I and up to half of the funding in Phase II. However, the small business must serve as the project lead.
Phase III. An objective of the SBIR program is to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R&D. During Phase III, the small business concern is expected to pursue commercialization with non-SBIR funds. Successful Phase II and Fast Track proposals include plans for commercialization. The Department of Education does not provide funding during the Phase III period.
The Institute of Education Sciences invites qualified small business firms to submit a "Fast-Track" (Phase I & Phase II) proposal for up to $850,000 for the research and development of technological products that lead to improved student learning or improve the efficiency with which schools are operated.
The due date and time for the receipt of proposals is 12PM EST on January 22, 2009.
Download the ED-IES-09-R-0004 Request for Proposals
Download, view, & print the Fast Track RFP in PDF format. (428 KB)
Eleven federal agencies participate in this program, including: the Departments of Education (ED), Agriculture (USDA), Commerce (DOC), Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security (DHS), and Transportation (DOT); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program is administered similarly by each of these departments.
Two offices in the Department of Education (ED) administer SBIR Programs:
- Institute of Education Sciences (IES);
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)/ National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
