Guidance for SBIR/STTR Applicants and Awardees
Participating Agencies are providing guidance relevant to applicants and awardees regarding changes to solicitation deadlines, reporting requirements, or other administrative flexibilities related to grants and contracts.
Stay up-to-date with the relevant agency directly. This list of agency sites will be updated as more information becomes available.
If you are a current awardee, reach out directly to your funding agreement officer (grant or contracting officer) and program manager.
SBA Guidance & Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing support and guidance to small business owners in all U.S. states and territories. www.sba.gov/coronavirus
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – Up to $10 million loans that may be forgiven for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) – Up to $2 million working capital loans to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus
- EIDL Advance – Up to $10,000 loan advance funding that does not need to be repaid
Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing. Fraudsters have been targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times.
Federal Funding and Partnership Opportunities in the Fight Against Coronavirus
Federal agencies are supporting research and development in the national response to coronavirus. These include SBIR and non-SBIR funding opportunities.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued a request for SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals addressing COVID-19. Read more.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a list of funding opportunities specific to COVID-19 that may be applicable to an existing SBIR/STTR award, including administrative supplements, Urgent Competitive Revisions that may allow for expanded scope of existing awards to address COVID-19, and availability of funding for Emergency Competitive Revisions.
- Air Force Unite and Fight: Covid-19 Response Team
- US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has an expanded round of SBIR Phase l applications to address Ag challenges in existing topic areas due by May 21, 2020.
- Department of Energy (DOE) has requested ideas on COVID-19 research that DOE can support. Read more.
- DOE Lab Partnering Service and COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) provides streamlined access to DOE National Lab researchers, patents for licensing, facility access, and targeted funding to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a variety of business opportunities, including working with FEMA. Read more.
- The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency (BARDA) works with partners to identify medical countermeasures and technologies to combat the 2019 novel coronavirus. In addition to funding for diagnostic assays, nonclinical models, vaccines, and advanced manufacturing technologies, BARDA coordinates the USG CoronaWatch Portal, a single point of entry for submitting information about your products and technologies to address the outbreak.
- The MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC), a consortium of minority-serving research institutions, industry and government partners established in collaboration with the US Army Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, has an open call for capabilities to address the response to COVID-19.
- The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), a biomedical technology consortium collaborating with the US Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), has active solicitations to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Resources for Innovators
Federal
Keep up with the overall federal response at www.coronavirus.gov
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) - www.uspto.gov/coronavirus
- Patents 4 Partnerships - A web-based intellectual property (IP) marketplace platform to facilitate connections between patent holders and potential licensees in key technologies
- COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot program for small and micro entities - USPTO will grant requests for prioritized examination to patent applicants that qualify for small or micro entity status without payment of the typical fees associated with other prioritized examination. In addition, the USPTO will endeavor to reach final disposition of applications in this program within six months if applicants respond promptly to communications from the USPTO.
SBA Resource Partners
Connect to local SBA partners - https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance
Resources from Partners
- First Flight Ventures and Eva Garland (Growth Accelerator) - https://sbirland.com/
- Alice (Growth Accelerator) - https://www.covid19businesscenter.com/
- America's SBDC and Association of Womens' Business Centers - https://www.covid-sb.org/
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network COVID-19 Small Business Resource Page - https://americassbdc.org/covid19/
- SCORE COVID-19 Small Business Resource Hub - https://www.score.org/coronavirus
SBIR/STTR Awardees Supporting COVID-19 Relief
We've been inspired reading about SBIR/STTR companies that are using their expertise and resources to contribute to COVID-19 relief efforts. If that includes you, we want to know! Send us an email at technology@sba.gov with links to your press releases or other information.
With the global outbreak of COVID-19 and the closure of tens of thousands of schools across the United States and world, a group of SBIR-supported developers and researchers are now offering their learning games and technologies at no cost through the end of the school year for use in distance learning settings with internet access. Read more
