Research & Development Resources

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council is an association of more than 550 biotechnology companies, universities, academic institutions and others dedicated to advancing cutting edge research. MBC provides services and support to foster the biotechnology industry in Massachusetts and sustain our position as a world leader.

R&D Grants, Tax Credits, and Financial Incentives

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Grants

The United States distributes $2 billion a year in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants designed to help small businesses stimulate technological innovation and technology commercialization.

Program Benefits:
· Successful grantees are typically small firms
· 41% have 2-9 employees
· 13 of all Phase I grantees are new to the program
· Start-up firms are eligible
· One in ten applicants are successful
· It is a grant program – no repayments
· Can apply for more than one grant at a time
· Support R&D for your firm
· Administrative burden is manageable
· Proprietary information is kept confidential

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program solicitations are issued by eleven Federal agencies including:

· 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

SBIR Eligibility Requirements Include:

· For profit company
· 51% U.S. owned
· Less than 500 employees
· Primary investigator must work for the company
· Proposal must meet Agency objectives

The SBIR program funds are issued in three phases:

Phase I - Prove Feasibility (typically $50,000-$100,000)
Phase II – Prototype Development (typically $250,000-$750,000)
Phase III - Commercialization Stage (typically no funding, but can re-apply for Phase II)

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program solicitations are issued by five agencies:

· Department of Defense
· Department of Energy
· National Institutes of Health
· National Aeronautics and Space Administration
· National Science Foundation

STTR Eligibility Requirements Include:

Applicants must be a small business (51% U.S. owned for-profit, less than 500 employees) partnered with a non-profit research institution (college, university, or other nonprofit research organization).

Principal Investigator can be employed by the small business or the research institute.

An Intellectual Property Agreement must be in place between the partners.

SBIR/STTR Solicitation Links:

http://www.sbir.gov/solicitations/
http://zyn.com/sbir/

For more information on partnering opportunities and application assistance contact:

Teri Anderson, Economic Development Coordinator
Mayor’s Office of Economic Development
City Hall, 210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1249
tanderson@northamptonma.gov