Applying for an NSF SBIR grant involves a unique first step: the Project Pitch. This article will guide you through the process and help you get started with your Project Pitch submission.
Understanding the NSF Project Pitch
Before you can submit a full SBIR proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF), you must first submit and receive approval on a Project Pitch. This step is designed to help you:
1. Determine if your project is a good fit for the NSF SBIR program
2. Receive quick feedback from NSF staff
3. Get invited to submit a full proposal
The Project Pitch is a required prerequisite for submitting a full SBIR Phase I proposal to the NSF.
Project Pitch Components
Your Project Pitch should include:
1. Technology Innovation (up to 3500 characters including spaces)
2. Technical Objectives and Challenges (up to 3500 characters including spaces)
3. Market Opportunity (up to 1750 characters including spaces)
4. Company and Team (up to 1750 characters including spaces)
A common question that we get: "I thought that the Project Pitch was limited by the number of words." This used to be true, but the NSF recently updated this requirement, so you must conform to the new requirement or you will not be able to submit your pitch.
Starting Your NSF SBIR Project Pitch
To begin the process of creating and submitting your Project Pitch, follow these steps:
1. Visit Scout Climate:
The first step is to create an account on Scout Climate (scoutclimate.com). We will automatically create your project pitch using our secure AI-enabled platform in minutes.
2. Create an Account:
- Go to scoutclimate.com
- Click on "Sign Up" or "Create Account"
- Follow the prompts to set up your account
3. Access the Project Pitch Form:
- Once logged in, navigate to "All Grants" => "NSF Project Pitch"
- In the top right corner, you can select "Write Grant"
- If you previously started a project pitch, you can return to your draft by navigating to "Grant Projects," clicking on the project name and then "Continue Submission."
4. Prepare Your Content:
Before filling out the form, prepare your content for each section. Remember to adhere to the word limits for each component.
5. Submit Your Pitch:
Once you've filled out all sections, review your submission carefully and submit through the Scout Climate platform.
Tips for a Strong Project Pitch
1. Be concise and clear: You have limited word count, so make every word count.
2. Focus on innovation: Clearly articulate what makes your technology innovative.
3. Highlight the market need: Demonstrate a clear understanding of your target market.
4. Showcase your team: Emphasize the strengths and relevant experience of your team.
5. Align with NSF objectives: Ensure your project aligns with NSF's mission and current focus areas.
Submission
To submit your pitch, you will need to visit the NSF website and copy/paste each section in manually. The NSF will not allow us to submit your pitch through Scout or any other site.
After submitting your Project Pitch:
- You should receive a response within three weeks
- If invited to submit a full proposal, you'll have up to one year to do so
- If not invited, you can resubmit a revised Project Pitch after a 30-day waiting period
Remember, an invitation to submit a full proposal does not guarantee an award. It's an indication that your project aligns with the NSF SBIR program's objectives and merits further consideration.
Next Steps
If your Project Pitch is approved, start preparing your full proposal right away. The full proposal is much more detailed and will require significant time and effort to complete. This can be unlock in Scout after you have created a project pitch. Just like that process, we will help you to create your first draft in minutes.
For more guidance on crafting a compelling Project Pitch or preparing your full NSF SBIR proposal, check out our other help center articles or consider seeking professional assistance.
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