When applying for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants, it's crucial to understand the criteria reviewers use to evaluate your proposal. This guide breaks down the key review criteria for SBIR/STTR applications and offers insights into what reviewers are looking for.
Overview of Review Criteria
While specific criteria may vary slightly between agencies, most SBIR/STTR programs use the following main criteria:
- Significance/Intellectual Merit
- Investigator(s)/Team
- Innovation
- Approach
- Environment/Resources
- Commercial Potential
Let's examine each of these in more detail.
1. Significance/Intellectual Merit
Reviewers assess the potential impact of your proposed project on the field. They want to see that your work will advance knowledge and understanding within your domain or across different fields.
Key questions reviewers ask:
- How important is the problem being addressed?
- If successful, how will the project advance scientific knowledge or technical capability?
- Does the proposal address an important gap in the field?
Tips:
- Clearly articulate the problem and its significance
- Explain how your work will fill an important knowledge or capability gap
- Describe potential broader impacts beyond your specific field
2. Investigator(s)/Team
This criterion evaluates the qualifications of the project team to carry out the proposed work.
Key questions:
- Does the PI have appropriate expertise and track record?
- Are the co-investigators and other key personnel well-suited to their roles?
- Is the team composition appropriate for the project goals?
Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and accomplishments of team members
- Explain how team members' skills complement each other
- For Phase II, consider adding team members with commercialization expertise
3. Innovation
Reviewers look for projects that are novel and creative in their approach.
Key questions:
- How innovative or original are the concepts, approaches, or methods?
- Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies?
- Is this a unique approach compared to current practice?
Tips:
- Clearly state what's novel about your approach
- Explain how your innovation improves upon existing solutions
- Highlight any preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of new concepts
4. Approach
This criterion assesses the strategy, methodology, and analyses used to accomplish project objectives.
Key questions:
- Is the overall strategy well-reasoned and appropriate?
- Are potential problems and alternative strategies considered?
- Is the approach feasible within the project timeline?
Tips:
- Provide a detailed, step-by-step research plan
- Include quantitative milestones and success metrics
- Address potential pitfalls and mitigation strategies
5. Environment/Resources
Reviewers evaluate whether you have access to the facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to complete the project successfully.
Key questions:
- Are the institutional support, equipment, and other resources available adequate?
- Will the environment contribute to probability of success?
- Are there unique features of the environment beneficial for the project?
Tips:
- Describe relevant facilities, equipment, and resources in detail
- Explain any institutional support or collaborations that strengthen the project
- For STTR, highlight the unique resources provided by the research institution partner
6. Commercial Potential
Especially important for Phase II proposals, this criterion assesses the potential for commercialization and real-world impact.
Key questions:
- Is there a clear market need for the proposed innovation?
- Is the commercialization plan realistic and well-developed?
- Does the team have the right expertise to bring the product to market?
Tips:
- Provide market analysis data to demonstrate demand
- Outline a clear path from R&D to commercialization
- For Phase II, include team members or advisors with business expertise
Additional Considerations
- Review criteria may be weighted differently depending on the agency and funding opportunity
- Some agencies may have additional review criteria specific to their mission
- For resubmissions, reviewers will also evaluate how well you've addressed previous critiques
By understanding these review criteria and tailoring your proposal accordingly, you can significantly improve your chances of securing SBIR/STTR funding. Remember to always carefully read the specific solicitation for any unique requirements or emphases for that particular funding opportunity.
For more guidance on crafting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal, check out our other resources or consider working with an experienced consultant.
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