New Center to Help Utah Small Businesses Win Federal R&D Grants

A new resource to help small businesses across the state win a larger share of federal research and development funding will be available in June, thanks to the efforts of USTAR, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Salt Lake Community College Miller Business Resource Center.

Despite substantial funding available, very few Utah small businesses are successfully pursuing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Science Technology Transfer and Research (STTR) funding from the U.S. federal government. With participation from 13 separate federal agencies, the SBIR program is the largest source of early-stage technology financing in the U.S., with $2 billion allocated for fiscal year 2008. Nonetheless, in 2004, Utah received only 0.53% of the total dollars awarded nationally for the SBIR program. Another $200 million is available through the related STTR program.

“The Governor’s Office of Economic Development works closely with both higher education and the private sector to develop both counseling and funding resources for business. This collaboration with USTAR should help Utah businesses to better navigate the sometimes challenging SBIR/STTR grant process to add another source for critical funding of their businesses,” Jason P. Perry, GOED executive director, said.

Based at the Salt Lake Community College Miller Business Resource Center in Sandy, the SBIR/STTR Assistance Center (SSAC) is expected to open in June.

“SBA serves as the coordinating agency for the SBIR program nationally. SBIR can provide a crucial stage of funding for small businesses in Utah. We are very excited about the creation of this center which will provide small businesses the ability to access the business and technical assistance needed to successfully qualify for SBIR assistance,” said Stan Nakano, SBA District Director.

A main goal of the center is to increase the number and quality of proposals submitted to the federal government. Additionally, training workshops will be offered at locations throughout the state to increase awareness of the SBIR/STTR programs and to improve the writing and grant preparation skills of businesses seeking funding.

“Establishing the center will create better access to funding opportunities for Utah small businesses,” Ted McAleer, USTAR Executive Director, said. “The center’s staff will provide the needed skills and experience to assist small businesses with finding appropriate SBIR/STTR opportunities and writing successful grants.”

The SBIR program funds early-stage research and development for small businesses. This funding is designed to help stimulate technological innovation and to increase small business participation in federally funded R&D. The STTR program is structured similarly to the SBIR program, but is also designed to facilitate collaboration between small businesses and research institutions (i.e., universities, federally-funded R&D centers, or nonprofit research institutions).

“By providing office space and other resources for the new center, the Salt Lake Community College is once again demonstrating that we’re a good partner with the business community,” Cynthia Bioteau, SLCC president, said.