Proposal Guidelines
There are no unified application guidelines or process. Each agency administers its own individual program. These agencies designate R&D topics in their solicitations and accept proposals from small businesses. Awards are made on a competitive basis after proposal evaluation.
Pre award / Post Award1. Follow sponsor guidelines for submission requirements.
2. Check with the small business regarding timeline for having approved documents.
3. Update your Conflict of Interest disclosure form if you have household family interest in the small business.
4. Contact the Office for Commercialization and Corporate Development (OCCD)
regarding the necessity for a Confidential Disclosure Agreement.
5. Request a Letter of Support or Allocation of Rights Agreement from OCCD to be included in the submission packet.
6. Submit the sub award proposal through Cayuse SP for approval.
7. In the Intellectual Property section of Cayuse SP identify the proposal as SBIR or STTR. / 1. Project is awarded by the federal sponsor to the company.
2. The company issues a subcontract to OSU for OSU’s portion of the work.
3. If the company doesn't have its own subcontract agreement template, OSP has such templates for SBIR and STTR sub agreements which contain IP and confidentiality language that is acceptable to OSU. If companies need one, they can request it from OSP office. The request should be sent to
4. OPAA sets up indexes, invoices the small business.
5. If a new IP is generated during the course of the subcontracted research at OSU then the faculty inventor should disclose the invention to OCCD.
6. OCCD assesses patentability/market and starts license negotiations with company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Printable handout
SBIR
The Small Business Innovation Research / STTR
Small Business Technology Transfer
A set aside program for small business to engage in Federal R&D-with potential for commercialization. / A set aside program to facilitate cooperative R&D between small business concerns and U.S. research institutions-with potential for commercialization.
Program eligibility criteria
· Organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States.
· At least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States.
· No more than 500 employees, including affiliates.
· PI’s primary employment must be with the small business at the time of the award through completion.
· A minimum of 66% of the research work must be performed by the SBC in Phase I, and 50% in Phase II.
· Partnership with a research institution is encouraged but not required. / Program eligibility criteria
· Organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States.
· At least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States.
· No more than 500 employees, including affiliates.
· The Principal Investigator does not have to be primarily employed by the SBC
· Formal cooperative research and development effort (minimum 40% by small business, 30% by US research institution)
· US research institution can be a College or university; Other non-profit research organization; Federal research and development center
· The SBC and partnering research institution are required to establish an intellectual property agreement detailing the allocation of intellectual property rights and rights to carry out follow up research, development or commercialization of activities.
Participating Agencies
3 Phase Details
2013 Notable Changes to Program