October 8, 2008

NIH has announced a change in the policy on resubmission (amended) applications that applies to all applications including SBIR and STTR. Beginning with those submitted for the January 25, 2009 due date and beyond, all original new applications (i.e., never submitted) and competing renewal applications will be permitted only a single amendment (A1). Failure to receive funding after two submissions (i.e., the original and the single amendment) will mean that the applicant should substantially re-design the project rather than simply change the application in response to previous reviews. Details are included in Guide Notice NOT-OD-09-003.

September 16, 2008

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has informed agencies of recent legislative developments affecting the authorization of the SBIR Program, originally set to expire September 30, 2008. SBA has determined that P.L. 110-235 (signed into law on May 25, 2008), temporarily extends through March 20, 2009, all programs authorized under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. SBA’s Acting General Counsel has provided official notification (PDF - 360 KB) to agencies that this extension includes the SBIR program. Therefore, agencies’ responsibilities for the SBIR Program will continue uninterrupted until March 20, 2009. (Note: The STTR Program is reauthorized through September 30, 2009.).

September 5, 2008

NIH announces the availability of a Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) for its SBIR Phase II awardees from the past five years. Now in its fifth year, this program is designed to help some of the nation's most promising life science small companies develop their commercial businesses and transition their SBIR-developed products into the marketplace. New this year is two distinctive tracks that offer customized assistance for both early stage and seasoned companies: Commercialization Training Track and Accelerator Commercialization Track. For details, check the NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-08-113 and also review the full program description at http://nihcap.larta.org/about/ProgramDescription.aspx.

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