Participation Process

      Agency releases solicitation

      Small business determines agency and topic for submission

      Small business prepares proposal based on requirements

      Agency evaluates proposal

      Agency notifies small business of evaluation results

       If selected, the Grantee and the contract officer will negotiate the offer and the work begins

      If not selected, request a debriefing and determine if resubmission is appropriate

   Applicant Profile

The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements and must be committed to his/her R&D program based on a long term strategic plan.  The applicant also must be technically knowledgeable and have the desire of commercialize the product.  Finally, the applicant must be willing to devote 100 to 200 hours in preparing the proposal.

   Differences Between Agencies

The award amounts and project duration vary between agencies as well as the funding instruments and gaps.  Each agency responds different according to the subject of the project.  Some times the agency assists the entrepreneur in the commercialization stage.