FAST SEED FUNDING INITIATIVE- Phase 0 Funding Program
The Center for Innovation and Technology (CiT), a Specialized Service Center of the Puerto Rico Small Business and Technology Development (PR-SBTDC), announces the implementation of the SBIR/STTR Phase Zero (Phase 0 hereafter), a grant program available to small businesses, university-affiliated small businesses and university faculty entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico.
The goal of the Phase 0 program is to help Puerto Rico’s new and existing small businesses to increase their participation and compete more effectively in the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Specifically, the Phase 0 program seeks to provide small businesses in Puerto Rico with seed funding to foster SBIR and STTR proposal submissions with the objective of increasing:
- The participation and quality of proposals submitted to the SBIR and STTR competition;
- The amount of research dollars invested in Puerto Rico’s private sector; and
- The number of small businesses that will develop innovative technology products or services that display a significant competitive advantage and will satisfactorily meet the federal agency's research and development (R&D) needs.
Program Management and Key Collaborators
The Phase 0 program is administered by Inter American University of Puerto Rico, which is the host entity of the CiT/PR-SBTDC, and is funded by the US Small Business Administration, the Puerto Rico Trust for Science, Research and Technology and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company.
Phase 0 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for Phase 0 funds is limited to Puerto Rico-based small businesses that meet the eligibility requirement of the SBIR/STTR program. The program encourages proposals from qualified scientists, engineers and educators and entrepreneurs, as well as, the participation of the tech-based women-owned, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and small firms located in the Island. Prior to requesting Phase 0 support, the small business is highly encouraged to:
- Have a client/counselor relationship with a CiT/PR-SBTDC Consultant for assistance with the process of proposal submission. If you are not a client of the CiT/PR-SBTDC, contact us at 787-763-6811 to coordinate an initial meeting.
- Have already identified a specific SBIR/STTR solicitation and research topics to which to apply, and;
- Have documented the results of a preliminary contact with the corresponding program manager to gauge the agency’s interest in the proposed project.
Phase 0 Award Amounts
The program seeks to provide a total of 15 to 20 Phase 0 grants, in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. Eligible applicants can request up to $5,000 to defray reasonable costs incurred in developing a SBIR or STTR proposal. Companies will be limited to receive a maximum of $6,000 of Phase-0 funds within a 12-month period regardless of the number of Phase 0 proposals submitted. Phase-0 awards will be cost-reimbursable after the receipt of the following documents:
- Proof of successful Phase I proposal submission;
- Copy of the SBIR/STTR Phase I final proposal,
- Signing of a contract agreement between the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and the Phase 0 applicant;
- Invoice with supporting documentation of expenses incurred.
Duration of Phase 0 Program
For SBIR/STTR Phase I solicitations due dates per agency visit: http://www.sbir.gov/solicitations/.
Funding Uses and Restrictions
Funds can be used for costs incurred in the following:
- Proposal preparation and review
- Consultant and mentor services for preparation of the Phase I proposal
- Registration and travel to attend SBIR conferences;
- Domestic travel to meet Program Managers at targeted federal agencies;
- Analyses to support test data preparation;
- Acquisition of test data for inclusion in the Phase I proposal
Refer to SOLICITATION FOR PHASE 0 PROPOSALS for further information and restrictions.
Additional Information and Phase 0 Proposal Template
For additional information about the Phase 0 program requirements, applicants are required to read and understand the SOLICITATION FOR PHASE 0 PROPOSALS (click: Solicitation No. SBIR-P0-10). To apply for Phase 0 funds, applicants are required to submit the application by filling out the Phase 0 Application Template. The Phase 0 application must be received at least 60 days prior to Phase I due date, but applicants are encouraged to submit their Phase 0 applications earlier.
Contact:
For clarifications on the above program, please direct your inquiries to:
Mrs. Carmen Marti
Executive Director PR-SBTDC
E-mail: phasezero@prsbtdc.org
Website: http://www. prsbtdc.org/ifs.html
