FAST Center at Illinois: SBIR Resources

FAST Center at Illinois: SBIR Resources 3 FAST Center at Illinois: SBIR Resources

FAST (Federal and State Technology) Partnership Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Securing federal grant funding for your innovative idea or technology is a critical step toward commercial success. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, often referred to as “America’s Seed Fund,” are an excellent source of undiluted funding, but are highly competitive.

The FAST Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is led by EnterpriseWorks and provides free resources, support, and expertise necessary to submit a highly competitive proposal to help startups and companies bridge the gap between research and commercialization. We have helped companies acquire millions of dollars in federal SBIR/STTR funding – at no cost whatsoever to them.

BREAKING NEWS: State of Illinois rolls out SBIR/STTR matching program in November 2022. More here. 

Why the Illinois FAST Center is at EnterpriseWorks

Up to 25% of all State of Illinois SBIR/STTR funding is awarded annually to the companies or graduates of EnterpriseWorks in Research Park.

These programs award $2 billion dollars annually to qualified small businesses across the nation for innovative projects that meet specific federal needs. Entrepreneurs receive anywhere from $150,000 to $1 million in capital. Awards are based on small business qualifications, degree of innovation, technical merit and future market potential.

FAST Center at Illinois Resources

Office Hours

Office hours are available by appointment to Illinois-based teams seeking quick answers about SBIR/STTR funding, how the program works, team eligibility to apply, how funds can be used, etc. We recommend that SBIR/STTR newcomers review the Illinois FAST Center SBIR/STTR FAQ document prior to scheduling office hours.

 

Illinois FAST Center SBIR/STTR FAQs

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    • Comprehensive and searchable PDF
    • Clickable table of contents jumps right to the answer you seek
    • Includes links to freely accessible and valuable tools and resources

 

One-on-One Technical Assistance

Entrepreneurs, researchers, and inventors throughout the State of Illinois can apply for one-on-one technical assistance. This includes assistance with more complex SBIR/STTR questions such as insight, guidance, or strategy for selecting an agency or solicitation, review and feedback of proposal drafts, and help with proposal budgets and application process. A limited number of hours are available for per business, per proposal for 1:1 technical assistance and are subject to availability of program funding.

 

FREE SBIR/STTR Training Events

Through the FAST Partnership Program, we offer monthly webinars that focus on introductory topics (SBIR 101) and explore opportunities related to specific agencies that participate in the SBIR program. We also offer webinars and workshops that provide a deeper dive on agency SBIR/STTR programs or processes, successful award management, Phase II topics, and updates, priorities, or changes at the federal or state level for SBIR/STTR stakeholders. We collaborate with Illinois ecosystem peers to produce and deliver a four-week series of intensive training workshops designed to help qualified teams to prepare successful SBIR/STTR grant applications for submission.

 

 

 

Upcoming Training and Networking Events

We post our upcoming events on the FAST Center of Illinois calendar. We also recommend checking the IUIN Ecosystem Events calendar for opportunities of interest to those who are pursuing SBIR/STTR funding. Want to receive notices about upcoming events? Click the SUBSCRIBE button below.

 

VISIT FAST CENTER CALENDAR       VISIT IUIN CALENDAR

 

SUBSCRIBE TO FAST CENTER COMMS

For more information or questions, please contact [email protected].

Examples of Previous IL FAST Center Communication

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More Resources

Sample SBIR Application – Digital Medicine

Sample SBIR Application – Portable Testing Device

Sample SBIR Application – Therapeutics

America’s Seed Fund

Illinois Small Business Assistance

SIU Carbondale SBIR Catalyst Program

Tutorials

SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance

This program encourages entrepreneurs to apply for federal grants.

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