Elevate Idaho helps early-stage Innovators compete for federal research and development funds through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs – America’s Seed Fund – and connect to resources they need to take their venture to the next level of success!
Elevate Idaho is a unique partnership that consists of a strong statewide network of professional regional, state, university and federal mentors with expertise in the SBIR/STTR Grant Programs. This unique partnership provides a one-stop solution for Idaho startups and emerging companies working on technology innovations with commercial value.
Elevate Idaho offers free consultations, training, and proposal assistance to help Idaho Companies succeed in winning SBIR and STTR Grants, which in turn creates a solid foundation to build a robust SBIR/STTR Program across Idaho.
Through Elevate Idaho, SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Centers were created across the state to provide virtual training and educational workshops, virtual one-on-one consulting, virtual writing assistance, virtual proposal reviews, virtual assistance with strategic commercialization planning, and real-time collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups and tech-based economic development partners across Idaho. The Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Centers also provides the means for collaboration opportunities that would not otherwise have taken place, and most important, strengthen Idaho’s regional and statewide entrepreneurial and research ecosystem.
The SBIR and STTR Programs are non-dilutive funds dedicated to the research and development of new technologies with commercial value. Non-dilutive funds are funds that do not require a business to give up equity or ownership of their company. Whether you are a beginner, or a novice in the grant research and grant writing process, the Elevate Idaho Team is here to assist you every step of the way!
For more information contact: Teresa McKnight, CEO of REDI.
Services
Elevate Idaho’s services provide Idaho’s technology-oriented companies a distinct advantage in today’s competitive environment. Services include:
- Mentorship – small technology companies receive mentorship with connections to business counseling, lab space, prototype creation, and other resources to build and grow their business.
- Direct Proposal Assistance – one-on-one proposal review for SBIR/STTR applicants.
- Training – based on particular opportunities and requirements of participating federal agencies, including research of topics, the application process, and best practices.
- Federal Program Officers – connections with federal program managers from SBIR/STTR federal agencies.
- Agency Training – based on particular nuances and requirements of participating agencies, including finding topics, the application process, and best practices to seek funding and awards.
- University and Idaho National Laboratory Technology Transfer – collaboration with Idaho's Universities and the Idaho National Laboratory Tech Deployment Office.
- Funding Network – small business connections to other sources of funding.
- Business and Industry – group collaboration to enhance opportunities and strengthen Idaho’s innovation ecosystem.
Elevate Idaho helps Idaho’s small technology businesses successfully win R&D funding and commercialize life-changing technologies that impact our state and global economy.
Workshops
Interested in learning more about the SBIR and STTR Programs? We encourage you to attend one of the following Elevate Idaho Workshops in 2024. For more information, contact Bam Omotowa to register for the monthly SBIR/STTR workshops or to be added to e-distribution list.
Upcoming Workshop:
March 19, 2025
12:00/noon to 1:00 p.m. (MST)
WORKSHOP CANCELLED - due to changes underway within federal agencies
| DATE | TIME | TOPICS | PRESENTER |
| 1/1/2025 |
Week 1 Workshop will not be held due to the New Year Holiday. Happy New Year! |
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| 1/8/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Managerial Team & SBIR" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 1/15/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | America's Seed Fund: How NIH can help fund your startup | Stephanie Fertig - NIH (National Institutes of Health) Small Business Program at the National Institutes of Health Director |
| 2/5/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | What is Innovation vs. Invention, basic Introduction to the purpose, eligibility requirements, structure of the SBIR and STTR programs and which one is right for me? | Matt Van Wagenen - APEX Accelerator State Program Director |
| 2/12/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Crafting a Winning Pitch Deck" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 2/19/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Small Business Entry Points to DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) | Jennifer Thabet - DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Small Business Programs Office Director |
| 3/5/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Introduction and Overview of SBIR/STTR Funding Agencies and structure of the solicitations. Matching Agency needs to your core competencies |
Bam Omotowa - APEX Sr. Business Consultant, Mary Thompson - Counselor with Idaho APEX Accelerator |
| 3/12/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "The Art of a 30-Second Elevator Pitch" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 3/19/2025 | WORKSHOP CANCELLED - due to changes underway within federal agencies | ||
| 4/2/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Preparing a responsive proposal - tips for preparing a responsive proposal to solicitation guidelines and developing your project pitch. | Dave Noack - SBDC Program Director, Teresa McKnight - REDI CEO |
| 4/9/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "What Problem Are You Trying to Address & What Opportunity is Associated w/Solving That Problem?" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 4/16/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | DOE SBIR/STTR Programs Office | Eileen Chant, PhD. - U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SBIR/STTR Programs Acting Director |
| 5/7/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Partnering with Idaho's Higher Education Institutions and Federal Partners to Strengthen your SBIR/STTR Proposal | Marty Blair - Idaho State University, Brett Adkins - Boise State University, Jason Stolworthy - Idaho National Lab |
| 5/14/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Competitive Analysis in the Startup World" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 5/21/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Innovation Project Manager - ERDCWERX, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center | Jason Courtney - ERDCWERX, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Project Manager |
| 6/4/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | SBIR Phase II & III - Commercialization | Dave Noack - SBDC Program Director, Bam Omotowa - APEX Sr. Business Consultant, Teresa McKnight - REDI CEO |
| 6/11/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "The Influence of Business Type on Pricing, Market Entry, and Investor/Customer Attraction" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 6/18/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | NIST SBIR Program Manager | Jacqueline Gray - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Manager of the Technology Partnerships Office (TPO) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) |
| 7/2/2025 | NO WORKSHOP SCHEDULED - Due to Fourth of July Holiday | ||
| 7/9/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Market Segmentation" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 7/16/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | DoD, Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) SBIR/STTR Program Manager | Regina Sims - Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer for the Department of Defense |
| 8/6/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Idaho SBIR/STTR Success Stories Spotlight | |
| 8/13/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Financial Projections" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - ISU College of Business |
| 8/20/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Army Applied SBIR Program Office - DoD - Army | TBA |
| 9/3/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | What is Intellectual Property & the Importance of Protecting Your IP | Bradley Frazier - Partner with Hawley Troxell and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property & Internet practice group |
| 9/10/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Validation of Your Market Offering & Customer Base" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 9/17/2025 | In-Person Event at Idaho State University | ||
| 10/1/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | How to Explore Federal Agencies are Interested In and Get to the "Why" the Agencies Would Consider Funding My Idea/Technology | Dave Noack - SBDC Program Director |
| 10/8/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Brand Development & Marketing Plan" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - ISU College of Business |
| 10/15/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | U.S. Department of Agriculture SBIR/STTR Program Manager | TBA |
| 11/5/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Stay On top of Approaching Deadlines | Matt Van Wagenen - APEX Accelerator State Program Director, Dave Noack - SBDC Program Director, Bam Omotowa - APEX Sr. Business Consultant, Teresa McKnight - REDI CEO |
| 11/12/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "SBA Government Contracting in Combination with SBIR" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 11/19/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Department of Health and Human Services SBIR/STTR Program Manager | TBA |
| 12/3/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | Building Out a Commercialization Team and Seeking Other Types of Funding Opps |
Scott Brosky - Co-Founder/COO ASC Biosciences Entrepreneur-in-Residence |
| 12/10/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) |
MASTER CLASS - "Are Incubators and/or Accelerators a Fit For Your Startup Firm?" NOTE: Attendance is by special invitation only for Idaho entrepreneurs who have, or are in the process, of submitting a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR Grant proposal. |
Neil Tocher - Idaho State University College of Business |
| 12/17/2025 | 12:00 p.m. (MST) | DoD Space Development Agency Program Management Office | TBA - DoD (Department of Defense) - Space Development Agency |
*For more information about each workshop, click the title of the workshop to open a link the flyer.
Idaho's Success Stories
Information Forthcoming
WHAT ARE THE SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS?
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grants fund small businesses research and development (R&D) projects. Every year, the federal government sets aside $4 billion to help small businesses minimize risk so innovative technology moves to commercialization.
There are eleven federal agencies that participate under the SBIR program, five of which also participate in the STTR program. Both programs are congressionally mandated programs. These non-equity dollars are set aside to assist in moving forward a company’s research and development efforts. Because they are non-dilutive federal dollars, there is no loss of equity or ownership, and no payback of funds required.
HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE AND WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR?
There is approximately $3.6 billion dollars available under eleven federal agencies to fund small business research and development through the SBIR and STTR programs. These dollars are offered in competitive phases:
- Phase I typically offers $150,000 to $225,000 for a six-month project to prove the feasibility and technical merit of your idea or technology.
- Phase II typically offers $1 million to $1.5 million for a 24-month project and is meant to expand the Phase I results and evaluate commercial potential.
- Phase III takes place as the technology moves from the laboratory to the marketplace. While SBIR and STTR funds do not support this phase, some agencies offer sole-source contracts or follow-on non-SBIR funded research and development to help small businesses commercialize a product.
SBIR/STTR funds can be used for:
- Salaries and fringe benefits
- Overhead costs
- Materials and Supplies
- Consultants
- Subcontractors
SBIR/STTR funds cannot be used for:
- Attorney fees and Patent Costs
- Marketing
- Brick and mortar
- Setting up a lab
However, a reasonable fee or profit of up to 7% can be included in the budget. These funds can be used at the discretion of the small business in any category.
WHO IS ELEIGIBLE FOR SBIR AND STTR FUNDING?
All companies that possess an Idaho business license and are eligible for the federal SBIR/STTR program. Individuals can contact the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team to learn more.
The company must meet the following federal requirements:
- For-profit company
- American-owned
- At least 51% owned by individual(s)
- Have 500 or fewer employees (determined by NAICS code)
HOW DO I APPLY FOR SBIR AND STTR FUNDING?
To apply for SBIR or STTR funding, you may:
- Contact the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team. The Team will get acquainted with your company and your project. They will help assess your technology and provide feedback in regard to how well you fit within the SBIR/STTR programs and identify any gaps found during the assessment.
- We encourage interested companies to begin the process early to register their business through the federal registration process. Please contact the Idaho APEX Office to assist you with registration.
- In addition, we encourage you to search for an agency and topic that meets the needs of your technology and aligns with your business strategy. If you are not sure, one of the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team members can help you with this process.
- It is important, once you identify the agency and topic, you read through the solicitation process and begin drafting an outline of your plan for your Phase I.
- At any time, you can contact the representative of the selected federal agency and solicit a topic by email to request a meeting by phone to discuss your plan.
- After you meet with the representative of the selected federal agency, and you decide you want to pursue a SBIR or STTR grant, you will work with the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team to draft your proposal.
- We encourage you to work with the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team to assure your proposal is strong, your budgets complete, and any additional required documents have been completed.
- Once the above is completed, you can begin to finalize all documents and organize the documents in a packet for submission.
The information outlined is a brief overview to guide you through the process. Please do not hesitate to contact the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team if you have questions or require assistance. Additionally, we encourage you to participate in our Workshop sessions to learn more about the program, the process, and the tools to develop and move your application forward.
WHAT SERVICES DOES THE IDAHO SBIR/STTR VIRTUAL INNOVATION CENTER OFFER?
We offer a full range of services to small businesses interested in SBIR and STTR funding. Services include:
- Consultations
- Training through Workshops
- Proposal guidance and evaluation
- Grant Writing Assistance Services (provided by the Idaho State University Commercialization Center)
- Review and editing
- Submission assistance
IS THERE A COST ASSOCIATED FOR THESE SERVICES?
- There is no cost for the services outlined.
- If you participate in the SBIR/STTR Road Tour, there may be a nominal cost for additional workshops and seminars for this once-a-year opportunity.
WHAT IS THE SBIR ROAD TOUR AND WHEN IS IT HELD?
The SBIR Road Tour is a national outreach effort connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies directly to Federal agencies and the resources they have to support technology commercialization. Since its inception in 2015, the SBIR Road Tour has visited every state and Puerto Rico. These stops have brought together local innovation ecosystems around the country and connected entrepreneurs to additional resources to help their small businesses start and grow.
In the past, the yearly SBIR Road Tour has been held in Idaho Falls and Boise. Due to COVID, the 2020 Road Tour was held virtually. The 2021 Road Tour will be a national virtual tour. For more information on the Idaho SBIR Road Tour, please click on the following link: SBIR Road Tour – Seeding America's Future Innovations.
WHAT FEDERAL AGENCIES PARTICIPATE?
Agencies are mandated by Congress to participate in the SBIR program when their extramural research budget is greater than $100 million and under the STTR program when it is over $1 billion. Currently, 11 agencies participate in the SBIR program, of which, five also participate in the STTR program. A list of Agencies can be found by clicking the following link - SBIR-STTR Agency Contacts. You will also find a list below:
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology/NIST)
- Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/NOAA)
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Department of Education (DoED)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
For links and guidance on SBIR and STTR funding you can go to: SBIR.gov or any of the individual agencies listed above. There are more than 7,000 possibilities or combinations for federal funding under the SBIR/STTR programs.
You can also search for open topics at: Open Topic Search
WHAT DOES A COMPANY APPLYING FOR SBIR/STTR FUNDING GIVE UP?
Nothing! There is no loss of technology ownership, no loss of intellectual property, and no payback of funds. There is a clause in the award language, however, authorizing the federal government to license the technology in a national emergency. Which has rarely ever happened.
The Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center offers the following:
- Free monthly SBIR/STTR workshops on the second Wednesday of each month. Monthly workshops are scheduled at 12:00/noon. Pre-registration is required. It’s a great first step to learn more about the SBIR/STTR programs and meet our team members.
- Call or email the Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Team to schedule a free consultation.
Current and Future Solicitations
Stay updated on current and future solicitation openings.
View links to each of the SBIR/STTR participating agencies.
*Please check each Federal agencies webpage for additional funding solutions.
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Department of Defense, Army, DLA, DMEA, and DARPA | SBIR 2025.4 Opportunities Now Open These programs are Congressionally-mandated set-asides to encourage domestic small businesses’ engagement in research and development, scientific excellence, and technological innovation through federal research fund investment in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy and accelerate Warfighter capabilities. FY 2025 DoD SBIR/STTR Solicitation Schedule/Dates here. The Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program’s objectives include stimulating technological innovation, strengthening the role of small business to meet DoD research and development (R&D) needs, fostering and encouraging minority and disadvantaged persons’ participation in technological innovation, and increasing the commercial application of DoD-supported research or R&D results. FY 2025 DoD SBIR/STTR Solicitation Schedule/Dates here. U.S. Department of Energy Notice of Funding Opportunity: SBIR/STTR FY 2025 Phase I Release 2 SBIR/STTR Phase I awards are up to $200,000 for six months to one year. Details on the topics for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Phase I release of the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) are below. Topics open to both SBIR and STTR applications:
Topic open to only STTR applications:
Topics Issued: November 12, 2024 Phase 2 Topics Released: November 12, 2024FOA Released: December 16, 2024Letter of Intent Due: January 7, 2025, 5 pm ETNon-responsive LOI Feedback Provided: January 27, 2025Full Application Due: February 26, 2025, 11:59 PM ETAward Notification: May 27,2025 Projected Grant Start Date: July 8,2025 |
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For more upcoming Funding Opportunities, visit this page. |
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- DOE’s Phase I Release 1 Topics were issued on July 8th. There’s also Phase 0 application assistance available for first-time applicants.
- DOE SBIR Partnering Platform – The DOE’s SBIR Partnering Platform is for connecting innovators with potential partners. Additionally, DOE is hosting quarterly commercialization workshops. Please visit this link to learn more about all of the DOE SBIR/STTR opportunities, as well as the virtual quarterly commercialization workshops.
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- DARPA launched DARPAConnect to broaden DARPA’s reach with small businesses and educational institutions. DARPAConnect breaks down barriers to entry for performers new to DARPA through national and local events, networking opportunities, and a robust online curriculum.
- U.S. Army SBIR released two open-topic contract opportunities prioritizing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and clean technology solutions.
- Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
- The BARDA Accelerator Network Therapeutics/Vaccines Hub – VITAL has funding opportunities for acceleration and funding of health security innovations. Awards range from $50K-$200K and can be used to demonstrate proof of concept for BARDA-relevant use of an existing platform technology or high-risk breakthrough technology or platform, or to advance technologies currently in development.
- The BARDA Accelerator Network I-CREATE Hub, focused on diagnostics and medical devices, is now officially accepting applications for non-dilutive funding for projects ranging from $50K-$200K.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- EPA released its solicitation/broad agency announcement and proposed topics include Clean and Safe Water, Air Quality and Climate, Homeland Security, Circular Economy/Sustainable Materials, and Safer Chemicals.
- GPS-denied Android Team Awareness Kit Compatible Self-Location Applications;
- Stabilized Weapon and Reconnaissance Mount Tracker – Counter – Unmanned Warning Systems;
- Psychological Operations Product Air Delivery Vehicles;
- Non-attributable Mobile Mesh Network Radios; and
- Distributed Electromagnetic Sensing, Automated Characterization and Simple Reporting Systems
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For more upcoming Funding Opportunities, visit this page. |
Additional Resources
- About the SBIR/STTR Programs - https://www.sbir.gov/about
- Getting started – https://www.sbir.gov/applicant
- Federal Agency Representatives – https://www.sbir.gov/agency-representative
- SBIR/STTR Topic Areas – https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/topic/current
- SBIR/STTR Solicitations – https://www.sbir.gov/solicitations
- SBIR Announcements – https://www.sbir.gov/announcements
- SBIR Resources – https://www.sbir.gov/resources
- Air Force SBIR/STTR Resources – https://www.afsbirsttr.af.mil
- Patent process overview - www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/patent-process-overview#step1
- SBIR Self-Assessment - Self Assessment PDF
Contact Us
The Elevate Idaho SBIR/STTR Virtual Innovation Center Satellite Offices are strategically located across the State of Idaho. Partners include:
- Boise State University Technology Transfer Office – Brett Adkins
- Hawley Troxell - Brad Frazer
- Idaho Commerce – Tracy Day
- Idaho National Laboratory Tech Deployment Office – Jason Stolworthy
- Idaho State University Office for Research – Marty Blair or Steve Wright
- University of Idaho Technology Transfer Office - Arch Harner
