NM FAST, the New Mexico-based Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) assistance program offered through New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, will host a five-week virtual SBIR Accelerator (ASCA), offering participants an introduction to the SBIR/STTR programs and how to develop a strong proposal package.
NM FAST’s ACSA is designed to aid first-time applicants of SBIR/STTR grants specifically. The program offers participants an introduction to how the different programs and agencies work through weekly virtual meetings. Each meeting provides targeted support on different aspects of the programs, including how they function, which agencies participate, tips on how to prepare a strong proposal package, and how to get started.
“Our ACSA is an ideal opportunity for innovators to determine if the SBIR/STTR programs are a good fit,” said Dana Catron, deputy director of Arrowhead Center and SBIR program director. “For a first-time applicant, it will take roughly 100-120 hours to put together a strong proposal package, which equates to a significant time investment for a startup. ACSA helps validate that the time spent could lead to future SBIR/STTR awards.”
The five-week course will be run as a “SBIR 101” crash course for small businesses new to the SBIR/STTR programs. For this ACSA, participants will be provided with general knowledge for addressing needs, writing technically and determining cost drivers. Participants can expect to reach a go or no-go decision on whether to apply to the program, and which agency is the best fit. ACSA participants will also receive access to a suite of SBIR/STTR tools and resources and are encouraged to have weekly one-on-one sessions with the NM FAST team.
The program will run from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31, and NM FAST is accepting applications until July 25. To be eligible for this ACSA, applicants must be a small business (less than 500 employees) located in New Mexico.
Before the application deadline for the ACSA, NM FAST will host a webinar from noon to 1 p.m. MDT July 20 as a brief introduction to the SBIR/STTR programs and the services provided by NM FAST. To learn more about this virtual event and to register, visit https://bit.ly/SBIR101July.
For more information on the ACSA and to apply, visit https://bit.ly/SBIR101ACSA.