Post on 17-Dec-2015
SBIR
Features of USDA SBIR Program
• Award Grants Only
• Awards Based on Scientific and Technical Merit
• Ideas are Investigator-Initiated
• Proposals Reviewed by Confidential Peer Review Using Outside Experts From Non-profit Organizations
• Funds Allocated to Topic Areas in Proportion to Number of Proposals Received
SBIR
Features of USDA SBIR Program
• Phase I Grants = 8 Months/$80,000
• Phase II Grants = 2 Years/$300,000
• 12 Month No-cost Extension Available
• All Applicants Receive Verbatim Copies of Reviews
SBIR
Topic Areas
• Forests & Related Resources
• Plant Production & Protection
• Animal Production & Protection
• Air, Water & Soils
• Food Science & Nutrition
• Rural & Community Development
• Aquaculture
• Industrial Applications
• Marketing & Trade
• Wildlife
• Animal Waste Management
SBIR
Forests and Related ResourcesFocus is on the development of innovative products,
processes, or services that facilitate the forest resource community’s ability to serve the needs of
consumers, industry, and the environment.
• Forest Biology, Biotechnology, and Biometrics
• Pulp and Paper Technology
• New Products and Uses for Wood
• Wildfire Prevention and Control
SBIR
Plant Production and Protection – Biology
Focus is on the development of innovative products, processes, or services that enhance agronomic and horticultural crop genetic improvement and health.
• Improved crop quality and yield
• Development of new crops
• Crop protection from insects, disease and abiotic stress
Plant Biotechnology:
• Molecular biology
• Genomics
• Cell and tissue biology
SBIR
Innovation:
Developed a naturally occurring soil microorganism (Bacillus subtilis QST713) into an efficacious, safe fungicide for use in fruit, nut, vine and vegetable crops.
Serenade® is the first broad-spectrum foliar biofungicide that provides growers with effective, safe alternatives to synthetic fungicides.
Success Stories: AgraQuest, Inc.www.agraquest.com
SBIR
Commercialization:
Serenade Biofungicide® was registered by the US EPA in 2000. It is registered for use on 139 crops and over 50 diseases. It is now sold in 15 countries.
Serenade was used on 78.2% of Florida tomato acres, 15.1% of California premium wine grape acres and 17.4% of California lettuce acres in 2003.
Success Stories: AgraQuest, Inc.www.agraquest.com
SBIR
Success Stories: AgraQuest, Inc.www.agraquest.com
SBIR
With SBIR assistance AgraQuest, Inc. is also developing:
Continued Success:
A biofumigant from a naturally occurring fungus, Muscodor albus extremely effective in killing diseases that cause rotting in fruits and vegetables.
Virtuoso™, a Streptomyces-based bioinsecticide that is expected to complete final USEPA submission in August, 2005.
Success Stories: AgraQuest, Inc.www.agraquest.com
SBIR
Success Stories: AVACHEM Joint Venture
Innovation:
Developed a new class of pesticides that:
Are less toxic than conventional pesticides
Degrade rapidly
Do not harm wildlife or other non-target organisms
Are able to effectively control Varroa mites on Honey Bees
SBIR
Plant Production and Protection – Engineering
Focus is on the development of innovative products, processes, or services that enhance agronomic and
horticultural crop production and environmental protection.
• Improved greenhouse equipment
• Improved crop planting, growing, and harvesting equipment
• Precision farming technology
• Remote-sensing for crop monitoring
SBIR
Success Stories: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.www.capstanag.com
Innovation:
Proof that highly accurate metering of agricultural liquids through pulsing solenoid valves is feasible, economic, and desirable for users.
SBIR
Success Stories: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.www.capstanag.com
Impact:
Over 20 million acres are being sprayed annually using with Capstan designed systems.
These systems are superior in: Suppressing exposure to pesticide drift
Aligning application rates with variable needs within fields
Economizing material
Lessening the probability of excess nitrogen moving into the water table
SBIR
Animal Production and Protection
Focus on the development of innovative technology that enhances the reliable production of food animals and safe animal products, while conserving resources and reducing
costs of production.
• Animal reproduction• Animal genetics and breeding• Animal nutrition
Animal protection including:
• Diagnostics
• Therapies
• Immunization
• Pest controls
• Prevention
• Health cost assessment
SBIR
Air, Water, and SoilsFocus is on the development of innovative technology for conserving and protecting air,
water, and soil resources, while sustaining agricultural productivity.
• Reduction of losses of soil and soil nutrients • Enhancing soil properties with minimal impact• Decrease air and water pollution from agricultural activity• Water conservation and quality preservation• Improved irrigation for agriculture and forestry• Remote-sensing and information technology
SBIR
Food Science and Nutrition
Focus is on the development of innovative products, processes and services that facilitate the ability of the
food manufacturing community to provide a safe, secure, and nutritious food supply.
• New food products and manufacturing processes
• Quality control technology• Economics and statistics• Nutrition education• Packaging
Food safety:• Microbiology• Toxicology• Diagnostics• Preservation
SBIR
Rural and Community Development
Focus is on the innovative application of technology to address problems and opportunities
that exist in rural areas.
• New agricultural enterprises
• Transportation
• Education
• Health care
• Information services
• Telecommunications
SBIR Eureka’s Freedom Tent
Success Stories: Blue Sky Designswww.blueskydesigns.us
Innovation:
Developed accessible tent designs and technologies to improve access to camping for people with disabilities and aging baby boomers.
SBIR
Success Stories: Blue Sky Designswww.blueskydesigns.us
A licensing agreement was reached with Eureka! for the Combination Tent/Vestibule and one of the door designs.
Eureka’s Freedom tent called “top product of the show” by the Salt Lake Tribune at the 2004 Outdoor Retailer Show. Three or more additional designs (not targeted to people with disabilities) will come to market in 2006.
Commercialization:
SBIR
Aquaculture
Focus is on the development of innovative products, processes, and services that facilitate the growth and sustainability of the domestic aquaculture industry.
• New aquaculture products
• Enhanced reproductive efficiency
• Genetic improvement, including biotechnology
• Integrated aquatic animal health management
• Improved production systems and management strategies
SBIR
Industrial Applications
Focus is on the development of technology that facilitates the production of industrial products from agricultural materials.
•Enhanced production technology•Improved quality control
New products including: • Oils and lubricants
• Biofuels
• Agricultural fiber-based products
• Starch-based products
SBIR
Success Stories: Resodyn Corporationwww.resodyn.com
Innovation:
Developed a unique process for the conversion of low value feedstock to biodiesel which can be produced at costs competitive to traditional diesel fuel
SBIR
Impact:
Success Stories: Resodyn Corporationwww.resodyn.com
Pilot plant for biodiesel production
Consistent production of both high quality biodiesel and a glycerin by-product
Lowest production costs in the industry
Competitively price capital investments
Elimination of waste water discharge
Complete solvent recovery
SBIR
Marketing and Trade
Focus is on the identification of marketing strategies to increase sales of agricultural, forestry, and aquacultural products, both
domestically and abroad.
• Development of marketing systems
• Development of innovative real-time/near real-time information systems
• Assessments and specification of marketing opportunities
• Design or establishment of market-based mechanisms for enhanced environmental benefits
SBIR
Success Stories: Rainbow Organic Farms Company
“SBIR provided the necessary funding to create a new economic future for our local small family farms”. -- Diana Endicott
SBIR
Success Stories: Rainbow Organic Farms Company
Innovation:
Developed the first USDA ISO 9000 based Quality System Verification Program (QSVP) for Good Natured Family Farms (GNFF) all-natural beef and free-range poultry raised on local small family farms.
QSVP model provides comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOPs) for identification, traceability and label claim verification for production, processing, and retail sales.
SBIR
Impact:
Success Stories: Rainbow Organic Farms Company
Pilot plant for biodiesel production
Developed and trademarked ‘Good Natured Family Farms’ all-natural branded food product line and achieved wholesale gross sales in 2004 of 2.5 million dollars.
The 40 Good Natured Family Farms Alliance members farm over 16,000 acres of farmland.
Recognized for two major awards
including: Kansas City BTG Environmental Excellence Award and the National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fames’ Farmers Honor Acre Award.
SBIR
WildlifeFocus is on the development of technology for
environmentally sound improvements in wildlife management to reduce adverse impacts of wildlife on agriculture and people
and to enhance the sustainability of wildlife populations.
• Impact of wildlife on agriculture
• Influence of agriculture on wildlife
• Wildlife control, management, reproduction and health
• Habitat management and restoration
SBIR
Animal Waste Management
Focus is on the development of technology and environmentally sound approaches for improved
management of animal waste.
• Systems for handling animal waste
• Solid and liquid waste
• Air pollution monitoring and abatement
• Water resource monitoring and protection
• Value-added products
SBIR
Technology Areas Supported by USDA/SBIR Program
• Information Technology• Robotics• Electronics• Biotechnology• Nanotechnology• Microelectro Mechanical
Systems (MEMS)• Acoustics• Remote Sensing
• Genetic Engineering• Material/Coatings• Food Safety• Biofuels• Machine Vision• Precision Agriculture• Engineering• Physics • Chemistry
SBIR
Priority Research AreasEncourage proposals addressing:
Anti-bioterrorism• Food Supply• Crops and Forests• Livestock, Aquaculture, Wildlife
Rural Homeland Security• (e.g. emergency communications, water supplies,
emergency response,
Agriculturally-Related Manufacturing Technology
SBIR
Agriculturally-related Manufacturing Technology
Proposals that focus on innovative new technologies that will improve
agriculturally-related manufacturing efficiency are encouraged
SBIR
University Involvement in USDA SBIR
• Strongly encouraged
• University faculty may serve as consultants or receive a subcontract (both limited to no more than 1/3 of Phase I award or 1/2 of Phase II award) and continue to work full time at university
• University faculty may serve as principal investigator on the grant, by reducing university employment to 49% for duration of grant and if the SBIR research is performed someplace other than their research lab
• It is usually not acceptable for university faculty to serve as consultants and have all the research done in their lab
SBIR
History of USDA SBIR FundingYear Budget MM Phase I Phase II
1998 11.70 77/420 37/58
1999 13.30 84/425 32/56
2000 15.56 89/480 36/59
2001 16.25 90/480 37/63
2002 15.70 86/449 39/68
2003 17.74 88/656 38/67
2004 18.18 99/580 38/64
2005 19.40 93/557 ~40/79
SBIR
Phase I: Vision and Focus!• Present a vision of where you want to be at the end of
Phase II.
• Phase I focus should be on the critical enabling factor(s) that will allow the project to proceed.
• If….Then: If we can demonstrate feasibility of this factor(s), then we will have the confidence and USDA will have the confidence to proceed into Phase II.
SBIR
USDA SBIR Review Process for Phase I
• There is a different review panel for each topic area
• An outstanding research scientist is selected as topic manager for each review panel
• Proposals undergo initial screening and then are assigned to the appropriate topic area
SBIR
• Each proposal is sent to 4 ad-hoc reviewers who mail in written reviews
• Each proposal is reviewed by two-three members of the review panel
• Based on both the panel and ad-hoc reviews and the panel discussion, each proposal is ranked, and the top ranked ones are recommended for an award
USDA SBIR Review Process for Phase I (cont.)
SBIR
• The SBIR program follows the panel recommendations closely and allocates funds to each topic area in proportion to the number of proposals submitted
• Proposals recommended for funding undergo an administrative review prior to the grant being awarded
• A panel summary plus verbatim copies of the reviews, minus the score and name of the reviewer, are sent to the project director for all proposals, funded or not
USDA SBIR Review Process for Phase I (cont.)
SBIR
Solicitation/Proposal Schedule:FY 2005/2006
• FY 2006 Solicitation will be Released 6/1/05
• Phase I Proposal Deadline Date will be 9/1/05
• Panels Meet in January & February of 2006
• Award Decisions Made by 3/1/06
• Phase I Grant Period will be from 5/15/06 to 12/31/06
• FY 2006 Phase II Deadline Date will be 2/2/06
SBIR
U.S. Department of AgricultureSmall Business Innovation Research Program
Waterfront Centre, Suite 2312
800 9th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 401-4002 Fax: (202) 401-6070
E-mail: sbir@csrees.usda.gov
Web Site: www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/sbir
SBIR
USDA SBIR HOMEPAGEwww.csrees.usda.gov/fo/sbir
• Program Information• Solicitation (Request for Applications)• Technical Abstracts• Link to SBA and Other SBIR Programs• Upcoming SBIR Conferences
SBIR
U.S. Department of AgricultureSmall Business Innovation Research Program
Dr. Peter BurfeningAnimal Production and Protection;
Wildlife
Dr. Charles ClelandForests and Related Resources; Air, Water, and Soil; Aquaculture
Dr. William GoldnerPlant Production and Protection
(Biology and Engineering); Industrial Applications
Dr. Richard HeggAnimal Waste Management
Dr. Suresh SureshwaranFood Science and Nutrition; Rural
and Community Development, Marketing and Trade
Andrew P. WilsonProgram Specialist - SBIR