The FY21 Phase I Release 2 topics have been released, so that means it’s time to start thinking about your SBIR/STTR proposal to the Department of Energy (DOE).

As you begin working on your proposal, the DOE Phase 0 program has put together a website of Online Tutorials aimed at helping companies and entrepreneurs. The tutorials on this website will help you understand what DOE sees as a well thought out and responsive Phase I SBIR or STTR proposal and maximize your chances of submitting a successful proposal.  

Since the DOE SBIR/STTR proposal process is guided by the FOA schedule as found on https://science.osti.gov/sbir/Funding-Opportunities, certain tutorials are more relevant now, while others will be relevant in the future. The following recommendations will be helpful for this week of November 23, 2020 as you begin to explore the new topics:

Tutorial 2: How do you find the right topic?
These tutorials will help you decide which topics are right for you and assist you in establishing open lines of communication between yourself and representatives of the awarding agencies.

Tutorial 3: SBIR or STTR? Which is right for me?
Struggling with acronym soup? Curious about which program may actually be the right one for you?  This tutorial identifies the major differences between the two programs and provides examples of how to decide when it is best to consider SBIR or STTR. 

Tutorial 5: Should I talk to Topic Managers (TM)?
Having a conversation with the Topic Manager helps you make the decision on which topics to respond to when it appears that there are multiple topics that seem appropriate. This tutorial helps you set goals for a meaningful interaction and plan your conversation.

As always, if you need assistance, you may contact the DOE SBIR/STTR Help Desk at SBIR-STTR@science.doe.gov or call (301) 903-5707 between the hours of 8:30 am and 5pm Eastern, Monday – Friday.

Please look for more assistance in the coming weeks!

Sincerely,
 
DOE’s Phase 0 Assistance Provider