SBIR/STTR Resources

Below are links to resources from MTI and our partner organizations that provide more in-depth information on the SBIR/STTR program. We’ll continue to update and expand these resources to provide entrepreneurs with expert insights into getting federal funding for their innovations.


Take The SBIR Assessment To See if Your Project is a Good Fit 

Click here to take our short assessment to see if your project is at the best stage for SBIR/STTR funding. After answering a few questions, you’ll know whether or not you’re a good fit for funding and can reach out to us for application support. If the assessment indicates that you’re not a good fit for the program right now, we’ll provide a list of next steps you can work on to improve your chances.


SBIR/STTR and TAP Program Flyers

SBIR/STTR Program

Download the PDF with an overview of the SBIR/STTR Program

TAP Program

Download our PDF about MTI’s TAP program, providing assistance for SBIR/STTR applicants

Workshops Presentations

These are resources that were presented at past SBIR/STTR workshops, which often go into detail about one of the participating federal agencies.

SBIR/STTR Overview Webinar, January 18, 2023

Online Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Experts, Karen West and Suzanne Hamlin, along with Senior Investment Officer, Shane Beckim. They provided an overview of the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, as well as details around how MTI’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) team helps companies develop competitive proposals at no cost. An interactive Q&A session followed the presentation.

Watch the workshop recording

SBIR/STTR Overview Webinar, December 13, 2022

Online Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Experts, Karen West and Suzanne Hamlin, along with Senior Investment Officer, Shane Beckim. They provided an overview of the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, as well as details around how MTI’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) team helps companies develop competitive proposals at no cost. An interactive Q&A session followed the presentation.

Watch the workshop recording

National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR Workshop, June 7, 2022

Virtual Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expert, Karen West, and National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Program Director, Ben Schrag.  Ben covered the NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program and provided insights into how businesses could access over $1M in funding. The Technical Assistance Program MTI offers was also discussed. An interactive Q&A session followed the presentation.

Watch the workshop recording

USDA SBIR Solicitation Overview Workshop, May 17, 2022

Virtual Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expert, Karen West, and US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Coordinator, Melinda Coffman. Melinda provided an overview of their FY2023 solicitation and topics of interest, as well as insights into how small businesses can access up to $800K in R&D funding for innovative technology through the SBIR program. The expert guidance and support MTI’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) team offers companies seeking to develop competitive applications was also discussed. Below you will find a video recording of the workshop.

Watch the workshop recording

Third in a 3-Part Series: Understanding the NIH SBIR/STTR Peer Review Process Workshop, January 25, 2022

Virtual Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expert, Karen West, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Expert, Jo Anne Goodnight provides helpful information about the NIH Peer Review Process and how to write an SBIR/STTR application to engage the reviewers. Below you will find a video recording of the workshop as well as a PDF file containing the workshop presentation.  

Watch the workshop recording

Download the workshop presentation

Second in a 3-Part Series: Writing the Specific Aims Page for National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR Applications Workshop, January 18, 2022

Virtual Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expert, Karen West, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Expert, Jo Anne Goodnight focused on the importance of a well-crafted “Specific Aims” page to highlight proposed research objectives. Below you will find a video recording of the workshop as well as a PDF file containing the workshop presentation.  

Watch the workshop recording

Download the workshop presentation

First in a 3-Part Series: National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation Workshop, January 11, 2022

Virtual Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expert, Karen West, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Expert, Jo Anne Goodnight designed to provide an overview of the NIH SBIR/STTR proposal process. Below you will find a video recording of the workshop. Also posted below are PDF files containing the workshop presentation, as well as MTI support programs slides.  

Watch the workshop recording

Download the workshop presentation

Download MTI’s support programs slides

USDA SBIR Solicitation Preparation Workshop, September 2021

Virtual Workshop presented by MTI’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Expert, Karen West, designed to prepare innovators for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) SBIR solicitation. 

Watch the workshop recording

National Science Foundation (NSF) Virtual Workshop, April 2021

Virtual Workshop that covered the NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program and highlighted the Technical Assistance Program MTI offers.

Download workshop slides | Watch the recording with passcode 38@JtI?P

USDA SBIR/STTR Funding Workshop, May 2020

Overview of the USDA’s program, how the proposal process works and ways in which MTI supports organizations applying for the program

Download the workshop presentation

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR/STTR Funding Workshop, May 2020

Overview of the SBIR/STTR program, process details and Maine-based support programs

Download the workshop presentation

Detailed information on the NIH SBIR/STTR programs and proposal development from Becky Aistrup, BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting

Download the NIH Proposal Writing presentation

National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR Funding Workshop, March 2020

Overview of the SBIR and NSF programs, Review Process details, and Maine-Based Support Programs

Download the workshop presentation

Comprehensive overview of the NSF SBIR program from Ben Schrag, NSF SBIR Program Director

Download the NSF presentation