STTR
Overview
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program aims to encourage US small businesses to engage in research and development (R&D) with potential for commercialization. The STTR program provides award-based funding as incentive for technological innovation.
The STTR program requires the small business to formally collaborate with a non-profit research
institution in Phase I and Phase II. The main objective of the STTR program is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations.
How It Works
DoD - Department of Defense
DOE - Department of Energy
HHS -Department of Health and Human Services
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NSF - National Science Foundation
Eligibility
Located in the United States
For-profit
500 employees or less
More than 50% owned and controlled by citizens or permanent residents of the US
Partnering with an eligible non-profit research institution
Meet one of three definitions:
• Non-profit college or university
• Domestic non-profit research organization
• Federally funded R&D center (FFRDC)
Located in the United States
The Three phases
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
SBIR vs. STTR
| SBIR | STTR |
|---|---|
| Partnerships allowed but not required | Must have a partnership with an eligible organization . |
| Majority of project employment must be at the applicant small business | Principal Investigator may be employed by either the small business or the partnering organization |
| Allowed to subcontract up to: Phase I: 33% Phase II: 50% | Minimum project work requirement: Small business: 40% Partnering organization: 30%d. |
| 11 participating agencies | 5 participating industries |
| Majority venture capital ownership is allowed by some agencies | Majority venture capital ownership is not allowed. |
