Funding Nutrition Software Development: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a set-aside program designed to support innovative research conducted by small businesses in the U.S.A. Innovation and the potential for commercialization are included in the review criteria. S. federal agencies invite grant applications from small businesses in research areas described in their solicitations. Support under the SBIR program is normally provided for 6 months/$100,000 for NIH Phase I grants and for 6 months/$70,000 for USDA Phase 1 grants. Support is available for 2 years/$750,000 for NIH Phase II and 2 years/$275,000 for USDA Phase II projects. H Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program is a similar but smaller set-aside program also designed to support innovative research with commercialization possibilities. STTR projects must be conducted cooperatively by a small business and a research institution in the U.S. Innovation and the potential for commercialization are two of the review criteria. At least 40% of the research project is to be conducted by the small business concern and at least 30% of the work is to be conducted by the single, “partnering” research institution. These grants have supported the development of numerous applications expanding the use of nutrient data.