The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide excellent opportunities for collaboration on research and development efforts between industry and academia and governmental agency, which can be rewarding for all. While each participant's mission and objectives may be somewhat different, all can contribute well towards the overall success of the program. In this presentation, the perspective of an academic faculty member participating in such a SBIR or STTR program will be discussed. This presentation will focus specifically on the needs and approaches from an academic viewpoint.

The potential scientific and educational benefits, including the training of graduate and undergraduate students, can be derived from participation in a SBIR or STTR program. Mentoring of high school students, particularly young women, and science teachers from junior and high schools are also part of our educational activities taking place in both the academic institute and the industrial laboratory A NSF supported STTR program will be used as an example for discussion.