The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program annually provides approximately $20 MM to small businesses developing products, processes, and services within 13 broad Topic Areas, addressing the needs of the diverse communities served by the USDA. Proposal concepts are investigator-initiated and peer-reviewed. Participation by university researchers as collaborators, contractors, or consultants is encouraged. SBIR is a potential vehicle for moving technologies from public sector academic and government research to application and commercialization in the private sector.

The USDA SBIR Program funds research and development activities that may be of interest to AICHE members in the following Topic Areas: Forests and Related Resources (pulp and paper technology, sensors); Plant Production and Protection – Biology (transgenic crops for novel bio-based products); Plant Production and Protection – Engineering (sensors, nanotechnology); Air, Water and Soil (sensors, nanotechnology); Food Science and Nutrition (food engineering, sensors, nanotechnology); Aquaculture (sensors); Industrial Applications (nanotechnology, process engineering, bioreactors, plant cell culture systems, biofuels, value-added products, sensors); Animal Waste Management (process engineering, sensors, value-added products). Projects addressing improvements in manufacturing technologies are strongly encouraged.

The USDA SBIR Program has one annual solicitation (open June through August). Phase I feasibility projects currently receive up to $80 M for 8 months. Following a successful Phase I project, applications may be submitted for a Phase II research and development project for up to $300 M for 24 months. More information is available at : www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/sbir