Thursday, July 3, 2008

Policy Tracker

Regional SBIR/STTR program in Maine

Maine will host an overview of the $2 billion-plus federal SBIR/STTR grants available for innovative technologies, on Wednesday, July 9, at the Regency in Portland, Maine. The program will include presentations on agency-specific SBIR/STTR programs from federal agency program managers and one-on-one meetings with federal program managers to discuss specific innovative technology. The SBIR/STTR program is a grant program where small businesses may receive up to $850,000 to fund feasibility studies and prototype development. Topics of interest are broad and grants are awarded in response to proposals submitted. Phase 1 funding provides up to $100,000 to prove feasibility, and Phase 2 provides up to $50,000 for prototype development.

Cost to attend is $30 per person, and the organizers invite all small businesses, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors and service providers to network with active SBIR/STTR participants and learn of available opportunities for technology-based businesses. The SBIR/STTR program includes federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the  Department of Transportation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency.