The CTC Team attended the 2016 NIH SBIR/STTR Conference in Orlando this November. A “Myths Busting” break out session covered common questions and misgivings associated with NIH SBIR/STTR.
- Small program (budget) = low success rate. NOT TRUE. Each NIH institute has its own budget and own interests.If you have an idea that fits the interests of an institute, APPLY!
- If you change an institute within NIH it goes to a new review panel. NOT TRUE. NIH tries to match up past reviewers to keep review consistent.
- Do you think NIH didn’t like your technology because of a bad peer review? NOT TRUE. Peer review counts, but isn’t everything. If it’s a good technology with a clearly assembled proposal, your technology will be discussed.
- Your budget is scoreable and the smaller it is the more likely to be funded. NOT TRUE.
- Applying by contract method typically yields a lower award rate. NOT TRUE. Actually the award rate is slightly higher.
- CDC is NOT an institute within the NIH. TRUE. It is a separate agency within HHS (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
- CDC does participate in STTR. NOT TRUE. The CDC has a small budget of 9 Million for SBIR, but no budget for STTR. Last year the CDC did not deplete it’s SBIR budget. Apply small!
If you have questions about SBIR/STTR, NIH or any other agency, contact Margaret Ramey or your CTC contact.
