UNHInnovation is leading a U.S. Small Business Administration initiative called FOSTER (FOcused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Entrepreneurship and Results) to increase proposals for SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grants in the state of New Hampshire. Don't miss these upcoming trainings!
FOSTER Program Overview
UNHInnovation is leading a U.S. Small Business Administration initiative called FOSTER (FOcused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Entrepreneurship and Results) to increase proposals for SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grants in the state of New Hampshire. SBIR and STTR grants represent a valuable source of non-dilutive funding for New Hampshire (NH) small technology businesses with less than 500 employees.
SBIR and STTR grants represent an approximate $4 billion program annually and are issued by most U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), to name three. Grants are issued in phases, used to support research and development and can total more than $1 million each.
FOSTER offers small NH businesses a variety of services including grant identification, training, advice and proposal support. For select companies, a competitive microgrant program is available to offer direct grant proposal assistance. All services are free.
The SBIR/STTR program represents a great way for companies to receive needed capital to develop and build their products. To learn more, please contact the FOSTER team at FOSTER.UNHI@unh.edu
Learn more about our 2024-2025 FAST grant award
Read more about our latest U.S. Small Business Administration FAST grant award.
2025 FOSTER PROGRAM
Upcoming Trainings
Introduction to the SBIR/STTR Program
April 10, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend
Unlock the potential of your innovative ideas with the government's SBIR and STTR programs, which provide over $4 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital annually. This virtual session will guide you through the essentials of these programs, helping you determine if they are the right fit for your business and how to get started on your proposal journey.
What You'll Learn:
- Eligibility requirements
- Participating agencies
- Differences between SBIR and STTR
- Integration with other funding sources
- Common misconceptions and more!
NSF Proposal Prep Intensive - 3 Part Series
May 6, 7 & 8, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend
This virtual SBIR workshop provides an overview of the NSF SBIR/STTR program and proposal requirements. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, we’ll take a deep dive into the NSF program specifics, so you’re equipped for a successful proposal.
May 6: SBIR/STTR ABC’s and Overview of NSF program
Reviewing registrations necessary for submission, strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations, how to approach each section of the proposal, and more.
May 7: Project Description Elements
Review the key elements of an NSF proposal. Discuss how to present your Technical Objectives for reviewers to understand your research plan to prove feasibility. Learn about the importance of the commercial plan and how to prepare a compelling commercial plan.
May 8: Other key elements of the Phase I
Budget, bio sketches, facilities, collaborators, and tips on navigating the submission process.
What You'll Learn:
- NSF’s program goals and eligibility
- How to navigate the NSF website and use web tools (Research.gov)
- The importance of Program Managers
- Application components and proposal scoring
- How to avoid common pitfalls and more!
Register for the May NSF Session
Introduction to the SBIR/STTR Program
July 24, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend
Unlock the potential of your innovative ideas with the government's SBIR and STTR programs, which provide over $4 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital annually. This virtual session will guide you through the essentials of these programs, helping you determine if they are the right fit for your business and how to get started on your proposal journey.
What You'll Learn:
- Eligibility requirements
- Participating agencies
- Differences between SBIR and STTR
- Integration with other funding sources
- Common misconceptions and more!
Registration coming soon...
NSF Proposal Prep Intensive - 3 Part Series
September 9, 10 & 11, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend
This virtual SBIR workshop provides an overview of the NSF SBIR/STTR program and proposal requirements. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, we’ll take a deep dive into the NSF program specifics, so you’re equipped for a successful proposal.
September 9: SBIR/STTR ABC’s and Overview of NSF program
Reviewing registrations necessary for submission, strategies for targeting your proposal to meet the reviewers’ expectations, how to approach each section of the proposal, and more.
September 10: Project Description Elements
Review the key elements of an NSF proposal. Discuss how to present your Technical Objectives for reviewers to understand your research plan to prove feasibility. Learn about the importance of the commercial plan and how to prepare a compelling commercial plan.
September 11: Other key elements of the Phase I
Budget, bio sketches, facilities, collaborators, and tips on navigating the submission process.
What You'll Learn:
- NSF’s program goals and eligibility
- How to navigate the NSF website and use web tools (Research.gov)
- The importance of Program Managers
- Application components and proposal scoring
- How to avoid common pitfalls and more!
Save the Date!
Registration coming soon...
NIH Proposal Prep Intensive - 3 Part Series
September 23, 24 & 25, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend
This virtual SBIR workshop provides an overview of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR/STTR program and proposal requirements. In addition to up-to-date information on the SBIR/STTR programs, we’ll take a deep dive into the NIH program specifics, so you’re equipped for a successful proposal.
September 23: SBIR/STTR Overview and NIH Program Essentials
An overview of the SBIR/STTR program and review of NIH SBIR/STTR Program Essentials.
September 24: NIH Proposal Prep - Part 1
Detailed explanation of the major components of the Research Plan with strategies and review criteria.
September 25: NIH Proposal Prep - Part 2
Continuation of NIH proposal prep, including Biosketches, Facilities, Budgets
Save the Date!
Registration coming soon...
Introduction to the SBIR/STTR Program
October 16, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend
Unlock the potential of your innovative ideas with the government's SBIR and STTR programs, which provide over $4 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital annually. This virtual session will guide you through the essentials of these programs, helping you determine if they are the right fit for your business and how to get started on your proposal journey.
What You'll Learn:
- Eligibility requirements
- Participating agencies
- Differences between SBIR and STTR
- Integration with other funding sources
- Common misconceptions and more!
Registration coming soon...
FOSTER Related Files
Marc Eichenberger
Associate Vice President and Chief Business Development and Innovation Officer
foster.unhi@unh.edu
(603) 862-5446
Stay up to date by joining the FOSTER mailing list!
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