FOSTER (FOcused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Equity and Results)

UNH FOSTER Program grant paperwork overlaid on NH map

FOSTER Program Overview

UNHInnovation is leading a U.S. Small Business Administration initiative called FOSTER (FOcused SBIR/STTR Teaching, Equity 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. FOSTER also includes an important mandate to support underserved communities such as women- and minority-owned businesses, rural as well as socially-economically disadvantaged companies. Read the official announcement.

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

2025 FOSTER PROGRAM

Upcoming Trainings

SBIR/STTR Overview

January 23, 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!

Who Should Attend:

Startups and companies with up to 500 employees engaged in early-stage technical R&D
Academics looking to commercialize their technologies
Companies seeking early-stage, non-dilutive funding for research

NIH SBIR/STTR: Proposal Preparation Intensive

February 4, 5 & 6, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm each day
Virtual | No cost to attend

Planning to submit a proposal for SBIR/STTR funding through the NIH? This intensive workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to craft a competitive proposal. With the April 5th submission deadline approaching, now is the time to start preparing.

Agenda:

Feb 4: SBIR/STTR Overview and NIH Program Essentials
Feb 5: NIH Proposal Prep - Part 1 (Research Plan components, strategies, review criteria)
Feb 6: NIH Proposal Prep - Part 2 (Biosketches, Facilities, Budgets)

What You'll Learn:

Registration process for submission
Strategies to meet reviewers’ expectations
Detailed guidance on each section of the proposal
How to avoid common pitfalls and more

Federal Funding for Space Technology

March 6, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend

Explore how SBIR/STTR programs can fund your space technology innovations. This workshop will provide insights into the specific agencies that support space-related technologies and how to navigate the funding process.

What You'll Learn:

SBIR/STTR eligibility requirements
Participating agencies focused on space tech
Integration with other funding sources
Common misconceptions and more

DOD SBIR: Overview of Program & Components

March 19, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Virtual | No cost to attend

The Department of Defense (DOD) offers the largest SBIR/STTR funding pool, investing over $2.3 billion annually. This workshop will provide an overview of the DOD SBIR/STTR program, including the solicitation cycle and tips for identifying the right opportunities for your technology.

What You'll Learn: