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NIH SBIR/STTR Myths Busted

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. 

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Your budget is scoreable and the smaller it is the more likely to be funded.  NOT TRUE.
  5. Applying by contract method typically yields a lower award rate.  NOT TRUE.  Actually the award rate is slightly higher.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.