The goal of the DOE's Phase 0 Assistance Program is to increase the number of high quality Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant applications from underrepresented, minority or women-owned, advanced technology, small businesses. This is accomplished through mentoring, SBIR/STTR proposal preparation assistance, market research, application support, as well technical and intellectual property consultation - all available to qualified small businesses at no charge.
Whether you need a high-level introduction to the Grants.gov application process, or you are looking for a step-by-step explanation of a particular Applicant task, we encourage you to consult the resources on this page.
This is an example of a DOE site that you could explore to help you understand the interests of the Department of Energy in a topic, the challenges, and DOE’s goals.
Each year the DOE prepares and submits a budget to Congress to fund initiatives consistent with DOE’s mission in regards to energy; science and innovation; and nuclear safety and security, as described on this site.
Download and use this checklist, which identifies the various components of your application that you must prepare, keeping in mind that it does not include every task required to submit an award-winning proposal.
DOE – Instructions for Completing a DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I Grant Application
From this page you will be able to download the Application Checklist, a pdf of the Instructions for Completing a DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I Grant Application, and a sample Commercialization Plan.
This site explains how WFO agreements allow FFRDCs to use their unique facilities, equipment, and personnel to perform fee-for-service research for non-federal entities.
The DOE defines what it expects to see in your work plan and offers guidance in its Grant Application Instructions – Project Narrative section, accessible from this web page.
This DOE Office of Science website, which discusses the value of sharing research data with the scientific community, may help applicants make determinations about data sharing.
“Use this resource to determine what free services are available from the DOE SBIR/STTR Phase 0 Assistance program, and what criteria are used to determine eligibility.
On this site, DOE releases topics twice a year, in July and October, that describe SBIR/STTR Phase I and II funding technology areas, along with relevant webinars.
This Department of Energy SBIR & STTR Programs website is designed to provide information to small businesses interested in learning about and applying for DOE SBIR & STTR grants.
Here you will find the DOE principles related to the management of digital research data, the specific DMP requirements, as well as a link offering suggested elements of a Data Management Plan.
DOE STTR Model Agreement for Property and Commercialization Rights
DOE provides a model agreement here, which you may want to use if you are doing an STTR proposal and have limited experience drafting property and commercialization agreements.
It is recommended that you listen to recordings of webinars, which can be accessed on this site, and then, if you have any lingering questions, call the topic Manager.
This site explains how researchers can obtain access to high technology DOE National Laboratory facilities for conducting both non-commercial and commercial research.
DOE’s Instructions for Preparing and Submitting a Letter of Intent
Your second task is to make sure you have a DUNS number so here you can learn about DUNS, search for your DUNS number and, if none exists, one will be created within a few business days.
This National Science Foundation site provides a downloadable list of federally funded R & D centers (FFRDCs), including the location, sponsoring agency, administrator, and activity type for each.
“Important dates for the current fiscal year DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I and II Funding Opportunities are provided here, as well as a link to DOE’s Grant Application Instructions.”
To find the names of individuals you may wish to approach for a letter of support you can use Google Scholar to find articles published by leading researchers in the same field.
The Grants.gov electronic submission process can be frustrating, so for help call or use this email link to contact the Grants.gov help desk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Use the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) found on this GSA website to determine per diem rates for lodging, meals and incidentals for a specific geographic location.
Acquiring an EIN number is your third task and you can receive one immediately after completing the application on this site by following guidelines provided.
KY – Kentucky Innovation Investment Program (KIIP)
This National Science Foundation site provides a downloadable list of federally funded R & D centers (FFRDCs), including the location, sponsoring agency, administrator, and activity type for each.
Material Growth Partners specializes in commercialization of technologies, with a focus on industrial/commercial firms and physical sciences technologies such as chemicals, machining and metal forming, electronic devices, and environmental control systems, among many others.
Here you can learn about the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data.
From this page you can search solicitations, create a PAMS new user account, link to the PAMS User Guide or PAMS contact information, or login as an existing user.
PR – Puerto Rico Small Business Technology Development Center
With your MPIN, you can visit this site to download a proposal application package and your AOR can register with Grants.gov, which will generate an email to your SAM E-Business POC for approval – all of which can take 6 weeks.
RI – Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council
Small businesses use their DUNS number here to register for an SBC Control ID, to be used for submissions at any of the 11 participating agencies in the SBIR or STTR programs.
This form can be used to satisfy the SBA requirement that an agreement exist between a Small Business Concern and a participating Research Institution concerning the allocation of property and commercialization rights.
Once you have your DUNS and EIN, you can start the 6-week SAM registration process by visiting this site, setting up an account, activating that account upon receiving an email, and then completing the registration process, to ultimately get an MPIN.