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The chart below is meant to provide a guideline for the completion of the many steps involved in an SBIR/STTR grant application.  This planner begins with the release of the FOA. Certain steps will take much longer than others, while others will require more leg work to complete such as gathering required documentation from collaborating partners and securing biosketches from key personnel who may not be employed by the applicant organization.  Further, it is essential that applicants allow themselves as much time as possible to work on the Project Narrative and provide an application that is responsive to the FOA.  

This schedule was developed with small business organizations in mind that have limited staff and are relatively new to the SBIR/STTR grant application process.  We recognized that experienced grant writers or companies with larger staffs, and personnel dedicated to specific areas, may approach this process differently.  In addition to the actions listed below, applicants should also review the DOE Funding Opportunities website and plan to attend upcoming webinars associated with the FOA.  

8 week schedule

Accelerated schedule - starts when Funding Opportunity Released

10 
Download / review FOA
Select
Download FOA








Decide SBIR/STTR/BothSBIR, STTR, or
STTR
BothIf STTR, reach out to Research Institution (RI)







Contact Topic Author
Send email
Contact Topic AuthorFollow
-
up (if necessary)







Locate Service Providers
SBDC, PTAC, Phase 0
Visit https://www.sbir.gov/local-assistance







RegistrationsPAMS
SAM Registration



SBAGrants.gov
SBA




SAM







Prepare Project Narrative
Write partGet feedbackWrite moreGet feedbackWrite moreGet FeedbackTweak & add markings


Gather & Adjudicate Feedback on OutlineComplete Draft of First Half*Gather & Adjudicate Feedback on First HalfComplete Draft of Second Half**Gather & Adjudicate Feedback on Second HalfAdd Proprietary Markings Finalize
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Write Draft LOI
Get
Gather & Adjudicate FeedbackSubmit LOI





Principal Investigator (PI) role
Think aboutRole?Confirm whoComplete biosketch &  current & pending funding


Determine Possible PI'sDefine and document PI's role on the projectConfirm final PIAuthor PI Biosketch, and Current/Pending Support List (C/PSL) 



Budget

Determine Project Scope Create Budget EstimateDetailed Budget AssemblyGather & Adjudicate Feedback (if necessary)
BudgetThink aboutStart preparingKeep workingGet FeedbackFinalizeBudget Justification Staffing $Facilities $Get Feedback
Finalize


Employees, subs, consultants
DiscussDiscussDiscussConfirmRequired Forms (RI, subs)DistributeFollow-upSecureNEW ITEM: PIER PLANThink aboutReach out



Estimate Staffing NeedsBuild Staff Breakdown (Employee/Sub/1099)Gather & Adjudicate Feedback (if necessary)Confirm
Prepare



Commercialization Plan


Review
Example
Examples and Create outlineCreate First Draft
Get Feedback
Gather & Adjudicate Feedback (if necessary)Finalize


Letters of Support
Think aboutReach outFollow up



Create a list of possible referencesContact References & Provide GuidanceFollow Up & Finalize Letters of SupportFinalize Letters of Support
Secure



Access Grants.gov workspace
Download forms & start completingGet feedback as needed




Log-In & Begin Completing Forms Complete Forms as Required by your FOAFinalize Forms as Required by your FOA
Finalize



Prepare Abstract/Summary
Prepare





Author Abstract



Biosketches & Current / Pending Support
Format
List (C/PSL)


Identify PersonnelRequest Biosketches from all
ProofProof
Personnel Review, provide feedback, and ask for updatesFinalize all Biosketches and (C/PSL) 


Full Application due







Submit early?Application  due - Monday
Have questions about FOA?Reach out to DOE Help Desk as needed; as well as help for Grants.gov and PAMS


Week 

Activities - 8 Week CalendarAccelerated Calendar 

1 

FOA Released 

  • Locate appropriate FOA in grants.gov, download, and review for application requirements & specifics 
  • Determine type of application:  SBIR, STTR, or Both.
  • Research issuing office - review mission, needs, research, programs. 
  • Assess ability to successfully respond to FOA.
  • Begin PAMS registration.
  • Visit the Find Local Assistance page at SBIR.gov to locate service providers, such as Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), many othersLocate service providers - SBDC, PTAC, etc.
  • Contact Topic Author/Manager if you have questions.
  • Download DOE SBIR/STTTR application checklist.

2 

  • If STTR application, or working with RI, consortia, or any partnering organizations, begin contacting those organization if known.  If you do not have established contacts, review partnering resources. 
  • Continue contacts with service providers if necessary.
  • Draft LOI
  • Begin SAM registration
  • Begin drafting Document and finalize Project Narrative  outline.

3 

  • Continue working on SAM registration
  • If working with an external reviewer, submit narrative elements completed thus far and seek feedbackgather and adjudicate feedback on Project Narrative outline. 
  • If working with an external reviewer, submit LOI draft gather and seek adjudicate feedback
  • Begin thinking about, and formulating, the budget if possible
  • Request letters of commitment/funding/support from RI, consortia, and/or any partnering organization  
  • Consider personnel and/or partnerships required to respond
  • Begin considering PI and the role they will take in the project
  • Continue drafting Project Narrative 
  • Continue to formulate budget 
  • on LOI.  
  • Determine possible PIs. 
  • Determine project scope for budgeting purposes.If working with a service provider or reviewer, begin providing Project Narrative sections for review as they are completed for comments 

4 

LOI due 

  • Submit LOI in PAMS 
  • Continue considering personnel and/or partnerships required to respond
  • Review and download commercialization plan
  • Continue drafting Project Narrative 
  • Continue to formulate budget 
  • Begin to format biosketches & current / pending support
  • Divide time between creative aspects of writing Project Narrative and completing required forms - R & R Senior/Key Person Form, R&R Other Project Information Form, SBIR/STTR Information Form.   
  • Complete draft of first half of Project Narrative. *Please note, "first half" equates to the following Narrative elements: Identification of the Problem & Technical Approach, Anticipated Public Benefits, Technical Objectives & Work Plan, and the Performance Schedule.
  • Define and document PI's role on the project.
  • Create budget estimate.
  • Estimate staffing needs.
  • Review example Commercialization Plan and create outline. 
  • Create list of potential references to supply Letters of Support.
  • Identify personnel for which biosketches and/or current & pending support information is required.Consider/determine necessary letters of commitment/funding/support from RI, consortia, and/or any partnering organization 

5 

  • Begin Grants.gov registration.
  • Gather & Adjudicate Feedback on first half of Project Narrative.
  • Confirm PI
  • Once registered with Grants.gov, create workspace and download application package and begin completing forms
  • Continue considering personnel and/or partnerships required to respond
  • If partnering with RI or any subcontractors, send subaward budget documents (downloaded from grants.gov application workspace) to RI or representative for completion 
  • Requests letter of support
  • Draft Commercialization Plan
  • Review PIER Plan requirements and begin to formulate plan
  • Continue drafting Project Narrative - get feedback on completed sections
  • Begin to formulate budget 
  • Begin Budget Justification Form 
  • Request biosketches for personnel and current/pending support lists
  • .
  • Complete detailed budget assembly.
  • Build staff breakdown (employees, subcontractors, 1099.
  • Gather supporting documentation and prepare staff section of Budget Justification. 
  • Send required forms to RI and/or subcontractors.
  • Create first draft of the Commercialization Plan. 
  • Contact references and provide guidance for Letters of Support.
  • Log-in to Grants.gov, create application workspace, and being completing forms. 
  • Request biosketches and current and pending support lists from key / senior personnel.Determine data management plan; if working with an RI, ensure that there is agreement on how/if data is to be shared 

6 

  • Register as SBC on SBIR.gov
  • Follow up with RI or any subcontractors regarding required forms
  • Follow up on requested Letters of Support
  • Reach out to appropriate partners regarding PIER Plan
  • Draft PI Biosketch and Current & Pending funding
  • Finalize key personnel
  • Continue drafting Project Narrative - get feedback on completed sections
  • Continue to formulate Budget 
  • Continue to draft Budget Justification
  • Draft Project Abstract / Summary
  • Proof biosketches received so far
  • Get feedback as necessary for Grants.gov and other required forms
  • Divide time between creative aspects of writing Project Narrative and completing required form
  • Complete draft of second half of Project Narrative. **Please note, "second half" equates to the following Project Narrative elements: Partners: Research Institutions (if applicable), Other Consultants & Subcontractors, Facilities, Other Resources, & Equipment, and Bibliography & References Cited.
  • Complete Biosketch and current and pending support list for PI.
  • Gather and adjudicate feedback on budget if necessary.
  • Gather and adjudicate feedback on staffing breakdown if necessary.
  • Gather supporting documents and write Facilities section of Budget Justification if applicable.
  • Ensure that RI and any subcontractors have correct forms and necessary information to complete.
  • Gather and adjudicate feedback on Commercialization Plan if necessary.
  • Follow up and finalize Letters of Support.
  • Complete forms as required by the FOA.
  • Author Abstract / Project Summary.
  • Review, provide feedback, and ask for updates on biosketches and current and pending support lists.Review DOE application checklist to verify all required forms

7 

Non-responsive feedback, if any, issue 

  • If you receive non-responsive feedback, review, address the comments, and determine next steps 
  • Gather and adjudicate feedback on second half of Project Narrative. 
  • Finalize Grantsbudget.gov forms
  • Get feedback on Budget
  • Get feedback on Budget Justification 
  • Secure required forms from RI and any partnering organizations or subcontractors
  • Secure Letters of Support
  • Get feedback on Project Narrative
  • Draft PIER Plan 
  • Finalize Commercialization Plan
  • Continue to proof biosketches

8 

  • Review Project Narrative for necessary edits and/or adjustments 
  • Review & finalize Budget 
  • Review & finalize Budget Justification
  • Review DOE checklist to ensure all necessary forms completed 
  • Confirm employees, subcontractors, and consultants.
  • Follow up with RI and/or subcontractors and consultants and finalize required forms.
  • Finalize Commercialization Plan.
  • Finalize Letters of Support.
  • Finalize all forms required by the FOA.
  • Finalize biosketches and current and pending support lists. 

8 

  • Add proprietary markings to Project Narrative.
  • Finalize Budget Justification. 

9 

Final review of application package and submit application.  

9 

Finalize & Submit application