What is the SBIR program?
The federally-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a grant competition that offers vital funding for small businesses in edtech looking to build evidence of usability, feasibility, fidelity, and promise. The program is supported by several federal agencies, each with their own focus. First-time applicants generally apply for Phase IA or IB grants with awards of up to around $250,000. Successful Phase IA/B projects are then eligible for Phase II awards of up to around $1,000,000. Some exceptionally qualified companies can apply for a Phase II grant without previously winning a Phase I.
Our track record of success with the SBIR program
Since 2013, WestEd has served as the research partner for 60+ successful SBIR proposals from the Department of Education (IES), National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health. See some of our key findings from these research partnerships below:
What services does WestEd provide for SBIR grants?
As the research partner (subcontractor) to small businesses pursuing SBIR funding, WestEd provides a set of valuable services critical to winning funding and getting actionable results from an SBIR-funded grant project.
These services include:
- Writing elements of the proposal including the research plan (as well as supporting documentation like IRB approvals) and providing supplemental budget justifications and biographical information for WestEd staff
- Providing helpful resources for proposal planning and development including “quick sheets” and templates to aid proposal development and logic model development resources critical for strong narratives and research plans
- Conducting all research studies for the project (if the proposal is funded)
What services does WestEd provide for SBIR grants?
- Check your eligibility to apply for the SBIRs.
- Browse through the past 2023 IES SBIR awardees to get a feel for the types of products that are likely to be funded.
- Read about the 2024 IES SBIR Program solicitation information and priority areas. Review the requests for proposals. Make sure your proposed project fits the criteria for Phase IA, Phase IB, or a Direct to Phase II.