Alaska Phase 0 Program

The Alaska Phase 0 Program is the key to unlocking federal SBIR and STTR research and development funding. It provides expert reviews and grants of up to $5,000 to make the SBIR and STTR proposals of Alaskan small businesses more competitive

SBIR and STTR

SBIR stands for Small Business Innovation Research and STTR stands for Small Business Technology Transfer. Basically, the SBIR and STTR programs represent a process through which federal agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation, solicit small businesses to research and develop technology that is of interest or necessity to their agency and the nation.

More on SBIR, STTR, and Phase 0

SBIR and STTR are both three phase federal research and development grant/contract programs. Phase I grants provide up to $100,000 to test the scientific merit or feasibility of an idea. Phase II grants provide up to $750,000 for pilot testing and prototype development. By Phase III, SBIR/STTR projects are expected to attract private sector investment and result in the commercialization of technology. trend is the helping hand that enables Alaskan small businesses to prepare and submit successful proposals to the SBIR and STTR Programs.

The Alaska Phase 0 Program is an optional and auxiliary phase designed to give Phase I and Phase II proposals a greater rate of success by providing expert reviews and financial support. It is not an official phase of the SBIR or STTR program and it is not a required step; however, SBIR and STTR proposals submitted under the Alaska Phase 0 Program enjoy a 30% rate of Phase I or Phase II award while the national average is just 15%.

Phase 0 Eligibility and Review

To be eligible for full Phase 0 funding applicants must:

• Submit a draft of their SBIR or STTR proposal to trend at least 6 weeks prior to the federal solicitation deadline (funding eligibility decreases by $250 every business day thereafter)
• Receive an expert review of the draft SBIR or STTR proposal submitted for Phase 0 consideration (expert reviewers are contracted by trend)
• Be an Alaskan resident or business
• Use funds for proposal development

trend makes Phase 0 awards according to the following criteria:

1. Significance and originality
2. Appropriateness of the work plan
3. Consideration of the expert review
4. Relevance of the budget
5. Clarity of the proposal

The review panel may make adjustments and recommendations on the final amount of the award.

Phase 0 Application Process

Step 1: Submit a draft of an SBIR or STTR Phase I or II proposal to trend.

trend will screen the draft according to the appropriate agency criteria and then contract a third party expert review. This enables trend and the applicant to determine how Phase 0 funds may be best employed to strengthen the proposal. If a proposal fails to pass trend's initial screening, the applicant may revise and resubmit.

Step 2: Develop and provide trend with a scope of work and budget for the use of Phase 0 funds.

Applicants must take review comments and suggestions from step one into consideration. The scope of work should include:

1. Objectives for strengthening and revising the draft SBIR proposal
2. Work plan for strengthening and revising the draft SBIR proposal
3. Bids from any Phase 0 subcontractors or consultants
4. Expenditure budget and budget justification

Also include resumes for the PI, consultants, and staff that will be involved in the Phase 0 project.