Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 003220
Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 003220
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture business and commerce employment, labor and training natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.212 Small Business Innovation Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 8, 2010 and posted on Jun 8, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Applications may be submitted by private companies, Small Business Development Centers and Universities. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen the commercial readiness of USDA SBIR Phase I awardees. Rather than funding new technical research, this program funds a provider (the successful applicant to this CAP competition) to deliver structured commercialization support to SBIR Phase I winners from fiscal years 2010 and 2011. In practical terms, the grant is intended to build a bridge between early-stage innovation and real-world market entry by giving Phase I companies the training and guidance they need to think like commercialization-focused businesses, not just R and D projects.
The program centers on three core goals. First, it aims to improve the commercialization skills of SBIR Phase I recipients through introductory training that participants can access at a time and place that is convenient, suggesting a flexible delivery model (for example, online modules, remote coaching, or distributed training resources). Second, it is meant to help Phase I recipients produce stronger, more competitive commercialization plans. That emphasis matters because commercialization plans are often decisive for follow-on funding, partnerships, customer adoption, and, in many SBIR contexts, the ability to compete for Phase II awards or other investment. Third, the program requires the provider to monitor and assess the impacts of the commercialization training on the Phase I recipients, meaning the effort is not only instructional but also evaluative, with some form of tracking outcomes and documenting whether the training measurably improves commercialization capability and planning quality.
Administratively, this opportunity was posted on June 8, 2010, and closed on July 15, 2010, with an archive date of August 16, 2010. The funding instrument is a grant, and the total estimated funding for the opportunity is $100,000, with an award ceiling of $100,000 and an award floor of $0. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for eligible applicants that can credibly deliver commercialization assistance but may not have matching funds available.
Eligibility is relatively broad for an assistance-provider competition. Applications may be submitted by private companies, Small Business Development Centers, and universities. The eligible applicant categories listed include small businesses, private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and other applicants as clarified in the announcement. The program also allows award recipients to subcontract to organizations that might not themselves be eligible to apply, as long as those subcontractors are necessary to carry out the project. This structure supports partnerships where, for example, a university or SBDC leads the project but brings in specialized commercialization consultants, market research firms, or training platform providers to deliver key components.
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.212 (Small Business Innovation Research) and spans multiple funding activity categories, including agriculture; business and commerce; employment, labor and training; natural resources; and science and technology and other research and development. Those categories reflect the reality that USDA SBIR projects frequently sit at the intersection of technical innovation and applied markets in food, agriculture, and natural resource systems, and that commercialization support often involves workforce and business development elements alongside technology translation.
For access or technical issues with the full announcement, NIFA directed applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays). The funding opportunity number for reference is USDA NIFA SBIR 003220, and the official title is Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the SBIR Phase I Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP)?
The SBIR Phase I Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity intended to strengthen the commercial readiness of USDA SBIR Phase I awardees. It funds a provider to deliver structured commercialization support to eligible SBIR Phase I winners, rather than funding new technical research.
What is the main purpose of this CAP grant?
The purpose is to build a bridge between early-stage innovation and real-world market entry by helping USDA SBIR Phase I companies develop commercialization-focused skills and stronger commercialization plans, and by requiring the provider to monitor and assess the impacts of the training.
Does this program fund new research and development (R&D)?
No. This CAP opportunity is described as not funding new technical research. Instead, it funds commercialization assistance delivered by a provider to selected SBIR Phase I awardees.
Who receives the grant funds under this opportunity?
The successful applicant to this CAP competition (the commercialization assistance provider) receives the grant funds to deliver training, guidance, and related support services to eligible USDA SBIR Phase I awardees.
Which SBIR awardees are the intended participants for the commercialization support?
The program is intended to serve USDA SBIR Phase I winners from fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
What are the core goals of the CAP program?
The program centers on three goals: (1) improving the commercialization skills of USDA SBIR Phase I recipients through introductory training that can be accessed conveniently, (2) helping Phase I recipients produce stronger and more competitive commercialization plans, and (3) monitoring and assessing the impacts of the commercialization training on participating Phase I recipients.
What kinds of training delivery methods are expected or implied?
The description suggests a flexible, convenient delivery model where participants can access training at a time and place that works for them. Examples implied include online modules, remote coaching, or distributed training resources.
Why does the program emphasize commercialization plans?
The opportunity notes that commercialization plans are often decisive for follow-on funding, partnerships, customer adoption, and in many SBIR contexts, the ability to compete for Phase II awards or other investment. The CAP aims to improve the strength and competitiveness of these plans.
Is the provider required to evaluate outcomes of the assistance?
Yes. The program requires the provider to monitor and assess the impacts of the commercialization training on SBIR Phase I recipients, meaning the effort is both instructional and evaluative and includes tracking outcomes and documenting whether training improves commercialization capability and planning quality.
What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The total estimated funding is $100,000. The award ceiling is $100,000, and the award floor is $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply to be the commercialization assistance provider?
Eligibility is broad. Applications may be submitted by private companies, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and universities. Eligible applicant categories listed include small businesses, private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and other applicants as clarified in the announcement.
Can the award recipient subcontract parts of the project?
Yes. The opportunity allows award recipients to subcontract to organizations that might not themselves be eligible to apply, as long as those subcontractors are necessary to carry out the project.
What kinds of subcontractors might be involved?
The description provides examples of potential partnership structures, such as a university or SBDC leading the project while bringing in specialized commercialization consultants, market research firms, or training platform providers to deliver key components.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.212 (Small Business Innovation Research).
What funding activity categories does this opportunity span?
The listed funding activity categories include agriculture; business and commerce; employment, labor and training; natural resources; and science and technology and other research and development.
What is the funding opportunity number and official title?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SBIR 003220. The official title is Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP).
When was the opportunity posted, and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on June 8, 2010, and closed on July 15, 2010. The archive date is August 16, 2010.
Who should applicants contact for access or technical issues with the full announcement?
NIFA directed applicants with access or technical issues to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays).
What does an award floor of $0 mean in this listing?
The listing states an award floor of $0, which indicates the minimum award amount is not set above zero in the opportunity information provided.
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