Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:


Pages 12-20

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 12...
... Nonetheless, with a number of valuable supporting functions and innovative approaches (such as Phase IIB to commercialization) , the NSF SBIR Program Office has made an impressive effort in developing a well-run program with a number of supporting functions and growing evaluation effort.
From page 13...
... Nevertheless, greater efforts to rigorously document and evaluate current achievements and the impact of program innovations could contribute to improved program output. Recommendations • Improving Program Operations: o Retain program flexibility: First and foremost, it is essential to retain and encourage the flexibility that has enabled the NSF SBIR program management to develop an innovative and effective multi-phase program.13 o Conduct regular evaluations.
From page 14...
... NSF should continue to promote its positive initiative with Phase IIB awards, refining the tool as experience suggests and raising the number and amount of these awards as third-party funding permits. 15 See Recommendations V and II-b in Chapter 2.
From page 16...
... SBIR was also designed to help to stimulate the U.S. economy by encouraging small businesses to market innovative technologies in the private sector.19 As the SBIR program approached its twentieth year of existence, the U.S.
From page 17...
... Each agency then selects the proposals that are found best to meet program selection criteria, and awards contracts or grants to the proposing small businesses. As conceived in the 1982 Act, SBIR's grant-making process is structured in three phases: 21 These are the 1982 Small Business Development Act, and the subsequent multi-year reauthorizations of the SBIR program in 1992 and 2000.
From page 18...
... as they push science-based products towards commercialization.23 22 With the agreement of the Small Business Administration, which plays an oversight role for the program, this amount can be higher in certain circumstances; e.g., drug development at NIH, and is often lower with smaller SBIR programs, e.g., EPA or the Department of Agriculture. 23 See Reid Cramer, "Patterns of Firm Participation in the Small Business Innovation Research Program in Southwestern and Mountain States," in National Research Council, The Small Business Innovation Research Program, An Assessment of the Department of Defense Fast Track Initiative, C
From page 19...
... 102-564) , which reauthorized the SBIR program until September 30, 2000, doubled the set-aside rate to 2.5%.25 This increase in the percentage of R&D funds allocated to the program was accompanied by a stronger emphasis on encouraging the commercialization of SBIR-funded technologies.26 Legislative language explicitly highlighted commercial potential as a criterion for awarding SBIR grants.
From page 20...
... This methodology was then reviewed and approved by an independent National Academies panel of experts.29 Information about the program was also gathered through interviews with SBIR program administrators and during two major conferences where SBIR officials were invited to describe 27 A GAO report had found that agencies had not adopted a uniform method for weighing commercial potential in SBIR applications.


This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.