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Hello!
Welcome to the inaugural SBA Office of Investment and Innovation newsletter dedicated to our amazing innovation ecosystem builders! Whether you call yourself an entrepreneur or innovator support organization (ESO or ISO), resource partner, accelerator, economic development agency, tech transfer office, or general community builder and dot-connector, thank you for doing the work that you do so that individuals can contribute their best ideas to the world and those ideas can become reality and make a positive impact on more lives.
What do you want to see here? We are working on building up resources and opportunities for you to learn from each other and provide what unique value we can that helps you do your job and get useful information to your community. What does that look like for you? How can we help? Let us know at ecosystem@sba.gov
Having just come from a week of connecting at the SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference and the Build Back Better Regional Challenge summer conference, I’m filled with awe and hope that we’re at a real moment to make an equitable and inclusive innovation ecosystem real. Thank you and Happy Juneteenth!
With gratitude,
Jennifer Shieh, PhD
Director of Ecosystem Development
P.S. If someone forwarded this to you, sign up for the monthly SBA Innovation Ecosystem Network call
SBA Federal And State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program – Cooperative agreement applications due June 27
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) FY 2022 Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program competition to support SBIR/STTR applicants closes on June 27. The award ceiling is $125,000, with the intention to make 15 new awards. Slides and Q&A from a pre-application webinar are posted at sbir.gov/about-fast.
NSF Regional Innovation Engines – Concept outlines due June 30
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines initiative aims to catalyze and foster innovation and technology ecosystems across the U.S. Concept outlines are due June 30 for Type-1 awards that offer up to $1 million and up to two years to establish a new NSF Engine; and for Type-2 awards for up to $160 million and up to 10 years that will fund Engines across phases in more developed ecosystems. Watch the intro webinar recording.
DoD Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program – Grant proposals due July 19
The Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) is designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of the defense manufacturing industrial ecosystem.
EDA Equity Impact Investments – Cooperative agreement applications due August 5
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Equity Impact Investments program will fund an organization or coalition to provide technical assistance to build capacity within organizations serving underserved populations and communities to help them effectively participate in their local economic development efforts. Join the webinar on June 22, 2:00 pm ET.
EDA Economic Recovery Corps – Cooperative agreement applications due August 5
The EDA is seeking a Network Operator (an organization or coalition) to build, launch, and operate the Economic Recovery Corps program, which will embed Fellows in local economic development organizations across the country, adding staff resources to local organizations focused on improving economic resilience and competitiveness in distressed regions. Join the webinar on June 23, 1:30 pm ET.
Respond by July 5 to the White House Request For Information to Make Access to the Innovation Ecosystem More Inclusive and Equitable
The White House Office of Science & Technology Policy Lab-to-Market subcommittee is looking for broad perspectives, experiences, and ideas about how to improve inclusive and equitable access for our nation’s diverse pool of innovators and emerging entrepreneurs in Federal science and technology programs through a Request for Information to Make Access to the Innovation Ecosystem More Inclusive and Equitable with responses due July 5: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-11844
This is also an opportunity for you to share your programs or initiatives that have seen success in supporting innovators from underrepresented backgrounds.
NIH Supplements SBIR/STTR Funds to Promote Diversity
Did you know that NIH has supplemental funding available for SBIR/STTR awardee companies to bring on support for individuals from diverse backgrounds? Eligible research must be integral to the SBIR/STTR project and must contribute to the research career of the candidate. Requirements and funding levels vary by the candidate’s education and experience. Learn more about the opportunity from NIH.
US Patent & Trademark Office seeking nominees by July 1
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking three nominations each for its Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC) and Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC). Members of the PPAC and TPAC will work to advise the Office Director on goals, performance, budget, user fees, as well as patent and trademark policies, respectively. Committee members will also be responsible for preparing, transmitting, and publishing an annual report. Committee terms are for three years, and the service may be performed remotely. Nominations are due by July 1. More details available in the Federal Register.
SSBCI: First awards announced and TA application deadline delayed to September 1
On May 19, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that its State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) approved the plans of five states to facilitate capital access for entrepreneurs. These states are Hawaii ($62.0 million), Kansas ($69.6 million), Maryland ($198.4 million), Michigan ($237.0 million), and West Virginia ($72.1 million). Treasury has also delayed the deadline for states to apply for technical assistance funding, which is now September 1.
Commerce revives National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the appointment of 32 members to the National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship (NACIE). Individuals chosen from a pool of more than 260 nominees will be charged with helping to identify and recommend solutions to drive the innovation economy. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo and Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation will serve as NACIE’s two federal ex-officio co-chairs.
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