The SBIR and STTR programs have the same goal: to help entrepreneurial researchers launch small businesses, engage in research and development, and commercialize new products that will benefit the public. The programs have two key differences, described below.
Project Leadership
- SBIR requires the project’s principal investigator to be employed primarily (more than half-time) by the small business during the award period, unless NIH grants a waiver of this requirement.
- STTR does not define employment criteria for the project’s principal investigator.
Nonprofit Research Institution Partners
- STTR requires the small business to have a formal collaboration agreement with a nonprofit research institution during Phases I and II. The research institution is responsible for at least 30 percent of the total effort for the project, and the small business is responsible for at least 40 percent.
- SBIR encourages but does not require nonprofit research institution partnership. A research institution can complete up to 33 percent of the total effort for a Phase I project and up to 50 percent of the total effort for a Phase II project, as applicable.
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SBIR |
STTR |
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|---|---|---|
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Principal Investigator |
Primary employment (more than half-time) must be with small business |
Primary employment may be with small business or research partner; must commit to at least 10 percent effort in project |
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Research Institution Partner |
Permits partnering, but small business must do at least:
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Requires partnering with U.S. research institution:
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More details about these differences are available on the NIH SBIR & STTR website.