Explore how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Small Business Innovation Research program is paving the way for health startups to make an impact.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides funding opportunities for small businesses to develop innovative solutions to public health challenges. The program supports research and development in a variety of areas, including vaccines, diagnostics, and health information technology. The SBIR program is designed to encourage small businesses to participate in federal research and development with the potential for commercialization.
Imagine a world where cutting-edge technologies and breakthrough innovations could help prevent diseases and promote public health. Thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, that world is closer than you might think.
By providing funding opportunities for small businesses, the program is fueling innovation and driving progress in the fight against illness and disease. From vaccines and diagnostics to health information technology, the SBIR program is empowering entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into real-world solutions that improve health outcomes for millions of people. So, let’s take a closer look at this game-changing program and the impact it’s having on public health.
Here’s everything you need to know about the CDC’s SBIR program!
Table of Contents
What federal agency is the CDC a part of?
What are the objectives of the CDC SBIR program?
What are the eligibility requirements?
How do I apply for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SBIR awards?
Who are the CDC SBIR program contacts?
What are the SBIR topics for the CDC?
What is CDC SBIR?
If you’re a small business looking to make a big impact in the world of public health, the CDC’s SBIR program might just be your golden ticket. This innovative program is all about supporting small businesses with big ideas by providing the funding needed to turn those ideas into reality.
The CDC’s SBIR program provides funding opportunities for small businesses to conduct research and development in a variety of areas related to public health, including vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and health information technology. The program is open to U.S.-based small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, and the CDC is particularly interested in supporting businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans.
But the SBIR program isn’t just about funding. It also offers training and mentorship to help small businesses navigate the complex world of federal research and development. Whether you need help with proposal writing, intellectual property protection, or commercialization, the program provides expert guidance and support.
Through the SBIR program, the CDC is not only fueling innovation in public health, but also promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth. Since its inception in 1982, the program has supported thousands of small businesses and helped to bring innovative products and services to market.
What federal agency is the CDC a part of?
As we’ve seen, the CDC is a vital federal agency with a mission to protect public health and safety. But did you know that the CDC is just one of many agencies that fall under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)?
The HHS is a cabinet-level department of the federal government responsible for protecting the health and well-being of all Americans. The HHS oversees a wide range of agencies, including the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to name just a few.
The HHS’s mission is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The department’s work covers a wide range of areas, from biomedical research and drug development to healthcare access and delivery, disease prevention and control, and public health preparedness and response.
As a part of the HHS, the CDC has a broad reach and plays a crucial role in shaping public health policy and practices. One of the ways the CDC drives innovation in public health is through its SBIR program. By providing funding and support to small businesses with innovative ideas, the CDC is helping to fuel progress in the fight against disease and illness.
What are the objectives of the CDC SBIR program?
The CDC’s SBIR program has several key objectives that guide its mission to drive innovation in public health. Here are a few of the program’s top objectives:
- To stimulate technological innovation: The CDC’s SBIR program is all about driving progress in the fight against disease and illness through cutting-edge technologies and breakthrough innovations. Through funding and support, the program sparks the development of new tools, therapies, and services that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
- To promote entrepreneurship and economic growth: Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and the CDC’s SBIR program is dedicated to supporting these businesses as they grow and innovate. By providing funding, training, and mentorship, the program actively creates jobs and drives economic growth in communities across the country.
- To address public health challenges: The CDC’s SBIR program is focused on finding innovative solutions to some of the biggest public health challenges of our time, from infectious diseases to chronic conditions. With timely research and development in these areas, the program prevents and controls the spread of disease, improving health outcomes for people around the world.
- To promote diversity and inclusion: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s SBIR program is committed to supporting small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans. The program delivers funding opportunities and other forms of support, thereby helping to level the playing field and promote diversity and inclusion in the world of public health innovation.
Through these and other objectives, the CDC’s SBIR program is driving progress in public health innovation and making a real impact in the fight against disease and illness.
What are the eligibility requirements?
If you’re a small business with a passion for public health innovation, you may be wondering whether you’re eligible for the CDC’s SBIR program. Here are the eligibility requirements you need to know:
- Small business status: To be eligible for the CDC’s SBIR program, your company must meet the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) definition of a small business. Generally, this means that your business must have fewer than 500 employees.
- U.S. ownership: To be eligible for the program, your business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Principal investigator: You must identify a principal investigator who will be responsible for overseeing the research and development work supported by the SBIR award.
- Research and development focus: Your proposed project must align with the CDC’s public health mission and fall within one of the program’s priority areas, which include vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and health information technology, among others.
- Knowledge of the Phases: The CDC’s SBIR program is divided into two phases, and businesses must apply separately for each phase. Phase I awards are intended to support research and development of innovative ideas, while Phase II awards are intended to support the development and commercialization of those ideas.
- Prior awards: If your business has received a prior SBIR award from the CDC, you may still be eligible to apply for another award, but you must demonstrate progress and success with your previous award.
By meeting these eligibility requirements, your small business may be eligible to receive funding and support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s SBIR program to drive innovation in public health and advance your company’s growth and success.
CDC SBIR Phase I
The CDC SBIR program is divided into Phase I and Phase II, with the first phase focused on supporting research and development of innovative ideas. Here’s what you need to know about Phase I of the CDC’s SBIR program:
The success rates for DHA SBIR and STTR Phase I proposals are competitive and vary depending on the focus area and topic of the proposal. According to recent data, the success rate for DHA SBIR Phase I proposals was approximately 15 percent, while the success rate for DHA STTR Phase I proposals was approximately 25 percent.
How much is the SBIR Phase I award?
The SBIR Phase I award provides up to $243,500 in funding to small businesses for a period of six months. This funding is intended to support the development of innovative ideas related to public health, with the goal of helping businesses move from idea to prototype.
How long is SBIR Phase I?
The SBIR Phase I award lasts for a period of six months. During this time, small businesses are expected to conduct research and development activities related to their proposed idea, with the goal of producing a prototype or other proof-of-concept deliverable.
Success Rates
While success rates for the CDC’s SBIR Phase I award vary from year to year, the overall success rate for Phase I proposals across all federal agencies is generally around 15–20 percent, with some variation depending on the specific agency and program. The competition can be fierce, but businesses with strong proposals and a clear plan for how they will use SBIR funding and support have a good chance of success.
CDC SBIR Phase II
The CDC SBIR program’s second phase focuses on supporting the development and commercialization of innovative ideas. Here’s what you need to know about Phase II of the CDC’s SBIR program:
How much is the SBIR Phase II award?
The SBIR Phase II award provides up to $1,972,828 in funding to small businesses for a period of up to two years. This funding is intended to support the development and commercialization of products or services related to public health, with the goal of bringing these products or services to market.
How long is SBIR Phase II?
The SBIR Phase II award can last for a period of up to two years. During this time, small businesses are expected to continue their research and development activities, with the goal of producing a marketable product or service that can make a real impact in the world of public health.
Success Rates
While success rates for the CDC’s SBIR Phase II award vary from year to year, the overall success rate for Phase II proposals across all federal agencies is generally around 35–45 percent, with some variation depending on the specific agency and program. The competition can be fierce, but businesses with a strong track record and a clear plan for how they will use SBIR funding and support have a good chance of success.
Check Eligibility
Before you begin the application process, make sure that your small business meets the eligibility requirements for the CDC’s SBIR program. You can find more information about eligibility on the CDC’s SBIR website.
Find a Solicitation
The CDC issues solicitations for SBIR proposals each year, outlining the specific areas of focus for that funding cycle. You can find current solicitations on the CDC’s SBIR website.
Develop a Proposal
Once you have identified a solicitation that aligns with your business’s area of focus, you can begin developing your proposal. The proposal should outline your innovative idea, the research and development activities you plan to undertake, and the potential impact of your idea on public health. You should also include a budget and timeline for your project.
Submit Your Proposal
When you’re ready to submit your proposal, you can do so through the grants.gov website. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions in the solicitation and submit your proposal by the deadline.
Await Review
After you submit your proposal, it will go through a peer review process to evaluate its scientific and technical merit. Once the review process is complete, you will be notified, and if your proposal is selected for funding, you will receive a notice of award.
Applying for a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SBIR award can be a complex process, but with careful planning and a strong proposal, your small business may be eligible to receive funding and support to drive innovation in public health.
Who are the CDC SBIR program contacts?
If you have questions about the CDC SBIR program or need assistance with the application process, there are several program contacts you can reach out to for help. Here are a few key contacts to keep in mind:
- CDC SBIR Program Manager: The CDC SBIR program manager can answer questions about the program’s focus areas, eligibility requirements, and application process. You can contact the program manager at sbir@cdc.gov.
- CDC SBIR Program Coordinator: The CDC SBIR program coordinator can assist with administrative questions related to the application process, such as grants.gov submissions and proposal deadlines. You can contact the program coordinator at sbir@cdc.gov.
- CDC Small Business Specialist: The CDC’s small business specialist can provide guidance on doing business with the CDC, including information about contracting opportunities and the vendor registration process. You can contact the small business specialist at smallbusiness@cdc.gov.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR/STTR Program Office: If you have questions about the SBIR program in general or need assistance with the grants.gov submission process, you can contact the NIH SBIR/STTR program office at sbir@od.nih.gov.
These program contacts can provide valuable assistance and guidance as you navigate the CDC’s SBIR program and work to bring your innovative ideas to life. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance along the way.
What are the SBIR topics for the CDC?
The CDC SBIR program issues annual solicitations that outline the specific areas of focus for that funding cycle. The topics for the CDC’s 2023 SBIR program have not yet been released, but previous topics have focused on a wide range of areas related to public health. Past topics for the CDC’s SBIR program include:
- Development of innovative technologies to address vaccine-preventable diseases
- Development of diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases
- Development of new therapies for chronic and acute conditions
- Development of innovative health information technologies to improve public health outcomes
- Development of tools and strategies to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections
While we don’t yet know the specific topics for the CDC’s 2023 SBIR program, these past topics provide a good sense of the innovative ideas and technologies that the CDC is interested in supporting. Keep an eye on the CDC’s SBIR website for updates on the 2023 topics, as well as information about how to apply for funding and support.
Who has won a CDC SBIR Phase II award?
From developing new diagnostic tools to creating cutting-edge therapies, the CDC SBIR program is driving progress in public health innovation and helping to improve health outcomes for people around the world. Here are just a few examples of small businesses that have successfully navigated the CDC SBIR program and are making a meaningful impact in the field of public health.
Company: KC Industries (KCI)
Phase II Award Amount: $928,902.00
KC Industries (KCI), a small business based in Florida, has developed a fluoridation tablet and feeder system for water systems unable to use traditional fluoridation equipment due to cost or operation limitations, typically small water systems serving rural communities. This innovative technology offers tens of thousands of smaller public water systems the ability to provide the benefits of water fluoridation to communities in need.
Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride found in water to achieve the optimal level for prevention of tooth decay. Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong, reducing cavities by about 25 percent in children and adults. However, more than 34,000 community water systems in the U.S. do not provide fluoridated drinking water to their customers. About 35 percent of Americans do not have access to properly fluoridated water, either because they live in a home not served by a public water system or because their public water system potentially lacks the resources or size to make installing and maintaining robust fluoridation systems feasible.
To address this issue, the CDC announced an SBIR funding opportunity in 2013 to develop a pill or tablet that small water systems could use to provide fluoridated water to their customers. KCI received a CDC Phase I SBIR award in 2014 to study whether smaller public water systems could use compressed tablets of sodium fluorosilicate with commercially available equipment currently used to add fluoride additive products to water. After successful Phase I testing, KCI competed for a CDC SBIR Phase II award in 2015 to develop a turnkey tablet-based fluoridation system while refining their newly developed tablets for commercial use through laboratory and field testing.
Despite facing significant challenges, including the withdrawal of a major partner from the project, KCI persevered and, with the help of SBIR funding and guidance, assembled a broadly interdisciplinary team of specialists to develop the tablet contactor in-house and address other concerns such as packaging and shipping. By the end of Phase II, KCI’s tablet system had gained approval for use in public water systems and the tablets were ready for commercial manufacture. The technology allows small water systems to provide underserved rural communities, which often experience the greatest challenges in scaling traditional fluoridation technologies, the same potential for oral health benefits enjoyed by other populations receiving optimally fluoridated water.
“CDC SBIR funding and support from technical experts ensured that we had a road map for how to get from the beginning concept to the culmination of having a viable, marketable fluoride tablet,” said Steve McCarter, KC Industries President. “We were able to assemble the right plan and the right people to give us the right advice so that the end product has commercial appeal as well as scientific validity.”
What are the accounting requirements for CDC SBIR?
The CDC SBIR program requires small businesses that receive funding to comply with specific accounting and reporting requirements. These requirements are designed to ensure that federal funds are being used appropriately and that small businesses are keeping accurate and detailed records of their expenditures.
These requirements include:
- Maintaining a separate accounting system for all activities related to the SBIR project
- Keeping detailed records of all costs associated with the project, such as salaries, materials, and equipment
- Providing detailed invoices and receipts for all expenditures related to the project
- Submitting regular financial and progress reports to the CDC, including information on expenditures, progress updates, and any challenges or issues that have arisen
- Familiarization with the CDC’s guidance and resources on allowable costs, record-keeping requirements, and reporting deadlines
- Seeking guidance and support from the CDC as needed to ensure compliance with all accounting and reporting requirements
- Maintain effective internal controls to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of project funds.
- Ensure that all subcontractors and vendors comply with the same accounting and compliance requirements.
With a deep understanding of the complex requirements of CDC SBIR funding, Team 80 can help small businesses stay compliant and focus on their innovation goals without the burden of accounting and administrative tasks.
