NSF Announces FY-2012 STTR Phase I Solicitations

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has opened solicitations for Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) grants for projects that will help the nation reach its broadband goals and the larger objective of alleviating growing pressure on limited radio spectrum resources.  Innovative approaches, technologies, and policies are required to enable more flexible and efficient access to the radio spectrum. The stakes are high in technology development, as the country that develops the key intellectual property to enable the efficient use of the spectrum and adopts new and effective spectrum regulations, is expected to have strong competitive advantages in the manufacturing of new communications systems and increased productivity in using this technology.

The Small Business Technology Transfer program stimulates technological innovation in the private sector by strengthening the role of small business concerns in meeting Federal research and development needs, increasing the commercial application of federally supported research results, and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically challenged and women-owned small businesses.

The STTR program requires researchers at universities and other non-profit research institutions to play a significant intellectual role in the conduct of each STTR project. These researchers, by joining forces with a small company, can spin off their commercially promising ideas while they remain primarily employed at the research institution.

Deadline for proposals is November 17, 2011.  Full details are available at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503661