CSIT Announces Upcoming Webinars to Connect NJ Startups with SBIR/STTR Programs

TRENTON, N.J. (May 11, 2021) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) today announced that it will host webinars in May and June for emerging innovation-focused companies in the Garden State that are interested learning how the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) can help fuel their growth. Representatives from the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Defense will speak on May 26 and June 9 respectively to give an overview of their agencies’ SBIR/STTR programs. During these two-hour webinars, attendees will learn the benefits of engaging with these federal programs and get tips and advice for successfully applying for support. More information can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/csit.

The federal SBIR and STTR grant programs provide more than $3 billion each year to small businesses in a variety of technology and life sciences areas that propose innovative ideas that meet specific federal research and development (R&D) needs. The SBIR program enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. The STTR program funds cooperative R&D partnerships between small businesses and research institutions such as universities, federal R&D centers, or non-profits. The programs are open to U.S.-based, for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

Introduction to the National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR/STTR Program will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. and Introduction to the Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Program will be held on Wednesday, June 9 at 1:00 p.m. Links to both webinars can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/csit. Additionally, a recorded version of the webinar and copy of materials presented will be made available on the CSIT webpage following the event. 

“Creating opportunities for young, innovative companies to leverage federal resources as they grow is key to fulfilling Governor Phil Murphy’s vision of recapturing New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “In 2020 alone, more than 125 early-stage New Jersey companies received SBIR/STTR awards totaling nearly $62 million. We encourage emerging businesses throughout the state to attend our upcoming webinars to discover how SBIR/STTR funding can help them develop and commercialize life-saving and life-enhancing technologies. This, in turn, will increase their competitiveness on the global stage and will lead to the creation of new jobs here in our state.”

The webinars announced today are the latest in a series of steps CSIT is taking to enhance the competitiveness of New Jersey businesses competing on the worldwide stage. CSIT’s Direct Financial Assistance Program awards grant funding to early-stage companies engaged with SBIR/STTR programs. Through two rounds of funding, CSIT has awarded a total of $825,000 to 29 New Jersey companies.

About CSIT
In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov/csit or follow @NewJerseyEDA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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