October 05, 2011
Workshop to focus on research funding options
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Helping people take innovation research and technology to the next level is the focus of an upcoming event at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
A Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Workshop will take place Oct. 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale. The programs are federal initiatives providing more than $2 billion in grants and contracts annually to new or small companies developing new or enhanced products and services based on advanced technologies.
The upcoming program offers an overview of SBIR and STTR and provides information about the value these programs could hold for your company. Jim Greenwood of Greenwood Consulting Group, Inc., will also offer tips for preparing and submitting funding proposals.
“New business development from University research is an important way of advancing the local economy and promoting innovation. SBIR is an important mechanism for U.S. inventors and it is great to have such a well-known expert to help folks advance the commercial agenda in Southern Illinois,” said John A. Koropchak, vice chancellor for research and dean of the Graduate School.
Greenwood’s involvement with the SBIR dates to its inception in 1983. He provides technology transfer training in numerous venues and also offers people critiques on their draft proposals before they finalize and submit the funding requests. Greenwood is a commercialization reviewer for the SBIR and STTR programs at the National Science Foundation. He and wife Gail received the Tibbetts Award for their contributions to SBIR/STTR outreach and education efforts.
Sponsors of the Oct. 14 event include the Southern Illinois Research Park, the Small Business Incubator Program, the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
SIU Carbondale fosters technology-based innovation and business development through the efforts of the Technology Transfer Program and the Southern Illinois Research Park. In the past year alone, this partnership assisted in the creation of three new University research-based businesses securing several million dollars in funding.
“We have had several Research Park clients receive SBIR funding to support their start-up businesses. It is our hope that this workshop will attract additional interest in these research funding opportunities,” said Kyle L. Harfst, executive director of the Southern Illinois Research Park.
To register for the program or for more information about the various innovation and technology assistance programs at SIU Carbondale, look online at www.researchpark.siuc.edu, call 618/453-3427 or email harfst@siu.edu.