The New Mexico Federal and State Technology program, at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center will host a National Science Foundation proposal lab March 23 to April 20. The proposal lab will be entirely virtual, and sessions will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. every Thursday. Applications are due Thursday, March 16.

Working with other FAST programs, NM FAST will collaborate with the Montana State University TechLink Center and Wyoming Small Business Development Center. This proposal lab will work with several NSF programs, and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

This five-week training program will prepare small businesses and entrepreneurs to submit either a SBIR or STTR proposal. Applicants are required to provide an NSF-accepted project pitch to be eligible for the proposal submission.

NM FAST hosted a workshop on project pitch elements in early March, a recording of this workshop can be found on YouTube. NM FAST also provides resources on how to conduct a project pitch on their website. They also provide self-paced courses if the weekly courses do not work with applicants’ schedules.

Milica Tenic, NM FAST program manager and proposal lab instructor, described the lab as a way for entrepreneurs and small businesses to receive access to beneficial information and expertise.

“The NSF proposal lab is a great opportunity for emerging businesses to learn about non-dilutive funding and to build a community of support as they are navigating funding sources for their innovative technologies,” Tenic said.

During this lab, applicants also get the opportunity to work with NSF SBIR/STTR experts in developing work plans, project budgets, grant review assistance and assistance with the proposal submission process. NSF program managers will also join the sessions to discuss agency direction for the proposal selection, along with recent NSF awardees who will share their experience with the proposal process.

Tenic said the NSF SBIR/STTR program award ceiling is at $275,000 for a period of performance of six or 12 months, for SBIR and STTR respectively.  

“Not only do participants in the proposal lab learn how to put together a strong NSF proposal, they also meet service providers, mentors and possible future business partners during the proposal lab, which is invaluable,” Tenic said.

For more information, contact Tenic at tenic@nmsu.edu. To apply visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScD_OPU8Wt3d6Xlsa1-xk9w2EdKBUV02V460ZGncVfwY88EcQ/viewform.