We received a Phase I SBIR in 2005 and we just got our Phase II, from the NIH. I've written 3 proposals, so that puts my success at 33%.
The posters who suggest it is easy money to get are cocky and I feel mostly wrong. The typical success rate for Phase I's are in the 10-20% range, and Phase II is higher, but not 50%. The problem is that each government agency has its own policies and success rates, as well, the judging is based on who else is submitting during the current cycle (and even when in the fiscal year the cycle occurs). Each agency has a certain set-aside $, so it all depends on how much they have and the scores of those you're competing with.
I think the biggest problem is that large businesses rightfully recognize that the SBIR/STTR process can be a cash cow, so they set up dedicated panels and proposal writers to vet and sharpen proposals, and then find a small company that can qualify and go after the $.
It can be good money (it is helping us enormously), but it's an arduous process. My best advice is to get a grant writer or grant coach who really knows the agency you're going after, and has a good track record. You will pay a few thousand dollars for help in writing the grant, and perhaps 5% if you win the grant, but it is well worth it. I found that just our coach's experience with handling the budget and now the electronic filing was well worth the fee.
The posters who suggest it is easy money to get are cocky and I feel mostly wrong. The typical success rate for Phase I's are in the 10-20% range, and Phase II is higher, but not 50%. The problem is that each government agency has its own policies and success rates, as well, the judging is based on who else is submitting during the current cycle (and even when in the fiscal year the cycle occurs). Each agency has a certain set-aside $, so it all depends on how much they have and the scores of those you're competing with.
I think the biggest problem is that large businesses rightfully recognize that the SBIR/STTR process can be a cash cow, so they set up dedicated panels and proposal writers to vet and sharpen proposals, and then find a small company that can qualify and go after the $.
It can be good money (it is helping us enormously), but it's an arduous process. My best advice is to get a grant writer or grant coach who really knows the agency you're going after, and has a good track record. You will pay a few thousand dollars for help in writing the grant, and perhaps 5% if you win the grant, but it is well worth it. I found that just our coach's experience with handling the budget and now the electronic filing was well worth the fee.