RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Small North Carolina technology firms, innovators, scientists and researchers will have the opportunity on June 21 and 22 to learn more about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s grant programs.

The agency leads the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Each year the federal government awards more than $2.5 billion through SBIR and STTR to small businesses developing groundbreaking, high-risk technologies while taking no equity.

The SBA’s national SBIR Road Tour will come to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park on Friday, June 22. That program is hosted by the First Flight Venture Center in partnership with NCBiotech, the Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC), LaunchBio, NC IDEA, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development and the North Carolina Biosciences Organization.

The day before, on Thursday, June 21, SBTDC will offer a workshop on grant writing, commercialization, proposal development and the grant review process. In that event, at LaunchBio facilities in The Chesterfield, 701 W. Main Street in downtown Durham, past award winners will provide tips and insights to attendees, who will also learn how to make the most of their time with agency program managers.

Small-business representatives will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with agency program managers at the June 22 event. The agency officials will provide insight on their current priorities and projects and how their agencies make funding decisions.

The SBIR Tour is part of the government’s efforts to support small businesses focusing on high-impact research.

“We are dedicated to supporting America’s entrepreneurs wherever they are. American innovation is not restricted by geographic or cultural boundaries,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon in a statement.

“This tour reflects our commitment to ensuring that these innovators are aware of the resources that can help them turn a big idea into another great American innovation story.”

Each year, the SBIR and STTR award more than 4,000 grants to small technology and innovation-driven companies.

(C) NC Biotechnology Center