ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFIC FINANCING SOURCES

DESCRIPTION:

SBIR is a highly coopetitive program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, hi-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains the entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. SBIR funds the critical start-up and development stages and it encourages the commercialization of technology, products, or services, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy. There are 3 phases of the SBIR Program:

Phase I - 6-month feasibility study
Phase II - development of technology proven feasible
Phase III - commercialization of that technology

ELIGIBILITY:

Businesses must be:

• American-owned and independently operated
•  For-profit
• Principal researcher employed by business
• Company size limited to 500 employees

PURPOSE:

Through the SBIR Program, EPA makes awards to small, high-tech firms for research and development of cutting-edge technologies. The program is intended to spawn commercial ventures that improve our environment and quality of life, develop pollution prevention technologies, create jobs, and increase productivity and economic growth.

LOAN AMOUNT:

Depending on the Phase

Phase I - Awards up to $100,000
Phase II - Awards up to $750,000
Phase III - No award, businesses must find private funding

EPA/SBIR Web Page: es.epa.gov/ncerqa/sbir/index.html
The 2000 SBIR solicitation will open August 11, 1999 and close on October 13, 1999