SBIRs/STTRs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

To encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable 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, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

Central to the STTR program is the partnership between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The STTR program requires the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. STTR's most important role is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations.

SBIR/STTR Goals

  • Stimulate technological innovation.

  • Meet Federal research and development needs.

  • Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially or economically disadvantaged persons.

  • Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.

  • Foster technology transfer through cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions.

SBIR Spotlight: Enduralock Fasteners

Fasteners (nuts, bolts, safety wire, cotter pins, etc.) haven't seen significant modernization for decades yet they contribute to significant maintenance failures and delays for aircraft, vehicles, and Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE). Enduralock has developed new fasteners that will counteract many of the commonly established failure modes of legacy fasteners, while providing maintainers with new secure, aircraft-grade parts that can eliminate traditional securing methods like safety wire and cotter pins. Stealthwerx is partnering with Enduralock to bring these fasteners to Whiteman and champion their proliferation throughout AFGSC.