Hi Russ!

As we enter into the holiday season amidst the ongoing government shutdown, our program is still focused on guiding Montana innovators to prepare for future seed funding. But right now, many people in our communities are facing food insecurity that is outside of their control. Please consider how you and your company may give to our local food banks to address a very current need. Here is an incomplete list of some resource providers to start.  (No endorsement or partnership is implied here. Just a place to start to locate services you may support in your area.)

• HRDC and the Gallatin Valley Food Bank
• The Montana Food Bank Network

Evidence Beats Assertion

Market-driven validation to address problem-centric innovation

If you're a founder considering an SBIR application, you've likely thought deeply about how your innovation can make lives better, solve problems, or address market needs. That's a great starting point—but it's not enough to win funding or build a sustainable company.

The challenge isn't whether you've  considered the market. It's whether you can articulate it with the specificity and evidence that reviewers demand and customers require.

Start With Market Reality, Not Just Technical Innovation

Too many SBIR applications fail not because the technology isn't clever, but because there's no viable market—or the applicant lacks the skills to reach it.

SBIR can fund your R&D, but it can't create a market for you.

Before diving into your application, ask yourself:

Who specifically is your first customer? Not "the military" or "healthcare providers"—an actual, identifiable buyer you can name or describe precisely.

What are they spending money on today to address this problem? If they're spending nothing, that's a red flag. Innovation doesn't create demand from nothing; it replaces inadequate solutions.

Why would they switch to your solution? For novel technology, you need to be 10x better, not 10% better. What's the pain point that makes adoption worth the risk and cost?

How do you know this? This is where evidence beats assertion. Have you talked to potential customers? Conducted pilots? Gathered data? Reviewers can immediately tell the difference between validated insights and educated guesses.

Make Market Validation Part of Your Timeline

Use SBIR's phase structure as a forcing function. Phase I should prove both technical feasibility and market hypothesis. Phase II should have a clear path to revenue articulated upfront.

Before you apply, talk to potential customers. Aim for at least 5-10 relevant conversations. Come back with evidence: what you learned, what surprised you, what validated or changed your assumptions.

The proposals that win, and the companies that succeed, are built on evidence, not aspiration.

Meet up to discuss your innovation funding plans at UM Launchpad on November 12, 2025

The UM Launchpad is a resource for UM faculty, staff, students, and alumni interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Join us to learn about SBIR and discuss if this may be a funding path for your technology startup.

What: SBIR 101 and small group discussion about funding innovative technologies

Where: UM Launchpad, University of Montana Todd Building Lower Level 2

Date/Time: November 12, 2025 noon - 2PM

Who: UM students, faculty, staff, or alumni interested in learning more about federal applied research funding programs for small technology businesses.

Agenda: 

• SBIR overview and who & what is right for this type of funding
• Open discussion about successful strategies to create strong proposals, identify market, and building your team.

Space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided.

Can't make this, not in Missoula, or not affiliated with UM? Reach out to schedule time to discuss your tech venture and SBIR at techlinksbir@montana.edu.

Partner Highlights

MSU Core Facilities

Strengthening Montana's research infrastructure and fostering collaboration with industry

Montana State University's Core Facilities provide researchers with access to cutting-edge instrumentation and expert consultation across twelve specialized facilities. These include advanced capabilities in cryo-EM, bioimaging, flow cytometry, geospatial analysis, high-performance computing, and NMR spectroscopy. The facilities serve the entire MSU campus community, external academics, and industry professionals. These shared resources strengthen Montana's research infrastructure and foster collaboration between university researchers, government agencies, and industry partners. Learn more.

Montana World Trade Center Regulated Export /Export Control Training 

Virtual event on November 13  

Take a deep dive with MWTC Tech Export Team member Justin Cook about the dos and don’ts of export licensing and compliance. Learn about export control policies, regulations, and compliance programs before you engage in export. And if you’re already engaged, make sure your entire team understands the basics.

See the full agenda and register here.

Current SBIR/STTR Solicitations

Past and future policy for small business innovation research programs include that a percentage of certain agencies' extramural research and development budgets be allocated to small businesses proposing novel technology innovations that can address critical national needs and demonstrate the potential for commercial success. 

Here is a list of the historical SBIR agencies in order of budget (largest to smallest). Visit the sites below to view their program information and how or if that agency is processing incoming proposals and how they are managing existing grants/contracts. Information subject to change.

• Department of Defense (War) - Current Release 12 topics will remain in pre-release until the first Wednesday after program reauthorization or continuation. 
• HHS/NIH - Per NOT-OD-26-004 applicants should continue to submit applications in accordance with the dates listed in the funding opportunity announcements. 
  • The next Omnibus due date is January 5, 2026
  • Specific Funding Opportunities have varying due dates. Check the announcement
  • Also, consider ARPA-H and BARDA future funding opportunities.  
• National Aeronautical and Space Administration Read more about NASA's plans to move to a Broad Agency Announcement model in FY26 here. 
• National Science Foundation - The next submission due date is tomorrow November 5, 2025. If you have been invited to submit your proposal, keep your proposal preparation moving forward and plan to submit.
• Department of Energy and ARPA-E  ARPA-E has two SBIR/STTR announcements with due dates TBD.  
• USDA SBIR/STTR
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of Commerce -  NIST
• Department of Commerce - NOAA
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Education
• Environmental Protection Agency

Most of these agencies also offer other types of research & development funding opportunities outside the SBIR/STTR programs to which small businesses may apply. Feel free to reach out to discuss support we may offer.

Thanks for reading and sharing. Book time with me here for help with identifying topics, planning your proposal strategy, and to register for our upcoming Big Sky SBIR accelerator.

Best,

Ann Peterson

Program Director

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