Have you ever wanted to apply for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant but need extra help getting it across the finish line? The TREND 2024 Phase 0 competition can help!
Each year, the TREND Phase 0 competition allows applicants to submit a draft SBIR Phase I proposal along with a request for assistance detailing how up to $5,000 in prize money could help them further develop the proposal. Applications are then checked for compliance and provided to a confidential TREND Committee of industry experts, miming a genuine Phase I experience. This process gives applicants a taste of what a real SBIR Phase I process is like, with the safety and confidence of knowing this local exercise helps prepare them for competing at the federal level.
Up to 5 applicants will be awarded up to $5,000 each in direct financial assistance to develop a Phase I application to further and grow their SBIR knowledge. These funds can be used for personalized advanced SBIR-related training, writing services to assist with Phase I efforts, further development of Phase I research, and more. Applicants should review the full rules closely to determine how funds may or may not be spent and adhere to competition guidelines.
Check out the full 2024 Phase 0 Competition guidelines here.
Looking for inspiration? Check out some of last year’s winners: 2023 TREND Phase 0 Winners Announced
Wondering where to start?
- View our SBIR-related trainings by navigating to our Workshops Page and selecting SBIR Support under the topics dropdown menu.
- Review videos from UAF’s Center ICE Alaska FAST Program introducing SBIR and how it works.
- View the official SBIR How it Works “RoadMap”
- Access over 55 tutorials on the SBIR website.
- Review the standard SBIR eligibility FAQs and launch page for SBIR entrepreneurs.
Coming soon: TREND will announce a virtual public workshop in June to promote the competition and address general questions or comments from the public. Details will be shared here and in the Alaska SBDC newsletter.
Stay tuned for any updates or changes to the competition by visiting our Phase 0 Competition Guidelines page leading up to submissions opening on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024!
The TREND Program looks forward to supporting your innovation. Please contact the program director, Tyler Arnold, and the rest of the TREND committee with questions, comments, or technical difficulties: TREND@aksbdc.org