_Under the SBIR program, IES awardees will be considered successful if they (1) had developed a functioning prototype of an education technology product, and (2) conducted research to determine the usability, initial feasibility, and promise of the prototype to lead to the intended outcomes at the end of the Phase I period. Phase I funding is limited to $250,000 for 8 months of work, and if the project is successful, you can apply for Phase II funding. Phase II project funding is limited to $1,000,000 for 24 months of work. IES awardees will be considered successful if they (1) had fully developed a commercially viable education technology product; (2) demonstrated the usability and feasibility, and fidelity of implementing the product in an education delivery setting; (3) evaluated the promise of the product for achieving the intended outcomes when used in classrooms or schools; (4) developed a commercialization plan for the distribution and sustainability of the product, and (5) developed plans to conduct research to evaluate the efficacy of the product to lead to the intended outcomes at the completion of Phase II.
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_As Congressional Authority allows, HHS also carries a Direct-to-Phase II SBIRprogram. This program was instituted so that a federal funding agency may"issue a Phase II award to a small business concern that did not receive aPhase I award for that research/research & development". Essentially, if youare further along the development pipeline that a Phase I intends, you mightbe eligible to move directly to a Phase II project, and skip the initial "gate".Direct to Phase II opportunities are listed separately from any solicitation, sopay attention to what programs allow for this mechanism.
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_IES allows small businesses to submit questions related to their SBIR solicitation during the open solicitation period. Questions must be emailed to a particular ED program contact during the open period, and must be received by a particular cut-off date. As this date does change from year to year, ensure you are paying close attention to the solicitation.
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IES carries no additional requirements aside from the standard SBA requirements. Packages will be submitted through sam.gov. Ensure you have read the solicitation carefully, as these requirements might change between funding years.
