The NSW Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) program is a NSW Government initiative that provides competitive grants to NSW small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop and commercialise innovative solutions to well-defined problems for NSW Government agencies.
Each round, SBIR challenges are released describing a current NSW Government agency problem requiring an innovative solution that is not commercially available. SMEs apply to the SBIR program with their proposed solution to one of these challenges. Successful applicants receive grants to work with the agency to develop the solution and solve the challenge. At the end of the SBIR program, agencies are encouraged to pilot the technology at scale and consider procurement.
The SBIR program is administered by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE).
The SBIR program has three phases:
- Phase 1 – Feasibility study: An SME submits a proposal to solve one of the SBIR program challenges. Successful applicants receive a grant of up to $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study over a period of three months.
- Phase 2 – Proof of concept: Successful feasibility study participants are invited to apply for the proof of concept phase. Successful applicants receive a grant of up to $1,000,000 to develop a proof of concept over a period of 15 months.
- Phase 3 – Procurement: NSW Government agencies will consider purchasing successful solutions.
Each phase of the SBIR program is competitive and not all SMEs will proceed through all phases.
Objectives of the SBIR program
- Leverage the capacity of small business' R&D to address the needs of the NSW Government
- Make the NSW Government a proactive customer for innovation
- Increase the commercialisation of government funded R&D
- Support the technology and innovation sector in NSW
- Grow the number of innovative products, services and jobs in NSW.
Benefits of the SBIR program for small businesses
- Up to $1.1 million in grant funding to develop and commercialise a new technology or service
- Working with the NSW Government to pilot and test solutions
- Potential NSW Government contracts for successful solutions
- Retaining intellectual property rights and the right to commercialise and sell solutions in domestic and global markets.
SBIR Round 2 (2022)
Seven challenges were released for the Round 2:
- Waste Recovery and Management
- Biosecurity Surveillance
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Services
- Recycled Content Verification
- School Zones Alerting System
- Urban Heat Island
- Vital Sign Monitoring
9 proof of concept grants were awarded for Round 2.
11 feasibility study grants were awarded for Round 2.
SBIR Round 1 (2021)
Five challenges were released for Round 1:
10 proof of concept grants were awarded for Round 1.
17 feasibility study grants were awarded for Round 1.
Application process
The SBIR program assessment process is overseen by the SBIR Expert Panel.
The SBIR program Guidelines set out:
- The eligibility and assessment criteria
- How we assess applications
- How we notify applicants and enter into grant agreements with grantees
- How we monitor and evaluate performance
- Responsibilities and expectations in relation to the opportunity.
Phase 1 (Feasibility Study) Guidelines for the most recent round of the SBIR program (Round 2) are available here.
For more information about the SBIR program, please see the FAQs.
Contact
You can contact the SBIR team at: sbir@chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au
If you would like to receive further information about the SBIR program and future programs and activities run by OCSE, please register using this form to be added to the mailing list.