SBIR/STTR Webinar: Cracking the Code: NIGMS SBIR Priorities and What It Takes to Get Funded

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Where most other NIH institutes fund research tied to a specific disease, organ system, or population, NIGMS takes a different approach, supporting fundamental research into the principles and mechanisms that underlie living systems themselves, often using research models that serve as windows into those general principles. That distinction is exactly what makes NIGMS a natural fit for so many SBIR applicants working on foundational science or platform technologies, but it also means many aren't sure how to position their proposal to align with what the agency is actually looking for. Understanding NIGMS's priorities, and how to frame your application to speak to them, can make the difference between a proposal that gets funded and one that doesn’t.

Join us for a live webinar led by Eddie Billingslea, Ph.D. from NIGMS, as he walks through NIGMS's current priorities and what it takes to put together a competitive SBIR proposal.

This webinar will cover:

• NIGMS priorities relevant to SBIR applicants, and how to tailor your specific aims and application language to align with them
• What reviewers and program officers look for in Phase I and II proposals, including common strengths, weaknesses, and pitfalls that lead to triage or decline
• How and when to engage program officers effectively, including best practices for contacting program directors and managers, and what materials to share
• Live Q&A with our NIGMS speaker 

Whether you're developing the next therapeutic, diagnostic, or research tool grounded in basic biological science, this is your chance to get funding insights directly from the person who manages NIGMS's Small Business program oversees SBIR/STTR support. Bring your questions, bring your ideas, and let's find your mechanism of action.

About the Speakers

Eddie Billingslea, Ph.D., is the Small Business Strategy Coordinator at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). He is responsible for coordinating the NIGMS small business program, as well as identifying and developing new opportunities for NIGMS commercialization and entrepreneurial activities, especially those related to capacity building, training, mentoring and diversity. Prior to joining NIGMS, Dr. Billingslea was the Strategic Planning and Evaluation Lead in the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH). Prior to that, he was a Health Science Policy Analyst in the Center for Research Strategy at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Billingslea earned a B.A. in psychology from Virginia Union University and a Ph. D in neuroscience from Georgetown University. He completed postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.

This is a free, virtual event, but registration is required. The Zoom link to the webinar will be emailed to you upon completion of your registration. 

Recording Notice: By registering for this webinar, you acknowledge and agree that it will be recorded and shared online for public viewing.

For more information and how to access more resources, visit the FAST Center at Illinois website. 

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that 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.