*** SPRINT APPLICATION IS LIVE *** APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY NOON/CT DECEMBER 22 ***
https://go.illinois.edu/ILFastCenterSprintApplication
The Illinois FAST Center is offering a FREE NSF SBIR/STTR Training series of proposal development workshops beginning on January 25, 2024. The training series includes 4 weekly, virtual workshops* that meet from Noon to 1:30 PM/CT. The Sprint offers a full-program option and an audit-only program option. The full program is open to IL-based teams, offers 1:1 mentoring provided by professional SBIR consultants, requires deadline-driven proposal development tasks, and is limited to a small number of teams. The audit-only program is open to teams in any state, does not provide 1:1 mentoring, and does not require submission of development tasks.
SESSION DATES: Meets virtually from noon to 1:30 PM.
- January 25, 2024
- February 1, 2024
- February 8, 2024
- February 15, 2024
*Depending on availability, on-site locations in Illinois may be offered as well. If so, that information will be shared with invited teams.
APPLYING TO PARTICIPATE: All interested teams are required to apply and to be invited to participate. Illinois-based teams can apply for the full-program (read more below) or the audit-only option. Teams located in other states and teams that are not quite ready for the full program are encouraged to select the audit-only program on their application. Prior to submitting an application, please review these guidelines that can help Illinois teams to assess their readiness for the full program. The application will also request contact information for a reference recommendation. A PDF version of questions presented to Full Program applicants may be viewed online here. A PDF version of questions presented to Audit-Only Program applicants may be viewed online here.
FULL PROGRAM SPRINT TRAINING: The NSF Sprint Training is a free program that provides qualified Illinois teams with training and 1:1 mentoring over four weeks provided by professional SBIR consultants. Teams invited to the full program will complete and submit development tasks and will receive expert feedback and guidance on their work-in-progress Phase I draft proposal. Teams applying to participate in the full program will have already submitted or prepared an NSF Project Pitch – with priority given to those teams that have been invited to submit an NSF Phase I proposal.
AUDIT-ONLY PROGRAM: There will also be a free an audit-only program option that does not include the 1:1 mentoring and review/feedback on development assignments. Audit participants will have virtual access to all of the sessions (via Zoom) and development task materials. If on-site locations are offered, audit participants will have an opportunity to register for limited seating offered by local hosts.
Questions may be directed to il-fast-training@lists.illinois.edu.
