Satisfaction Surveys for SBIR/STTR Pre-submission Process (for Proposers and Reviewers)

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SBIR Satisfaction Survey for New Phase I Solicitation - Proposers

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of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Suzanne Plimpton, Reports
Clearance Officer, Office of the General Counsel, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria,
VA 22314.

Survey Overview
The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small
Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal submission process recently changed. We would
like to hear from you about this pilot process, which was created to reduce the burden on small
businesses and NSF program staff. The newly added Project Pitch requires a small business to
outline the technical innovation, commercialization potential, and broader impact of their
project before submitting a full proposal to NSF. Only projects that are determined to be a good
fit for the program’s objectives of supporting innovative technologies that show promise of
commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk (mentioned above and
outlined on our website: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/) will be invited to submit a full proposal,
therefore reducing the time and effort spent by small businesses in order to receive initial
feedback on their potential fit with the program requirements. To gauge the effectiveness and
clarity of this new process, we would appreciate your feedback.
Please note:
1. Your participation is voluntary.
2. Your individual responses will remain confidential and will be compiled with those
from other respondents to improve the NSF’s program.
3. Your answers will NOT affect the outcome of any current, pending, or future NSF
funding requests.

Section 1. Familiarity with the NSF SBIR/STTR program
This section asks about your familiarity with the program as well as your level of experience in applying to
the program.

1-1.

Has your small business submitted a full proposal to the NSF SBIR/STTR Program
before?
o Yes
o No

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1-2.

[If answered ‘Yes’ to Question 1-1] How many full proposals has your small business
previously submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR Program?
o
o
o

1-3.

How did you first hear about the NSF SBIR/STTR Program? (Mark all that apply)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

1-4.

Conference or trade shows
Professional or personal network
Consultant or service provider
Angel investor(s)
Venture capitalist(s)
University business incubator or accelerator
State economic development office
Small Business Administration
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Grants.gov
NSF.gov
Social Media – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Others – please specify

How did you first learn about the new Project Pitch requirement? (Select one)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

1-5.

1
2
3 or more

NSF Solicitation
NSF SBIR/STTR website (http://seedfund.nsf.gov)
The FAQs section of the NSF SBIR/STTR Website
Email/Phone call with NSF Staff Members
Webinars
Presentations from SBIR/STTR Program Directors
Others – please specify

Out of all the sources, which is the most helpful to you in learning about the new step
or helpful to you in submitting a Project Pitch? (Select one)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

NSF Solicitation
NSF SBIR/STTR website (http://seedfund.nsf.gov)
The FAQs section of the NSF SBIR/STTR Website
Email/Phone call with NSF Staff Members
Webinars
Presentations from SBIR/STTR Program Directors
Others – please specify

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Section 2. Process Satisfaction
This section asks about the overall submission process and the length restrictions on the Project Pitch.

2-1.

How easy or difficult was it to submit your Project Pitch via the online form?
o Very difficult
o Somewhat difficult
o Neither difficult nor easy
o Somewhat easy
o Very easy

2-2.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? I understood what I was asked
to submit in the Project Pitch.
o Agree
o Neither Agree nor Disagree
o Disagree

2-3.

Approximately how long did you spend in preparing and submitting the Project Pitch?
Time (minutes):

2-4.

The Project Pitch was limited to approximately 3 pages. Did you think this limit was too
long, too short, or about right?
o Too long
o Too short
o About right

2-5.

The Technical Innovation section of the Project Pitch was limited to 500 words. Did you
think this limit was too long, too short, or about right?
o Too long
o Too short
o About right

2-6.

The Technical Risk section of the Project Pitch was limited to 500 words. Did you think
this limit was too long, too short, or about right?
o Too long
o Too short
o About right

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2-7.

The Customer Profile and Pain Point(s) section of the Project Pitch was limited to 250
words. Did you think this limit was too long, too short, or about right?
o Too long
o Too short
o About right

2-8.

The Background and Current Status section of the Project Pitch was limited to 250
words. Did you think this limit was too long, too short, or about right?
o Too long
o Too short
o About right

Section 3 – Technology Areas
This section asks about the technology area of your small business, and whether you have had any
interaction with NSF SBIR/STTR Program Directors before submitting the Project Pitch.

3-1.

Which of the following best describes your research or technology area? (Select one)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Materials
Artificial Intelligence
Biological Technologies
Biomedical Technologies
Chemical Technologies
Digital Health
Distributed Ledger
Educational Technologies and Applications
Energy and Power Systems
Environmental Technologies
Information Technologies
Instrumentation and Hardware Systems
Internet of Things
Medical Devices
Nanotechnology
Other Topics
Photonics
Quantum Information Technologies
Robotics
Semiconductors
Sensors
Space
Wireless Technologies

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3-2.

Did you have any interaction with NSF SBIR/STTR Program Director(s) prior to
submitting the Project Pitch?
o Yes
o No

Section 4 - Time Commitment & Other Comments

This section asks about burden and additional feedback/concerns that you would like to share with us.

4-1.

Approximately how long did it take you to complete this survey?
Time (minutes):

4-2.

How can NSF better meet your needs? Please describe other concerns that were not
addressed in this survey.