SBIR Grants Open

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program at the Institute of Education Sciences (Institute) provides awards up to $1.05 million to small business firms and partners for the research and development (R&D) of commercially viable education technology products or tools. The program accepts proposals to develop products to improve student learning or to improve teacher efficiency in regular education delivery settings, products to improve outcomes among infants or toddlers in early intervention settings or K-12 students in special education settings, or tools used by researchers in the field of education.

FISCAL YEAR 2011 PROGRAM SOLICITATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

The Institute has released two Fiscal Year 2011 Fast-Track (Phase I and Phase II) solicitations.

• Solicitation # ED-IES-11-0009 is a request for proposals for the research and development of education technology products used by students or teachers (or other instructional personnel) or for the research and development of education technology tools used by researchers.
  This solicitation can be found at: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=89f8c19f6be3f4c296178385731bf49b&tab=core&_cview=0
  The due date and time for the receipt of proposals is 11 A.M. EST on January 18, 2011.
• Solicitation #ED-IES-11-R-0014 is a request for proposals for the research and development of technology products used by children, students, or teachers (or other instructional personnel or service providers) in special education.
  This solicitation can be found at: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=60ef9f4664901460d375833585fd680c&tab=core&_cview=0
  The due date and time for the receipt of proposals is 11 A.M. EST on January 20, 2011.

Challenge grant for small businesses

[From Philanthropy News Digest]

Opportunity International has announced the launch of a $1 million challenge grant designed to double the impact of corporate and small business contributions to the organization.

Through the end of the year, the Caterpillar Foundation will match new contributions or any gift in excess of a company's previous gift to Opportunity International, up to a total of $1 million. Donations from corporations and small businesses made through the initiative will be used to fund Opportunity International's various initiatives, including educational finance and rural and agricultural finance programs that are helping the working poor in sub-Saharan Africa, Mexico, India, Indonesia, and China achieve financial freedom, gain self-sufficiency, and feed their communities.

"Businesses have come to realize that they have an important, and even critical, roll to play in addressing many of the challenges that our world faces," said Caterpillar Foundation vice president Will Ball. "We are proud to be able to partner with businesses that are committed to solving complex and difficult issues, such as poverty, in supporting Opportunity International's efforts to provide savings-based microfinance services to the world's most marginalized citizens."

“Opportunity International and Caterpillar Foundation Launch $1 Million Corporate Challenge to Help Alleviate Global Poverty Through Savings-Based Microfinance Programs.” Opportunity International Press Release 11/15/10.

Small Biz Exporting Tool

Small businesses interested in exporting now have a new online tool to help them tap into the global marketplace to grow their business. Developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration, Six Steps to Begin Exporting, www.export.gov/begin, is the latest tool in the National Export Initiative toolbox to help entrepreneurs begin exporting.

The six-step process begins with a self-assessment to help potential exporters gauge their readiness to successfully engage in international trade. The self-assessment is followed by sections on training and counseling programs; resources to create an export business plan; information on conducting market research; assistance for finding foreign buyers; and investigating financing for your small business exports, foreign investments or projects.

Upon completing the self-assessment, businesses receive a score indicating their level of readiness. Based on the score, additional resources are identified to fit their specific needs, including SBA and its nationwide resource partners SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, as well as Commerce's U.S. Export Assistance Centers, which provide individualized support.

News Release

Small Business Innovation Awards

The Tibbetts Awards are presented to those small businesses and individuals judged to exemplify the best in the SBIR program. The award is named for Roland Tibbetts, acknowledged as the father of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, and is presented to companies and individuals that promote the mission and goals of the SBIR program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR):

- to stimulate technological innovation;

- to use small business to meet federal research and development needs;

- to encourage diverse participation in technological innovation;

- to increase commercialization of Federal research.

Nominations for the 2011 Awards will be accepted starting November 15, 2010. The nomination period will close on December 15, 2010 at 5 PM EST. Anyone can nominate a company and/or individual for a Tibbetts Award – including self-nominations. For more information, visit the SBA Tibbetts Awards Website: http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/tibbetts/

For more information on EPA's SBIR program see: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir

Follow NCER News and New Funding Opportunities on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EPAncer/

CDFI loan grants

[From Philanthropy News Digest] Citigroup, Inc. has announced that it will distribute $60 million to Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) loan funds by year's end to boost small business lending in low-income areas, the Associated Press reports.

The bank will award grants to CDFIs in thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia through a $200 million fund it established earlier this year with the Calvert Foundation and the Opportunity Finance Network. Eligible small business owners will be able to use the loans to hire new staff and/or expand their business.

In the past, community banks were the largest provider of credit to small businesses. But since the stock market crash of 2008, lending by community banks has fallen as many banks replenish their reserves in the face of an uncertain economy.

To that end, Citi is working to meet the financial needs of small businesses through the fund. For example, the fund recently made a loan to help a Chicago-based nonprofit open a sixty-seat restaurant that will serve inexpensive meals to low-income families. Citi told the AP that the nonprofit expects to add twelve full-time employees to its payroll as a result of the loan.

“Citigroup Grants $60M for Small Biz Lending.” Associated Press 11/03/10.

Retirement Plan Solutions for Small Businesses

A new website to help small businesses choose the right retirement solution for their employees was launched this week by the Employee Benefits Security Administration and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. "Having the right plan will give small business owners a way to save for their own retirement while helping their employees save for a secure retirement," said EBSA Assistant Secretary Phyllis Borzi.

· Read the News Release

View the Website

Flexibility webcast

The Department of Labor has announced an October 20 live webcast: National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility -- Best Practices and Challenges for Small Businesses.

The webcast begins at 10 am ET/9 am CT and concludes at 1:30 pm ET/12:30 pm CT.

The webcast will be available at http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/live/wb.

National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility Webpage

Treasury Announces State-by-State Funding Allocations to Support $15 Billion in Small Business Lending, Create New Jobs

State Small Business Credit Initiative Critical Component of
Small Business Jobs Act President Obama Signed into Law This Week;

All 50 States, DC, and the U.S. Territories Now Eligible for Funds to
Help Local Entrepreneurs Expand Their Businesses and Put More Americans Back to Work;

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced individual State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding allocations for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories, which will support $15 billion in new small business lending through innovative local programs that help entrepreneurs expand their businesses and create new jobs. These SSBCI funds are a critical component of the Small Business Jobs Act President Obama signed into law last week to help unlock credit and provide targeted tax cuts for small businesses. (A full listing of the state-by-state allocations announced today is included below.)

"Innovative local initiatives that support small business lending are under extraordinary pressure because of state budget difficulties," said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. "These funds will provide vital support to successful state-level programs that help local entrepreneurs obtain the credit they need to put more Americans back to work. President Obama fought hard for the Small Business Jobs Act because it will help ensure that small businesses continue to strengthen our nation's recovery and serve as critical engines for job creation."

Under the SSBCI, states are offered the opportunity to apply for federal funds for programs that partner with private lenders to extend greater credit to small businesses. States are required to demonstrate a minimum "bang for the buck" of $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding. Accordingly, the $1.5 billion funding commitment that the federal government will make for this program is expected to support $15 billion in additional private lending.

The SSBCI allows states to build upon existing, successful state-level small business lending programs, including examples such as collateral support programs, Capital Access Programs (CAPs), and loan guarantee programs.

o Collateral Support Programs for Small Manufacturers: Collateral support programs help viable businesses that are struggling to get credit because the value of the collateral they hold has fallen, often due to the decline in commercial real estate values. These programs – which set aside funds to augment collateral the borrower already holds – provide banks greater confidence in extending credit to these borrowers, particularly in some of the communities hardest hit by the economic downturn.

o Capital Access Programs (CAPs): CAPs, which are already up and running in over 20 states, are loan portfolio insurance programs in which states provide a matching contribution to bank loan loss reserves when lenders extend credit to qualified small businesses. These reserve enhancements allow lenders to expand credit to new borrowers at a time when many of these lenders might otherwise pull back.

o Loan Guarantee Programs: Under loan guarantee programs, states provide partial guarantees on certain small business loans to give lenders greater confidence to extend credit.

If a state does not have an existing small business lending program, officials can establish one in order to access this funding. States must provide plans for utilizing their funding allocations to Treasury for review and approval.

The amount of SSBCI funds a state is eligible to apply for is determined based upon formulas in the Small Business Jobs Act that take into account each state's respective unemployment rate and decline in employment relative to other states.

In addition to the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Small Business Jobs Act includes a number of important provisions to support small business job creation. The Act includes eight new small business tax cuts that went into effect immediately upon becoming law last week; creates a $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund to help small and community banks provide new loans to small businesses; extends and expands existing Small Business Administration loan programs; and delivers other important benefits for small businesses. For more information on the Small Business Jobs Act, please visit, link.

A full listing of State Small Business Credit Initiative allocations by state, as well as the amount of expected new lending that those allocations are expected to produce, are included below:

REPORTS

• Full listing

Bank of America Small Biz grants

[From Philanthropy News Digest] Charlotte-based Bank of America has announced forty grants totaling more than $3.7 million to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other nonprofit lenders to help spur lending to small businesses and expand their lending programs into new communities.

The grants represent the first round of funding through a $10 million Bank of America initiative designed to provide nonprofit lenders with loan loss reserves, an initiative that could unlock as much as $100 million in low-cost, long-term capital for small businesses nationwide over the next year. In the six weeks the grants have been available, CDFIs have used the funds to access nearly $27.5 million in microloans and other lending capital from the Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. With the new capital, the CDFIs expect to make 2,000 new microloans to small businesses and start-ups and help retain or create nearly 4,000 jobs in local communities across the nation.

The grantees serve small businesses in urban and rural communities in seventeen states. Early results include $5.5 million in microloans and capital leveraged by six nonprofit lenders in New York using $900,000 in Bank of America grants and $5.6 million leveraged by nine nonprofit lenders in California that received $790,000 in grants.

“Bank of America Awards First Round of Grants to Nonprofit Community Lenders for Microloans to Small Businesses.” Bank of America Press Release 10/06/10.

Small Biz Advantage grant--applications due Nov. 5

DEP: Advantage Grant Program Opens to Small Businesses Looking to Increase Profitability by Reducing Energy Costs and Pollution --Grants up to $7,500 Available to Increase Energy Efficiency

HARRISBURG -- Small-business owners in Pennsylvania seeking to improve energy efficiency to save money and prevent pollution can apply for a Small Business Advantage Grant through the Department of Environmental Protection. Businesses can apply for 50-percent matching grants of up to $7,500 to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution-prevention equipment or processes.

Applicants must be a for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer full-time employees. The grant-supported project must be located within a Pennsylvania facility owned by the applicant and save the business at least 10 percent annually in energy or pollution-related expenses.

Applicants may be manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining operators or agricultural businesses. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery systems, waste recycling systems and auxiliary power units deployed as anti-idling technology for trucks.

Nov. 5 is the application deadline. Faxes and electronic submissions will not be accepted. Eligible applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

Since Governor Edward G. Rendell launched the program in 2004, the Small Business Advantage Grant Program has awarded more than $5.8 million to 1,041 businesses across the state. The application package, including guidance, instructions and application form, is available at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Small Business Advantage, or by calling 717-783-8411.

Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St., P.O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772. ATTN: Small Business Advantage.

For questions or concerns regarding project eligibility, contact the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, Small Business Ombudsman’s Office at 717-783-8411 or at epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us before submitting an application.

IBM helps small businesses

[From Philanthropy News Digest] The IBM International Foundation has announced a grant of more than $10 million to establish a free, public Web site designed to help small businesses sell goods and services to global companies.

The funding is part of a commitment by IBM, AT&T, Bank of America, Citigroup, Pfizer, and UPS to standardize and simplify the application process required of small and midsize U.S. suppliers to compete for the nearly $150 billion in contracts collectively awarded by the companies each year. To be created and maintained by IBM, the Supplier Connection Web site will provide users with a single, streamlined electronic application form. Small vendors need only complete the application form once to become potential suppliers to the participating companies, enabling vendors to more easily connect with opportunities to sell their goods and services in the almost two hundred countries where the participating corporations operate. The site is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2011 and eventually draw a number of additional participating businesses.

According to a recent study by the Center for an Urban Future, small businesses often experience a dramatic increase in revenues and significantly increase their workforce after becoming a supplier to a large corporation. But the application process for small businesses hoping to supply large companies can require significant investments of time, money, and expertise.

"Everyone says that small business is the engine for economic growth. We believe opening up new markets for goods and services — in the billions of dollars spent by large companies — can be the fuel that will allow those small businesses to grow," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs at IBM and president of the IBM International Foundation. "I liken the mechanism we're unveiling to a universal college application, which simplified the way in which students could spend less time filling out redundant forms and focus more on academic excellence. That's what we're trying to do here — let small businesses do what they do best, grow their businesses, and not get bogged down in red tape."

“Six Large Corporations Aim to Boost Economy With New Supplier Program.” IBM Press Release 9/14/10.

Government resources in communities for small biz

Historically women and minority business owners have been underrepresented in the business world, but there are many resources that try to help change that. For the month of August, Business.gov asked its Community members “What government resources have you found in your community or on the web that help women or minorit...

State and local government contracting

Getting Started in State and Local Government Contracting – A Small Business 101
By Caron_Beesley - September 2, 2010
State and local government contract opportunities are abundant and, since most states “set-aside” a certain amount of contracts to small business each year, the opportunities can often be a good fit for small business. Here are seven tips for getting started in the state and local government marketplace. Read more...

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program stimulates technological innovation in the private sector by strengthening the role of small business concerns in meeting Federal research and development needs, increasing the commercial application of federally supported research results, and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.

The SBIR program solicits proposals from the small business sector consistent with NSF's mission. The program is governed by Public Law 106-554. A main purpose of the legislation is to stimulate technological innovation and increase private sector commercialization. The NSF SBIR program is therefore in a unique position to meet both the goals of NSF and the purpose of the SBIR legislation by transforming scientific discovery into both social and economic benefit, and by emphasizing private sector commercialization. Accordingly, NSF has formulated a broad solicitation topics for SBIR that conform to the high-technology investment sector's interests.

The four broad topics are:

• Biotechnology and Chemical Technologies (BC)
• Education Applications (EA)
• Information and Communication Technologies (IC)
• Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials, and Manufacturing (NM)

Dahlkemper Introduces New Plan to Help Small Business Increase Exports, Expand into New Markets

[From Rep. Dahlkemper's website] Friday, 23 July 2010
Washington—Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) has introduced new legislation to help small businesses expand through exports. The Small Business Export Enhancement Act of 2010 will help small businesses gain access to new markets and increase their exports by strengthening and improving Export Assistance Centers.

Export Assistance Centers, operated jointly by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, provide small- and medium- sized businesses with direct, personalized support with exporting. Rep. Dahlkemper’s bill will ensure that the Centers are fully staffed with export finance specialists and expand the number of specialists available to small businesses within two years. The legislation also directs the SBA to analyze the gaps in coverage by the export finance specialists to ensure that all areas are being served by the Export Assistance Centers.

“Exporting has allowed our business to grow by a significant margin,” said Michael L. Noble, President of HERO BX in Erie. “Helping small- and medium- sized businesses break into exporting accelerates growth and gives businesses access to an entirely new consumer and client base. Rep. Dahlkemper’s plan will surely help businesses in Western Pennsylvania.” Hero BX was recently awarded the U.S. Commercial Service’s Export Achievement Award.

Currently, less than one percent of our nation’s nearly 29 million small businesses export their goods and services; yet, that one percent accounts for about 31.3% of our nations export volume, totaling more than $311 billion in FY2009. According to a study by Comptia, the Computing Technology Industry Association, 86% of small businesses that are exporting reported their export sales are growing faster than their domestic sales.

In FY 2009, the SBA provided over 1,500 loans totaling over $600 million to exporters. On average, over the last five fiscal years, every dollar invested in SBA Export Assistance programs has resulted in $382 in export sales.

Services offered through Export Assistance Centers include three SBA trade and export loan programs targeted towards small business:

* International Trade Loan Program (ITL): The ITL program offers term loans to small businesses that plan to start or continue exporting, as well as to small businesses that have been adversely affected by competition from imports.
* Export Working Capital Program: SBA’s Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) loans are targeted to small businesses that are able to generate export sales and need additional working capital to support their sales.
* Export Express Loan Program: SBA Export Express helps small businesses develop or expand their export markets. The program provides exporters and lenders a streamlined method to obtain SBA-backed financing for loans and lines of credit up to $250,000.

DOE Announces $30 Million in New Small Business Funding to Help Commercialize Clean Energy Technologies

Washington, DC- U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that $30 million in funding from the Recovery Act and FY 2010 budget appropriations will be made available to qualified small businesses to support the commercialization of promising new technologies. Today's funding announcement builds on the Department's existing efforts under the Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) to develop near-term clean energy technologies and support American small businesses that will play an important role in building the clean energy economy of the future. This is the first time DOE has offered Phase III awards under these small business programs.

Small companies previously awarded Phase II grants through DOE's Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) or the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) are eligible. Projects that include developed technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and impact on U.S. manufacturing and job creation are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants may receive up to $3 million over 3 years to research, develop and deploy new technologies.

Applications are currently being accepted for the following technology areas of interest:

Biomass Technologies; Buildings Technologies; Fuel Cell Technologies; Geothermal Technologies - High Temperature Tools and Sensors; Industrial Technologies; Solar Technologies - Lowering the Cost of Photovoltaics through Innovative Augmentation;
Vehicle Technologies; Wind Technologies; Fossil Energy; Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability; and Nuclear Energy.

The deadline for submission of applications is August 4, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. EST.
For more information about the DOE FY 2010 Phase III Xlerator Program please visit the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

EDA i6 Challenge

The i6 Challenge is a new $12 million innovation competition administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF). EDA will award up to $1 million to each of six winning teams with the most innovative ideas to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in their regions. NIH and NSF will award a total of up to $6 million in supplemental funding to their SBIR grantees that are associated or partnered with the winning teams. We encourage entrepreneurs, investors, universities, foundations, and non-profits to participate in the i6 Challenge. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2010. For more information, email i6@doc.gov, check out our Frequently Asked Questions, and join the upcoming i6 Challenge conference call in June.

New rural small businesses program

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Small Business (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills have announced that the two agencies have signed an agreement to encourage sustainable growth and development of rural small businesses. The announcement was made during the National Summit of Rural America, which gathered agricultural leaders, farmers, ranchers, community leaders, and residents of rural communities to share their vision and ideas that can help rebuild and revitalize rural America.

The agreement between the SBA and USDA is designed to reach out to people and places in rural areas and small communities with underserved financial needs. Prospective small businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans also are expected to benefit from this joint effort to encourage sustainable growth and development. USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Service will provide loan guarantees, loans and grants; the Small Business Administration will provide loan guarantees.

The MOU will remain in effect for three years. Under the agreement, USDA Rural Development and SBA will use their respective resources to provide small businesses in rural areas with loan guarantees and technical assistance to help build diverse and sustainable economies, reverse population decline, create and sustain jobs, and improve quality of life. The agreement is expected to:

• Improve opportunities for small businesses to start and grow;

• Improve coordination in the delivery and development of programs; and

• Increase the number of small business loans guaranteed by USDA and SBA.

News Release

Free Workshops Planned for Veteran-, Minority- and Women-Owned Small Businesses to Participate in Recovery Act Opportunities

The departments of General Services and Environmental Protection will hold free workshops in May to help veteran-, minority- and women-owned small businesses to identify potential business opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Learn more.

Erie: Monday, May 24, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Gannon University Small Business
Development Center, 120 W. Ninth St

$200 million loan fund for small biz

[From Philanthropy Today] The banking giant Citigroup is teaming up with two nonprofit organizations on a $200-million loan fund for small firms in low- and moderate-income areas, The Washington Post writes.

Citigroup will put up $199-million for the Communities at Work Fund, with the rest coming from the Calvert Foundation, a nonprofit investment group, and the Opportunity Finance Network of community lenders. Calvert will manage the fund.

Youth Social Entrepreneurs

[From Philanthropy News Digest] Each year, YouthActionNet selects twenty young social entrepreneurs to participate in its Global Fellowship Program. Participants are chosen for the program based on their records of success in achieving positive change in their communities, their innovative approaches, and their ability to mobilize their peers and community members in support of their social change efforts.

The year-long fellowship program includes a seven-day leadership retreat, year-long skills-building programs and resources in leadership and organization management, and networking opportunities.

The program is open to all young people between the ages of 18 and 29 (as of September 1, 2010). Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of an existing organization, or a project within an organization, with a demonstrated one-year track record of leading societal change. Proficiency in English is required; applications must be submitted in English.

Applicants must be available to attend the program's full retreat, October 1-8, 2010, in Washington, D.C. (all expenses paid).

Visit the YouthActionNet Web site for complete program guidelines and an application form.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

Small biz and clean energy report

WASHINGTON – The Department of Energy today released a new report highlighting the benefits of the Recovery Act to small businesses throughout the clean, renewable energy industry and environmental management sector. The report found that as of early March 2010, small businesses have been selected to receive nearly $5.4 billion in funding across a number of Recovery Act and related programs, including loans, loan guarantees, grants, contracts and tax incentives, in partnership with the Department of Treasury. The report highlights 26 small businesses in a range of clean energy technologies, such as wind, solar, biofuels, along with critical new infrastructure, like Smart Grid, advanced batteries, energy storage, and energy efficiency tools. It also notes small businesses that are helping advance responsible environmental clean-up efforts.

Read the full report.

Scholarships for Federal careers

[From Philanthropy Today] The Robertson Foundation for Government is establishing a scholarship fund to encourage graduate students to pursue careers in federal service, The Washington Post reports.

The foundation, operated by heirs to the A&P supermarket fortune, will provide full financial support to students in the fields of national security, foreign policy, and international development who pledge to work at least three years for a federal agency within five years of graduating. The foundation will select four or five partner universities in the coming weeks, director Bill Robertson said.

The Robertson family was involved in a protracted donor-intent fight with Princeton University during the past decade over Princeton's use of a $35-million, 1961 gift intended to prepare students for careers in public service. The case was settled last year, with the university agreeing to pay some $60-million to the foundation.

Read a Chronicle of Philanthropy article about the Robertson/Princeton dispute.

Small Business Technology Program

The small business programs stimulate technological innovation in the private sector by strengthening the role of small business concerns in meeting Federal research and development needs, increasing the commercial application of federally supported research results, and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.The Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) requires researchers at universities and other research institutions to play a significant intellectual role in the conduct of each STTR project. These university-based researchers, by joining forces with a small company, can spin-off their commercially promising ideas while they remain primarily employed at the research institution.

Small Businesses Helping Investigators to Fuel the Translation of Scientific Discoveries

Purpose. The primary objectives of the SHIFT SBIR initiative are: (1) to foster research that is translational in nature and (2) to transform academic scientific discoveries into commercial products and services. Academic researchers can be a driving force for new products and services in a small business concern (SBC). A major feature of the SHIFT program includes the requirement for an investigator who is primarily employed by a United States research institution at the time of application to transition to a small business concern (SBC) and be primarily employed (more than 50% time) by the SBC by or at the time of award. A SHIFT SBIR grant enables an SBC to increase both its scientific research staff and its core competencies. The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) may also facilitate SBC licensing of intellectual property (IP) from the PD/PIs prior academic institutions, promote collaboration opportunities with academic investigators, and enable better access to academic resources. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the SBIR (R43/R44) grant mechanisms for Phase I, Phase II, and Fast-Track applications. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received. More details are available here.

ARRA and Small Biz workshop in Erie

Harrisburg – The Department of General Services and the Veterans Business Advocates Committee will hold free workshops to assist veteran-owned businesses in identifying business opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA.

· Erie, Friday, Feb. 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at Gannon University, Waldron Campus Center, Yehl Ballroom, 124 West 7th St.

The workshops will provide an overview of ARRA, discuss available business opportunities, outline resources to assist small business, and provide an opportunity to network with state agency personnel and other veteran-owned businesses. They will also include panel discussions on small business resources. Personnel will be available to provide direction on the ARRA Veteran-owned Business Enterprise certification process as well as general information on doing business with the commonwealth.

To register or for more information, visit www.recovery.state.pa.us, or contact DGS
at (717) 783-3119.

Express Loan Program

[from Go Crawford County] As part of their ongoing efforts to bolster the small business community, the nation's leading engine for economic growth, Congresswomen Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd Dist., introduced The Express Loans Improvements Act, H.R. 4598, to increase the availability and utility of SBA Express loans, a vital source of working capital for small businesses.

"Small businesses are the foundation of our economy; when small businesses succeed, they create jobs and opportunities in our communities. The tight credit market has limited small businesses' ability to grow and create new jobs in the process. This plan will give small businesses better access to credit and help community banks provide the lending our local economies need to prosper," Dahlkemper said.

The Express Loans Improvement Act would make changes to the Small Business Administration's Express Loans program, which gives an established network of lenders greater loan approval responsibility with less bureaucracy and shorter approval times. Under current law, the SBA guarantees up to 50 percent of the loan and the maximum loan size is $350,000. The proposal would raise guarantees to 75 percent for two years to address the immediate credit crunch, then to 60 percent in subsequent years, while raising the maximum Express loan value to $1 million.

To protect taxpayers, the bill directs the SBA to strengthen collateral rules and requires annual reporting to Congress on progress toward default rate reduction. The Express Loans Improvement Act has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, Small Business Council of America, American Bankers Association, the American Small Business League and the Independent Community Bankers of America.

Tax relief for small employers/nonprofits

[Chronicle of Philanthropy] President Obama plans to announce on Friday a proposal to help small employers-including nonprofit groups-hire workers and raise wages. The plan, part of a broader White House effort to bring down soaring unemployment, would give companies or charities a $5,000 federal tax credit for every net new employee they add in 2010 and reimburse them for any taxes they owe to Social Security because they have a bigger payroll.

Nonprofit groups, which are exempt from income tax, would qualify because the credits will be applied to federal payroll taxes that employers pay on behalf of their employees, a senior administration official told reporters. The official said the White House expects more than one million businesses to take advantage of the credits, for an estimated cost of $33-billion. President Obama favors using projected savings in the Troubled Asset Relief Program­-the bank bailout program, which will not cost as much as expected-to pay for the effort, he said.