For full story: http://www.usda.gov/2006/06/0219.xml Release No. 0219.06 Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188 USDA AWARDS MORE THAN $7 MILLION IN SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH GRANTS WASHINGTON, June 27, 2006 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced today that 97 small businesses from 37 states will receive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grants totaling more than $7.2 million. "Small Business Innovation Research grants have helped hundreds of small businesses explore innovative ideas, leading to the development of new and better agricultural products and services," said Johanns. "USDA's support of this program is a part of our commitment to foster opportunities for small businesses and strengthen our economy." The primary objectives of the SBIR program are to stimulate technological innovations in the private sector and to strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting federal research and development needs. The program also fosters and encourages participation by women-owned and socially- or economically-disadvantaged small business firms. Companies initially apply for Phase I feasibility studies, which may be followed by Phase II research and development projects. Phase I grants are limited to $80,000 and a duration of eight months, while Phase II grants are limited to $300,000 and a duration of 24 months. Approximately 50 percent of Phase I projects continue onto Phase II. Descriptions of funded projects can be found online at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/sbir/sbir_abstracts.html. USDA is one of 11 federal departments and agencies required to reserve 2.5 percent of their extramural research and development dollars for small businesses. Since 1983, the USDA SBIR program has awarded more than 1,900 research and development grants to American-owned, independently operated, for-profit businesses with 500 employees or less. USDA's SBIR program is administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) with funding provided by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Agricultural Research Service, CSREES the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Rural Development-Rural Cooperative Business Services and the U.S. Forest Service. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education, and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit http://www.csrees.usda.gov. # Note to Reporters: USDA news releases and program announcements are available on the Internet. Go to the CSREES newsroom at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/newsroom.html. Also, anyone with an e-mail address can sign up to receive CSREES press releases automatically. Send an e-mail message to news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and leave the subject blank. In the message, type 'subscribe news'. USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to mailto:webservices@xxxxxxxx?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE and reference your email address.
