RFID Technology: Government Sponsored Research Programs...

SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small business to explore their technological potential and provides 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.

SBIR targets the entrepreneurial sector because that is where most innovation and innovators thrive. However, the risk and expense of conducting serious R&D efforts are often beyond the means of many small businesses. By reserving a specific percentage of federal R&D funds for small business, SBIR protects the small business and enables it to compete on the same level as larger businesses. SBIR funds the critical startup and development stages and it encourages the commercialization of the technology, product, or service, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy.

Example of RFID Projects:

Expertise Needed - Looking for Research Institute with specialization in Radio Freq Identification Technologies (RFID) research and applications and interested in STTR collaborative opportunities. Expertise Provided - Innovative concepts in the application of RFID technologies to address public safety and other human and environmental safety concerns.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was reauthorized in December of 2000 for a period of 8 years (September 30, 2008). The reauthorization legislation included some significant enhancements to the program, one of which will provide additional small business data rights protection, and more a balanced program overall for small business concerns and the federal government. Another significant enhancement to the program was the establishment of the Federal and State Technology Partnership program or FAST. The legislation states that the SBA shall establish FAST to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small business concerns in states. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the American Samoa are eligible to participate in the FAST program. FAST will be a competitive grants program, that will allow each state to receive funding in the form of a grant to provide an array of services in support of the SBIR program. Any individual, organization, or entity in a state is eligible to participate in the FAST program.