How does the Small
Business Administration work?
Government agencies
offer their own SBIR grant program. They typically give awards in two
tranches:
1 - Maximum of $100,000
2 - Maximum of $750,000
While each agency has its own criteria and selection process, the
selection team will look at grant applications based on track record,
viability and funding requirements.
How to Apply for Small
Business Administration Grants
The next step if you
want to apply for a grant is to follow these steps:
- Apply –
contact the local SBA office and request a copy of the grant
documentation.
- Contact –
arrange to meet one of the SBA or agency team to get a feel for the
type of projects they are funding.
- Deadlines –
see if you can respond to the grantseeker’s request within the time
frames. There is no point writing the grant document if you won’t be
able to submit it on time.
- Network –
contact your local chamber of commerce and work with others who’ve
applied for these grants. See what lessons they’ve learned and what
you need to do to increase your chances.
- Start – you
can't write a grant proposal in one sitting. It’s a bit like eating an
elephant. Take it one chunk at a time. Then you’ll get there.
- Review – get
a trusted colleague to review your grant application. Don’t ask for
compliments. Instead ask them to identify the potholes and other
mistakes that run through your proposal.
- Edit – update
the proposal based on the feedback. Revise the weaker section and
focus on the critical chapters, such as Costs and Team.
- Proof – print
out the grant proposal and make sure it meets the requirements as per
the bid document. Don’t risk getting eliminated because you failed to
read the Request For Proposal correctly.
- Submit –
print, package and submit the document ahead of schedule.
And then wait…
Getting Grants for the
Small Business Administration
If all goes well and
you get the grant, then break out the champagne. Make sure to thank
everyone who helped get you there.
This is one of those steps that ‘winners’ overlook.
ALWAYS thank those who got you there. It’s a nice touch and shows you
value their time and effort.
Because… you will need them in the future again. So, think long term
when networking.
Also, if you don’t get the grant, contact everyone and thank them.
This is equally as important.
Share what you learned with them as this may help them with their own
bids. Also, send a personal thank you note to those who went the extra
yard.
I do this every Friday to keep me grounded and remind myself that
success is better when shared with others.
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