ies.ed.gov Connecting Research, Policy and Practice Edward Metz, Ph.D. U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences “A Government Program Every American Ed-Tech Startup Should Know About” The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
ies.ed.gov ED/IES SBIR funds small businesses for R&D of commercially viable education technology products for students, teachers, or administrators in regular or special education. About ED/IES SBIR
ies.ed.gov Website: New to the Program? Resources for ED/IES SBIR
ies.ed.gov 5 Examples to Get Started About ED/IES SBIR
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ies.ed.gov FY 2016: ED/IES SBIR Info Eligibility: For-profit small business <500 employees, US owned and operated (note: non-profits can be subs) RFP opens/closes: Likely Dec., 2015 / Likely late Jan. or Feb., 2016 Awards: Phase I ($150K); Phase II ($900K) Topics: Products for students, teachers, and administrators in regular and special education, and products to support adult learners in basic math, reading, and writing. Review Process: Internal independent review, proposals are scored/ranked & awards based on scores. Award Notification within 90 days.
ies.ed.gov ED/IES SBIR: Recent Award #’s 11 Phase I awards (out of 184 proposals- 7%) 3 Fast-Track awards 6 Phase II awards 12 Phase I awards (out of 252 proposals- 4%) 2 Fast-Track awards 1 Phase II awards 13 Phase I award (out of 172 proposals – 8%) 8 Phase II awards
ies.ed.gov Top 6 “Have to Have” List What does one need for a strong proposal to IES SBIR? Examples of products of IES SBIR program:
ies.ed.gov #1: Strong concept with a clear “differentiator” #2: Strong theoretical/empirical foundation #3: It can be built. It can be iteratively refined #4: Pilot research is rigorous and appropriate #5: Commercial pathways are convincing #6: The team brings the expertise “6 Have to Haves”
ies.ed.gov IES SBIR Program: Where are we now? Since 2014, IES SBIR products were used by ~2M students and in 20,000+ schools in all 50 states. Typical distribution channels: app stores; direct sales; licensing agreements; VC funding; acquisition Research-based program: many peer-refereed academic journal articles details findings from research. Significant Awards & Recognition….
ies.ed.gov ED/IES SBIR News & Awards
ies.ed.gov Across SBIR: Games Emerge
ies.ed.gov Another Program to Know About Funding Opportunity for Ed Tech R&D or Evaluation Research Grants Programs at IES $1.5M to $3M for R&D & evaluation of interventions. RFA likely released in 2016 with applications likely due in summer, 2016 For more information, visit
ies.ed.gov For more information ED/IES SBIR Program Manager Edward Metz, Ph.D. Website: Videos: