Blog
Practical guidance on SBIR, STTR, and other non-dilutive funding from the BW&CO team. Read about agency programs, proposal strategy, compliance after award, and new funding opportunities for deep-tech, biotech, medtech, and defense founders.
Three funding moves to make after the election
Three practical funding moves for deep-tech founders: get reliable agency guidance, pursue other well-matched funders, and combine grants with private investment.
NASA SBIR TABA: How to Use Up to $56,500 for Commercialization Help
NASA SBIR and STTR proposers can request up to $6,500 in Phase I and $50,000 in Phase II for outside commercialization help. See what TABA covers and how to request it.
Talk to NASA Before the Topics Drop: How the SBIR Blackout Period Works
NASA SBIR and STTR technical experts go quiet once topics are released. Learn when the blackout starts, who to contact at NASA now, and how to prepare for appendix 27A.
NIH SBIR Funding Fell 17% in FY2026: What It Means for FY2027
NIH SBIR and STTR grant funding fell about 17% in FY2026 after the six-month program lapse. See what changed, what carries over to FY2027, and how to plan under the new nine-application cap.
How to Choose an SBIR Consulting Firm for Deep-Tech Startups
What to look for in an SBIR consulting firm, from fit assessment and technical depth to verifiable results and clear pricing, plus the questions to ask and red flags to avoid before you sign.
SBIR Proposal Caps in FY2027: How Many Proposals Each Agency Allows
Starting in FY2027, every SBIR/STTR agency must cap how many proposals one company can submit. HHS/NIH allows nine per year, NSF two Project Pitches, NASA two proposals, and DoW limits proposals per topic. Here is how to plan around the new limits.
NIH Foreign Risk Denials: Why Your Consultants and Contractors Matter Most
NIH denied every SBIR/STTR application it flagged for foreign ties in 2023 and 2024, and more than half of HHS denials trace to consultants or contractors. Here is what founders should screen before they submit.
You Just Got Your NIH Phase I Award: What’s Next?
Just won an NIH SBIR or STTR Phase I? A compliance specialist’s plain-English guide to your first 60 days: drawdowns, allowable costs, reporting traps, money first-time awardees miss, and how to start positioning for Phase II.
Does the Continuing Resolution Mean My SBIR Won’t Be Funded?
No. SBIR is authorized through 2031 and funded as a share of agency R&D budgets that continue under the CR. The real risk is slower award decisions.