Each year, more than $2 billion in grants are awarded to technology companies across the United States by federal agencies looking for the private-sector intellectual horsepower needed to commercialize new technologies.

Part of Kris Johansen’s job is to help Iowa’s high-tech companies secure as much of that funding as possible through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program.

On June 5, an inaugural SBIR/STTR Conference will be held at Iowa State University, said Johansen, director of the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer at ISU. The theme for the conference, which is expected to become an annual event, is “Partnerships for Innovation in Manufacturing.”

“We’re focusing on manufacturing at this conference because that’s a priority for all (federal) agencies participating in this program,” she said. Annual grants of up to $100,000 in Phase 1 funding are available to companies with fewer than 500 employees to develop a proof of concept for a technological application, with subsequent Phase 2 grants of up to $750,000 to develop a working prototype of a product.

The daylong conference will include sessions on the basics of the program as well as information on opportunities for manufacturers, university resources and success stories. Awards will also be presented to Iowa companies that have used the program to develop innovative products.

After peaking in 2003, the number of SBIR/STTR grants received by Iowa companies fell off sharply as a result of state budget cuts that reduced support staff to assist companies in applying for the grants. However, the number of grants received has increased in each of the past two fiscal years, Johansen said.

“I think part of that is awareness,” said Johansen, who conducts proposal workshops and performs other outreach activities in addition to working directly with companies in developing their grant proposals. Additionally, her office operates using royalty income from intellectual property it has licensed, rather than state funding.

So far during fiscal year 2007, which ends June 30, grants worth approximately $4 million have been awarded to 11 Iowa companies for Phase 1 funding and six companies for Phase 2 funding. That’s up from $3.3 million awarded in fiscal 2006 and $2.5 million in fiscal 2005, Johansen said.

The intellectual property office provides assistance at no cost to the companies. Also attractive to participating companies is that they don’t have to give up any equity in the company or pay back a loan, she said.

Registration for the conference is $40 through May 21, or $60 through the day of the conference. Exhibit space is also available for $150 per booth.

For more information about the conference or to register, visit http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/sbir/home.html