SBIR Resubmission Strategy
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IL FAST Center x mHub Present:
Navigating SBIR in 2026: What's New & How to Resubmit Successfully
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs remain among the most powerful funding opportunities available to early-stage technology companies, but the landscape is evolving. If you've been keeping an eye on federal funding or have a proposal that didn't make it through the first time, this is the session you don't want to miss.
The Illinois FAST Center is partnering with mHub to bring you an in-depth, in-person session led by Anna Lisa Somera, a seasoned SBIR consultant with extensive experience guiding startups and researchers through the federal funding process.
WHAT WE'LL COVER:
1. SBIR Reauthorization: Key Updates at a Glance
The SBIR program has undergone significant updates through recent reauthorization legislation. Anna Lisa will provide a concise overview of what these changes mean for applicants, including shifts in eligibility, funding structures, and agency priorities, so you can position your company strategically from the start.
2. SBIR Resubmission Strategy: Turning a No into a Yes
A declined proposal isn't the end of the road. In fact, many successful SBIR awardees received funding on their second or third attempt. This portion of the session will dive into how to critically evaluate reviewer feedback, strengthen your narrative and technical approach, and reframe your application for a more competitive resubmission.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Anna Lisa Somera is a grant consultant with the Illinois FAST Center, a serial medtech entrepreneur, and a co-founder of Rhaeos. With a proven track record of securing both non-dilutive and dilutive funding across multiple ventures, she brings firsthand insight into the full funding landscape. Her deep SBIR/STTR expertise combined with her experience as a founder means she doesn't just know the federal funding playbook, she's lived it. At the Illinois FAST Center, she works closely with Illinois-based small businesses and startups to craft compelling proposals and navigate the path to federal funding success.
ABOUT IL FAST CENTER:
The Illinois FAST Center, housed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, provides no-cost consulting and educational programming to help Illinois-based small businesses successfully compete for federal R&D funding through the SBIR and STTR programs. Please visit the IL FAST website for more information and resources available to Illinois-based small businesses.
Venue
Classroom
Location
1623 W Fulton St. Get Directions
Date and Time
05/06/26 @ 2:00 PM
05/06/26 @ 2:00 PM
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