Stacy L ChinFounder, KeepYourEquity · I get the government to write you checks

Discover What Reviewers Look for in Intellectual Merit

21 Nov 2023 · 1 min

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In this instructional monologue, Stacy Chin explains how startup founders can secure $275,000 of non‑dilutive NSF SBIR funding by effectively addressing the Intellectual Merit review criterion. She outlines that reviewers assess (1) the uniqueness and broader scientific contribution of the innovation, (2) the creativity, originality, and transformative potential of the proposed R&D, (3) the soundness, organization, and success‑assessment mechanisms of the research plan, and (4) the qualifications of the principal investigator, team, and organization. By clearly articulating these elements, applicants can achieve high scores on Intellectual Merit and improve their chances of receiving the award.

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Do you want to get $275,000 of non-diluted funding for your startup? If so, you have to address the intellectual merit criterion within the SBIR review process for the NSF. This is how to do it. Here, the reviewers are evaluating how well your innovation will advance the knowledge or the field within that space. So in order to get a really good score in intellectual merit, your job is to describe why your innovation is so unique and how it would contribute to the industry and also the broader scientific community. Here, reviewers are evaluating your SBIR application to determine whether your R&D efforts are creative, original, and importantly, transformative. Here, reviewers are also evaluating your plan to carry out your proposed research efforts, and they're going to figure out whether it's well-reasoned, well-organized, based on a sound rationale, and whether it incorporates a mechanism to assess success. Finally, reviewers are also going to evaluate how qual— qualified the individual is, or the PI, along with your team members or the organization to carry out these proposed efforts.