Know what you're getting into

SBIR is a highly competitive program. Only top applicants will be awarded first-round funding and have a possibility to apply later for Phase II grants. So do your homework before plunging in and get the application exactly right.

I recommend: The Small Business Administration and SBIRworld.com are good places to get a quick education about SBIR funding. For a more comprehensive overview, go to SBIR Gateway, which has links to SBIR news updates, participating agencies, events and assistance services.

Narrow your scope

Each of the 11 federal departments participating in SBIR has some money to hand out. Check out the individual agencies' Web sites to review their guidelines, requirements and projects they're interested in funding. Then, target the group that would be best served by your R&D.

I recommend: The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Standards and Technology all have individual sites listing available grants and recent awards.

Get a coach

If you want to shore up your chances for getting a piece of the pot, think about hiring a professional who knows about the application process, has helped other small businesses win awards and can review your pre-application qualifications.

I recommend: SBIR Coach is a good starting point for exploring these kinds of services, as well as SBIRworld.com, which also provides links to key events highlighting the do's and don'ts of participating in the government funding program.