All proposals for the NASA SBIR/STTR must be in electronic form and be submitted through the NASA Electronic Handbook. To begin the submission process, you must first register in the NASA Electronic Handbook at https://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/sbir/phase1/submissions/index.html.

The NASA solicitation and complete information is available at sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/SBIR/sbirsttr2005/solicitation/index.html.

Whether or not you're new to the SBIR program, take advantage of the WSSI Phase 0 program. You have about 17 days to develop your Phase 0 for the August 1 closing. Remember, the FAST grant award provided an additional $35,000 of Phase 0 award money this year. That means the WSSI will be able to award up to four Phase 0 awards several months this year.

All participants are eligible for one award per calendar quarter.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Jill Kline, toll-free at 866-703-3280.

SmallBizU is for those individuals seeking thought-leadership. Designed specifically for small businesses, this online university seeks to instill a formal business intelligence--the capacity to solve problems, meet challenges, and create valued products

Those abilities break down into three basic domains: The ability to learn and think strategically, the essential crafts we learn to get work done, and the ability to manage ourselves and our relationships.

SmallBizU tells you how it's actually done in a small business not in a textbook. The creators of these courses have all honed their skills in the trenches of real small businesses. Some have succeeded big-time. Some have failed miserably. But all have much to share.

From new ventures, to business managers, to entrepreneurs, to master level classes, SmallBizU has a range of courses across all functional areas of small business. Take advantage of this just-in-time desktop university!

SmallBizU is sponsored by the Wyoming Small Business Development Center to keep course fees to a minimum - each course is only $10.

SmallBizU teaches the 3M's: Money, Marketing, and Management. This is done through a no-frills, utilitarian curriculum that provides small businesses with real world tools and information. (A fourth "M" is coming soon - "Master's" classes.)

Follow this link to the SmallBizU website to learn more.

Overview: For a few days this fall, more than 300 of the nation's greatest thinkers and practitioners for building tech-based economies will convene in Atlanta.

• Some will seek better ways to commercialize innovations coming out of their universities and businesses.
  
• Some will want methods to improve the delivery of their entrepreneurial assistance or research grant programs.
• Some will question the direction - or even existence - of our national innovation policies and research funding priorities.
• Some will look for new approaches, new thinking for increasing local access to risk capital.

All of them will find answers in Atlanta - at the premier professional development event of the year for the tech-based economic development community. The only question remaining is will you be among them?

Complete information is available on the SSTI's website at: www.ssti.org/conference05.htm.
Seating is limited.Register online today to avoid missing this unique opportunity.

What to expect at SSTI’s 9th Annual Conference

• in-depth examinations of some of the best state and regional approaches to cultivate a bright economic future
  
• unparalleled networking with the right people within the tech-based economic development community
  
• stimulating dialogue and thought-provoking exchange between great thinkers, old friends and new peers from across the country
  
• renewed energy and personal resolve to address the challenges of strengthening your state or local economy