Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) Newsletter
No. 20-05
(Past Newsletter Issues)

1.0 BIG HORN VALVE, SHERIDAN, WINS NASA PHASE II

Congratulations to Big Horn Valve of Sheridan on their recent NASA Phase II award!

Project Title: In-Space Cryogenic VOST Connect/Disconnect
Principle Investigator: Zachary Gray
Email: zg@WyomingSilicon.com
Award: $600,000
Abstract: Two novel cryogenic couplings will be designed, fabricated and tested. Intended for in-space use at cryogenic propellant depots, the couplings are based on patented Venturi-Offset Technology (VOST) and will provide small fluid and heat leakage at high flows with a low pressure drop. Entirely mechanical, insertion opens the passage, removal closes the passage. Mating force and alignment requirements are small. With only eight major parts, reliability is high and mass is low. Redundant seals, integrated health measurements, and robotic control are possible.

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3.0 FREE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE TO NATIONAL SBIR CONFERENCE IN ALBANY

The National Science Foundation EPSCoR program will cover the registration fees for five eligible Wyoming applicants. In addition, the Wyoming EPSCoR program will provide partial travel reimbursement funds.

Complete details regarding the Albany conference are available in Section 5.4 of this newsletter.

Contact Jill Kline as soon as possible, to find out if you are eligible.

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5.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS

5.1 GRO-BIZ SPONSORS VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS CONFERENCE OCTOBER 19, 2005 IN ROCK SPRINGS

The Wyoming GRO-Biz (Government Resources and Opportunities for Business) office will be holding a Veteran Owned Business Conference October 19, 2005 in Rock Springs. The Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn and will be a one day event starting at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 5:00 p.m. Participating agencies include: General Services Administration (GSA), Veterans Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, Hill AFB, and the National Park Service. There will be opportunities to attend training sessions or to meet one on one with officials from the various agencies. All presentations and training will be targeted to veteran owned businesses and the opportunities they have in the government contracting arena.

The luncheon will include a presentation by a representative from The Center for Veterans Enterprise.

• Registration is $60 on or before October 10th and $70 after October 10th. Registrations after the 14th will have to be made on the morning of the conference and will be $70.
• Lunch will be included with your registration
• Make checks payable to UW/Veterans
• To register by phone: 1-877-733-3618 ext. 1 or 307-766-2124 or fax 307-766-3914, you must use a VISA/MasterCard, or AMEX card.
• To register online visit: outreach.uwyo.edu/eventmanager/OnlineRegistration.asp?EventCode=B9Y

GRO-Biz is a partnership program funded by the Defense Logistics Agency, Wyoming Business Council, University of Wyoming and included with the Small Business Development Center. GRO-biz helps Wyoming's businesses sell their services and products to federal, state, and local governments.. GRO-Biz's marketing specialists help identify opportunities and understand the process from start to finish, so you can compete for a share of this business. Resources available are trained counselors, computer bid information and databases of procurement history that may help you with pricing and a knowledge and understanding of government contracting procedures. Armed with these valuable tools and skills, GRO-Biz is ready to help your business or service grow through government contracting. All Services are Free and Confidential.

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5.2 STATE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE'S (SSTI) 9th ANNUAL CONFERENCE


Investing In A Brighter Future, Building Tech-based Economies
Where: Atlanta, GA, InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
When: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 to Friday, October 21, 2005


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

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5.3 GRANTS 101: PROFESSIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP


THE GRANT INSTITUTE
GRANTS 101: Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop
University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
November 7 - 9, 2005
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Grant Institute’s Grants 101 Course is an intensive and detailed introduction to the process, structure, and skill of professional proposal writing. This course is characterized by its ability to act as a thorough overview, introduction, and refresher at the same time. In this course, participants will learn the entire proposal writing process and complete the course with a solid understanding of not only the ideal proposal structure, but a holistic understanding of the essential factors, which determine whether or not a program gets funded. Through the completion of interactive exercises and activities, participants will complement expert lectures by putting proven techniques into practice. This course is designed for both the beginner looking for a thorough introduction and the intermediate looking for a refresher course that will strengthen their grant acquisition skills. This class, simply put, is designed to get results by creating professional grant proposal writers.

Participants will become competent program planning and proposal writing professionals after successful completion of the Grants 101 course. In three active and informative days, students will be exposed to the art of successful grant writing practices, and led on a journey that ends with a masterful grant proposal.

Grants 101 consists of three (3) courses that will be completed during the three-day workshop.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PROGRAM PLANNING
This course is centered on the belief that "it’s all about the program." This intensive course will teach professional program development essentials and program evaluation. While most grant writing "workshops" treat program development and evaluation as separate from the writing of a proposal, this class will teach students the relationship between overall program planning and grant writing.

PROFESSIONAL GRANT WRITING
Designed for both the novice and experienced grant writer, this course will make each student an overall proposal writing specialist. In addition to teaching the basic components of a grant proposal, successful approaches, and the do’s and don’ts of grant writing, this course is infused with expert principles that will lead to a mastery of the process. Strategy resides at the forefront of this course’s intent to illustrate grant writing as an integrated, multidimensional, and dynamic endeavor. Each student will learn to stop writing the grant and to start writing the story. Ultimately, this class will illustrate how each component of the grant proposal represents an opportunity to use proven techniques for generating support.

GRANT RESEARCH
At its foundation, this course will address the basics of foundation, corporation, and government grant research. However, this course will teach a strategic funding research approach that encourages students to see research not as something they do before they write a proposal, but as an integrated part of the grant seeking process. Students will be exposed to online and database research tools, as well as publications and directories that contain information about foundation, corporation, and government grant opportunities. Focusing on funding sources and basic social science research, this course teaches students how to use research as part of a strategic grant acquisition effort.

REGISTRATION
$597.00 tuition includes all materials and certificates.
Each student will receive:


• The Grant Institute Certificate in Professional Grant writing
• The Grant Institute’s Guide to Successful Grant Writing
• A to Z Grant Writing
• The Grant Institute Grant Writer’s Workbook with sample proposals, forms, and outlines

REGISTRATION METHODS


1. On-Line -Visit www.thegrantinstitute.com and click on the Registration area. Fill out the online registration form completely. We’ll send your confirmation by e-mail.
2. By Phone - Call toll free (888) 824 - 4424 to register by phone. Our friendly Program Coordinators will be happy to assist you and answer your questions.
3. By E-mail - Send an e-mail with your name, organization, and basic contact information to info@thegrantinstitute.com and we will reserve your slot and send your Confirmation Packet.

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5.4 REGISTER NOW FOR NATIONAL FALL SBIR CONFERENCE IN ALBANY, NY, NOVEMBER 14-17



Whether you are new to the Program, have received your first Phase I, or are a multiple award winner, the sessions offered in Albany this Fall will help you enhance your participation in the SBIR/STTR Program.

Sessions will focus on information you need in order to take Your Concept all the way through the Program to Commercialization. Tips on how to Leverage Resources to make the most of Your Potential will be provided during the three tracks of programming.

Complete conference information is available at: 2005 National Fall Conference

The Advance Full Registration Fee, received by October 25, is $350. Registrations received after October 25 and On-Site will be $425. In addition to Full Conference Registration, one or multiple-day Registrations are available, as are discounts for multiple attendees (3 or more) from a single small business (less than 500 employees). Please note that pre-Conference registration will close on Tuesday, November 1. After this date, registration will only be available On-site in Albany.
Link here for additional Conference Fees and Registration information.

Link here for hotel accommodation information.

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7.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PUBLICATION INFORMATION

TO BE ADDED TO OR REMOVED FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THIS NEWSLETTER, SEND NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO jillkline@vcn.com.

Prepared by: Jill Kline, WSSI Outreach Coordinator, 307.682.2660 or toll free in Wyoming, 866.703.3280, jillkline@vcn.com, and Gene Watson, WSSI Program Manager, 307.742.7162, ewatson@wyoming.com.

This newsletter is published every other week as part of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI). The mission of the Initiative is to increase the number of federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program awards to Wyoming. The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) funds the initiative which is administered by the University of Wyoming Research Office. Please contact Jill Kline (see contact information above) with your comments.

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