
SBIR/STTR at USDA with Program Coordinator, Melinda Coffman
April 6 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT
Free
We’re excited to host a virtual information session from noon to 1:00 pm MT on Thursday, April 6, 2023 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funding opportunities designed for innovators like you!
The USDA SBIR program team will provide a detailed overview on funding opportunities and other commercialization resources that food and agricultural technology experts can use to advance their projects. This presentation is appropriate for those who are interested in bringing their business and/or research ideas to life. Topics to be covered include:
• New and current funding opportunities• Application tips and suggestions• Commercialization resources for applicants and awardees
Following the presentation there will be time for Q&A with the USDA SBIR program team.
About our guest: Melinda Coffman is has been with NIFA, as the USDA Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) Program Coordinator, since September of 2020. She manages the program, which administers Phase I and Phase II grants and works closely with the Small Business Administration.
Prior to this position, she had spent much of her career working at the University of Kansas, where she worked in social science research, consulting / training, and program evaluation.
She holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Northwest Missouri State University and an M.B.A from Benedictine College. She pursued an M.B.A. to further her interest in applying business principles to social problems. The SBIR program combines agricultural research, business principles, and public service all of which are of which are strong interests of hers
This event and the Montana Innovation Partnership powered by TechLink are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration with additional program support from the Montana Department of Commerce and Montana State University.
Contact Ann Peterson for more information, (406) 994-7788 or techlinksbir@montana.edu.