To clarify intellectual property responsibilities for agreements under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), in conjunction with the Office of Technology Commercialization 
(OTC) and the Conflict of Interest Office (COI) has updated the SBIR/STTR Guidance webpage, SBIR/STTR Administrative Guidance (PDF)and the SBIR/STTR Letter of Intent (PDF). Other items in the SBIR/STTR Administrative Guidance have also been updated for clarity.
Guidance Page
The following has been added to the About the Programs tab:
“It is the responsibility of the PI and Department that is working with SBIR/STTR companies to notify them of the requirement that businesses submitting grant applications dependent upon UNC intellectual property (patent pending subject matter, software, materials, or know-how) must disclose this dependency to the UNC Office of Technology Commercialization at the time of application. The business must complete an option or license agreement for the UNC intellectual property in the event that such a grant is funded, and the business accepts the award. Research agreements with UNC will be held for final signature until the option or license is completed. Questions regarding this requirement and disclosure procedures should be directed to otc@unc.edu.“
Letter of Intent (LOI)
The following has been added to the SBIR/STTR LOI:
- Certification language: “Prime Awardee has executed an option or license agreement for any UNC intellectual property upon which is planned to be used in this project.“
- Prime Awardee Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is now required.
For help with questions about a specific agreement, please contact your OSP Sponsored Program Specialist/Officer . All other questions, email SponsoredPrograms@unc.edu.