Funding Innovation: SBIR/STTR Updates and Grant Writing Workshop
About
Join IGNITE and Inspiralia Group for a two‑day, in‑person workshop designed to help founders, researchers, and innovators confidently navigate and pursue SBIR and STTR funding.
Day One will kick off with a timely look at the 2026 SBIR and STTR landscape. Participants will hear the latest updates and strategic insights on federal funding opportunities, including high‑level overviews of the SBIR/STTR program through the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of War (DoW), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), among other key government agencies. The morning session will break down current funding priorities, eligibility considerations, and how agencies evaluate proposals, giving attendees a clearer picture of where opportunities exist and how to position themselves competitively.
After lunch, the workshop shifts into action with a hands‑on Grant Writing Workshop led by Fernando Hernandez and Berta Okenve of Inspiralia Group. This session will focus on best practices for developing strong, competitive proposals, strengthening key application sections, and avoiding common mistakes, with practical guidance participants can apply immediately.
Day Two offers optional one‑on‑one consultations with Inspiralia Group. These individualized sessions provide an opportunity to discuss specific grant questions, pitch ideas, or proposal feedback related to SBIR or STTR applications. Attendees will leave with tailored insights to refine their strategy and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. To sign up for a one‑on‑one session, click here.
Agenda:
Day 1: Tuesday, June 9th, 9:00-2:00 PM
• 9:00-9:15 AM: Check-In & Coffee
• 9:15-11:15 AM: SBIR/STTR 2026 Overview, Updates, and Strategy
• 11:15-12:00 PM: Lunch (provided by IGNITE)
• 12:00-2:00 PM: Grant Writing Workshop
Day 2: Wednesday, June 10th, 9:00-12:00 PM
One on One Grant Consultations (30-minute pre-scheduled appointment). To schedule a designated time-slot for your grant consultation click here.
• 9:00-9:30 AM- 2 appointments available
• 9:30-10:00 AM- 2 appointments available
• 10:00-10:30 AM- 2 appointments available
• 10:30-11:00 AM- 2 appointments available
• 11:00-11:30 AM- 2 appointments available
• 11:30-12:00 PM- 2 appointments available
Speakers
Fernando Hernandez - Vice President of Sales and Operations at Inspiralia
As Vice President of Sales and Operations at Inspiralia USA, Fernando oversees business development and strategic partnerships. His work focuses on managing sales operations, building relationships with key stakeholders such as incubators and venture capital firms. With a background in business administration and years of experience in financial consulting, he has played a key role in expanding Inspiralia's presence in the US market. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian.
Berta Okenve - Head of NIH Projects
Berta is the Head of NIH projects at Inspiralia Group. She has supported more than 100 US and European companies to access public funding. Especially those focusing on Life Science, Biotech, and Healthcare. Her mission is to increase the innovation capacity and competitiveness of health-related SMEs to match the company requirements with specific NIH Topics. Outside of work, she loves learning new languages and enjoys outdoor activities.
Sponsors & Partners
This seminar is in partnership with Inspiralia specializes in helping companies secure innovation funding through public grants, private investment, and R&D tax incentives across U.S. They handle everything from identifying the best funding opportunities for your business to writing winning proposals, submitting complete application packages, and managing post-award compliance. Whether you’re a start-up, SME, or corporate R&D team, Inspiralia can turn your ideas into funded, market-ready innovations. Learn More.
Questions? Contact Ally Nielander at [email protected].