One key question to be thinking through at the start of your federal journey is your technology’s technology readiness level (TRL).
The TRL is a measure of how mature a technology is, from basic research (TRL 1) to fully operational (TRL 9).
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a competitive funding opportunity that supports research and development of innovative technologies by small businesses. The SBIR program has three phases, each corresponding to a different range of TRLs.
So what do these numbers mean, and how do you know where you are? Let’s break it down using one of life’s greatest delicacies: ice cream!
Are the basic principles of your technology observed and reported?
In other words, has your technology gone beyond a paper study of basic properties?
You walked outside on a hot summer day and said, “Hmm.. I’m hungry. What if I could make something that both satisfies my hunger and cools me off a bit.”
Is your technology and/or application formulated?
In other words- has a lab taken your research and put it into capabilities testing?
You grabbed your recipe card, and started to write down all of the ingredients and the overall process that needs to be implemented to make these iced dessert dreams a reality.
Has your technology and/or application undergone analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept.
In other words- have you investigated whether your technology might have a Department of Defense application.
You go to the store, and you buy: milk, heavy cream, and vanilla.
Has your technology and/or application undergone component and/or in a laboratory environment?
In other words- have your basic technological components been integrated to establish that they will work together?
You mix all the ingredients together, and throw it into the ice cream maker, adding ice and salt to the outside as needed.
Have you conducted a component and/or breadboard validation in a relevant environment?
In other words, have you exposed your technology to real life conditions in a simulated environment?
You move the ice cream maker outside, and keep adding the ice and salt as needed.
Have you conducted a system/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment?
In other words, is your prototype near, or at, planned operational system?
The mixture is starting to thicken, as you hoped.
Have you conducted a System prototype demonstration in an operational environment.
In other words, have you exposed your technology to real life conditions in a relevant environment?
You’re thinking the ice cream is ready to scoop into a bowl.
Is your actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration.
In other words, has your technology been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions.
Bi-golly, you might have it. That sure looks like a bowl of ice cream, even in this heat!
Has your actual system been proven through successful mission operations?
In other words, has the actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in operational test and evaluation.
Add some crushed Oreos into that bowl and take a bite! You’ve got yourself some ice cream!