Phase I vs. Phase II: 4 Tips to Structure the Right Team for Your SBIR Application
Your team is the key to SBIR grant success. Learn four essential tips for building a complementary roster that evolves from Phase I (technical focus) to Phase II (market readiness).
Written by Scout Editorial Team
When it comes to SBIR grant success, your idea and innovation matter — but your team can make or break your proposal.
Reviewers aren't just evaluating your R&D plan; they're asking, "Does this team have the expertise to actually pull this off?"
At Scout, we've supported hundreds of founders and Principal Investigators (PIs) through their SBIR journeys. And one of the most common questions we hear is:
"Who should I include as my key personnel for a Phase I vs. a Phase II SBIR proposal?"
The answer depends on your agency, your project goals, and most importantly, your phase of funding.
In this post, we'll break down four key tips for structuring a winning SBIR team — plus how your Phase I and Phase II lineups should differ.
Tip 1: Start With Your Project Goals and Technical Objectives
Before assigning titles or adding names, start with your SBIR project goals.
As a reviewer, one of the first questions I ask is:
"Does the Principal Investigator and their team have the necessary skills to achieve their proposed objectives?"
To answer that, first map out the specific technical goals of your SBIR project — and then reverse-engineer what expertise is required to meet them.
For example:
A biotech startup developing a small molecule therapeutic might need a chemist, a biostatistician, and an oncology advisor.
A medical device company would likely need expertise in biomedical engineering, product design, and regulatory compliance.
A software firm could require specialists in machine learning, data security, and UX design.
This clarity ensures that every key person you include is there for a reason — and that reviewers can quickly see your team's capability to execute the proposed R&D.
Pro Tip: Don't fill your roster with people who all have the same background. Reviewers want to see a mix of expertise that complements the PI's own skills.
Tip 2: Understand the Key Differences Between Phase I and Phase II Teams
One of the biggest mistakes founders make is reusing the same team structure for both Phase I and Phase II.
While your core innovation might stay the same, your team's focus and required expertise evolve as your project matures.
Here's a quick comparison:
Phase | Focus of Work | Team Composition | Example Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
Phase I | Establishing technical feasibility and proof of concept | Heavily technical and scientific | Principal Investigator (technical lead), engineers, research scientists, clinical advisors |
Phase II | Advancing toward commercialization and market readiness | Blend of technical and business expertise | Business development lead, regulatory specialist, manufacturing expert, commercialization strategist |
In Phase I, reviewers want to see that your team can build and validate the innovation. Your key personnel should be heavy on R&D experience.
In Phase II, reviewers expect to see you transition toward market readiness — which means adding commercial, regulatory, and operational experts who can bridge the gap between the lab and the marketplace.
Scout Insight: Many founders forget to evolve their teams after Phase I. If your Phase II application looks identical to your Phase I roster, reviewers may question your readiness for commercialization.
Tip 3: Build a Team with Complementary, Not Redundant, Expertise
Your goal as a PI isn't to surround yourself with people who mirror your own skillset — it's to fill in your gaps.
If you're a polymer chemist, don't add four more polymer chemists to your roster. Instead, bring in:
A biomedical engineer who understands application design,
A manufacturing specialist to plan for scalability, and
A clinical advisor to inform use-case validation.
This diversity of expertise strengthens your proposal and signals to reviewers that your startup has a well-rounded capability to execute the project from concept to commercialization.
Tip 4: Use Bio-Sketches to Make Every Team Member Shine
Once you've identified your team, you'll need to back it up with strong bio-sketches.
Every SBIR application — both Phase I and Phase II — requires a bio-sketch for each senior key personnel. These are not just formalities; reviewers read them carefully to gauge credibility and fit.
Each bio-sketch should include:
Name, title, and company role
Education and relevant training
Work and research experience
Honors, awards, and publications
A short personal statement summarizing your fit for the project
If you're submitting to NIH, be sure to use their official bio-sketch format (which includes a half-page narrative written in the first person). For NSF, the structure and requirements are slightly different — so always double-check the solicitation instructions.
Formatting Reminder: Small details matter. Incorrect fonts, spacing, or missing sections can lead to administrative rejection before review — and you definitely don't want that.
Putting It All Together
Building a winning SBIR team isn't about listing impressive names — it's about aligning expertise with your project's objectives and phase.
Here's a quick recap:
Tip | Takeaway |
|---|---|
1 | Start by defining your project's goals and the expertise needed to achieve them |
2 | Adjust your team between Phase I (technical focus) and Phase II (commercial focus) |
3 | Build a complementary team that fills gaps in your skillset |
4 | Use polished, compliant bio-sketches to highlight each member's value |
A strong, well-structured team tells reviewers that your startup is serious, capable, and ready to deliver on its proposal.
Need Help Structuring Your SBIR Team?
At Scout, we help founders build smarter SBIR applications — from technical narratives to team bios and beyond. Our grant writing software and expert insights make it easier to structure, write, and submit competitive proposals.
If you're preparing for your Phase I or Phase II SBIR submission, let Scout simplify the process.
👉 Start your free trial or connect with our SBIR specialists to get personalized guidance for your next proposal.