The U.S. Small Business Administration is introducing a series of free online tutorials to help entrepreneurs learn how to apply for SBIR and STTR grants.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide early-stage R&D funding for small companies. Every year, the program puts $2.5 billion into these innovative businesses. Symantec, iRobot, Qualcomm and other major companies are past recipients of SBIR and STTR funding.

The new SBIR and STTR tutorials encompass 10 different courses, with 52 individual modules. They cover SBIR registration requirements, information about the different participating agencies, data rights and more. You can access them at www.sba.gov/tutorials.

“We know there are many small businesses in rural communities as well as young entrepreneurs that are unaware of this amazing program,” said Mark Walsh, SBA’s associate administrator for investment and innovation.

“SBA has pulled together resources from across the federal government, providing them in a format easily accessible on mobile devices, while allowing users to select just the information they need.”

Prefer to learn face to face? The Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City regularly hosts workshops on applying for SBIR and STTR grants. The next one will be on Sept. 14—learn more at this website.