How Much Does an SBIR Grant Writer Cost? Pricing, ROI, and What to Expect

How Much Does an SBIR Grant Writer Cost?

Hiring an SBIR grant writer is one of the smartest investments a small business can make when pursuing federal SBIR funding. But how much does it cost, and what kind of return can you expect? This guide breaks down SBIR grant writing pricing, what influences cost, and how to evaluate the ROI.

SBIR Grant Writer Pricing Models

1. Fixed Fee Per Proposal

The most common pricing model. The grant writer charges a flat fee for writing a complete SBIR proposal.

Phase I Proposal: $5,000 - $15,000
Phase II Proposal: $10,000 - $30,000
What is included: Technical writing, commercialization plan, budget development, formatting, and submission support

2. Hourly Rate

Some consultants charge by the hour, especially for partial support.

Typical Range: $100 - $300 per hour
Phase I Total Hours: 40-100 hours typical
Best For: Companies that want help with specific sections rather than a full proposal

3. Success Fee (Percentage of Award)

Some grant writers charge a percentage of the award if funded.

Typical Range: 5-15% of the award amount
Important Note: Success fees are controversial. Some agencies (particularly NIH) have policies discouraging or restricting contingency fees. Check agency guidelines before agreeing to this model.

4. Retainer Model

For companies planning multiple submissions, a monthly retainer can be cost-effective.

Typical Range: $2,000 - $8,000 per month
Best For: Companies pursuing multiple SBIR applications across agencies

What Influences SBIR Grant Writing Costs?

Agency Complexity

Different agencies have different requirements. NIH proposals tend to be the most complex and expensive to write due to the specific aims, research strategy, and detailed review criteria. DoD proposals can be shorter but require deep understanding of defense technology needs. NSF proposals require strong emphasis on innovation and broader impacts.

Technical Depth

The more specialized your technology, the more expensive the grant writing may be. Proposals for advanced biotech, quantum computing, or aerospace technology require writers with specific domain expertise.

Writer Experience

Experienced SBIR grant writers with high success rates command premium fees. A writer with a 30-40% win rate may charge more than a newer writer, but the investment often pays for itself.

Level of Support Needed

Costs vary based on how much the company can contribute:

Full write: Grant writer handles everything (most expensive)
Collaborative write: Company provides technical content, writer structures and polishes (moderate)
Review and edit: Company writes draft, writer refines (least expensive)

The ROI of Hiring an SBIR Grant Writer

Consider the math on a typical Phase I proposal:

Grant writer cost: $8,000 - $12,000
Phase I award: $150,000 - $275,000
ROI if funded: 15x - 35x return on investment

Even accounting for the fact that not every proposal wins, the expected value is strongly positive. If a grant writer has a 25% success rate and charges $10,000 per proposal, your expected return is still substantial since SBIR grants are non-dilutive funding that never needs to be repaid.

Phase II ROI

Grant writer cost: $15,000 - $25,000
Phase II award: $750,000 - $1,750,000
ROI if funded: 30x - 115x return on investment

What to Look for in an SBIR Grant Writer

Track Record

Ask for their success rate (win rate) on SBIR proposals
Request references from previous clients
Look for experience with your specific agency (NIH, NSF, DoD)

Domain Expertise

Do they understand your technology area?
Have they written for your target agency and topic?
Can they speak knowledgeably about your market and competitive landscape?

Process and Communication

Clear timeline and milestones
Regular communication throughout the process
Willingness to incorporate your feedback and technical expertise

Understanding of Requirements

Knowledge of SBIR eligibility requirements
Experience with SAM.gov registration and agency portals
Understanding of the differences between SBIR and STTR

DIY vs Hiring a Professional

When to Write It Yourself

You have previous SBIR experience and success
You have strong writing skills and time to dedicate
Budget is extremely limited
You are applying to a smaller, less competitive agency

When to Hire a Professional

This is your first SBIR proposal
You are targeting a competitive agency like NIH or DoD
The potential award is large (Phase II, $1M+)
Your team's time is better spent on technical work
You have submitted before and not been funded

Red Flags to Watch For

Guaranteed funding: No one can guarantee an SBIR award. Walk away from anyone who promises this.
Template-based writing: Each proposal must be custom-written for the specific solicitation and topic
No SBIR-specific experience: General grant writers may not understand SBIR's unique requirements
Hidden fees: Ensure the quote includes all services (writing, budget, formatting, submission support)
No involvement of your team: Your technical expertise is essential. Avoid writers who do not involve you in the process.

Get a Free Consultation

At MJP Grant Consulting, we offer transparent pricing and a proven track record of SBIR success across multiple agencies. We help companies avoid common proposal mistakes and develop winning proposals from Phase I through Phase III.

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How Much Does an SBIR Grant Writer Cost? Pricing, ROI, and What to Expect