How Wayne Sternberger’s Clinical Device Gained NSF Funding Through the SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab
With over a generation of experience as an engineer and inventor, Wayne Sternberger set out to elevate patient care and safety in regional anesthetics with a second-generation clinical device. Despite being an accomplished grant writer, this was his first venture into NSF proposals. Leveraging the SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab, Sternberger mastered the intricacies of NSF requirements and secured Phase I funding, advancing his medical device prototype to improve anesthesia outcomes and reduce opioid use.
Although Sternberger had prior experience with NIH proposal submissions, navigating NSF’s distinct requirements posed a new challenge. He quickly recognized the need for targeted support to address nuances such as budget structuring, pre-submission protocols, and formatting specific to NSF’s rigorous review process. Ensuring his innovative project met NSF’s exacting standards was critical to gaining the attention it deserved.
The SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab offered Sternberger focused training tailored to NSF submissions. He found the pre-submission guidance particularly valuable, as it ensured every detail of his proposal conformed to NSF’s stringent requirements. While some sessions combined participants with varying experience levels, Sternberger gleaned useful insights on compliance and formatting. “The Proposal Lab helped us make sure we had all the content organized appropriately for NSF review,” he noted.
Securing Phase I funding enabled Sternberger’s team to design a second-generation prototype of a clinical device capable of measuring the effectiveness of regional anesthesia. This innovation promises to enhance patient safety, especially for pediatric patients who cannot communicate their pain levels. By measuring anesthetic effectiveness, the device reduces opioid dependency, optimizes clinical procedures, and lowers healthcare costs through precise drug dosing and improved procedural efficiency.
After winning Phase I funding, Sternberger chose not to pursue Phase II, opting instead to fast-track market entry through FDA clearance and licensing opportunities. This strategic pivot underscores his commitment to delivering lifesaving technology to patients more quickly, reflecting the flexibility and market-driven decisions essential in medical device development.
The Proposal Lab also honed Sternberger’s communication and networking skills. As an experienced program manager, he valued the diverse communication styles among instructors and peers, gaining broader perspectives on proposal writing and team dynamics. “The collaborative environment of the Lab honed my communication style and led to quality connections with other innovators,” he said.
“We successfully developed the second-generation clinical device prototype,” Sternberger remarked. “It’s being run around to a lot of different clinical partners who are interested in using it for their hypothesis-driven research.” He added, “We’re also working to license the technology so that we can get it through FDA clearance.”
Sternberger’s journey illustrates how even seasoned professionals benefit from focused proposal support and collaborative learning. For those navigating NSF submission processes or seeking to bring innovations to market quickly, his experience highlights the critical role of systematic guidance and strategic adaptation in achieving impactful, real-world results.
