Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - National Science Foundation

 
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    CFDA#

    47.041     		 

    Funder Type

    Federal Government

    IT Classification

    C - Funds little to no technology

    Authority

    U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

    Summary

    The NSF SBIR/STTR programs provide non-dilutive funds for use-inspired research and development (R&D) of unproven, leading-edge, technology innovations that address societal challenges. By investing federal research and development funds into startups and small businesses, NSF helps build a strong national economy and stimulates the creation of novel products, services, and solutions in the private sector; strengthens the role of small business in meeting federal research and development needs; increases the commercial application of federally-supported research results; and develops and increases the U.S. workforce, especially by fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically-disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.


    NSF seeks unproven, leading-edge technology innovations that demonstrate the following characteristics:

    • The innovations are underpinned and enabled by a new scientific discovery or meaningful engineering innovation.
    • The innovations still require intensive technical research and development to be fully embedded in a reliable product or service.
    • The innovations have not yet been reduced to practice by anyone and it is not guaranteed, at present, that doing so is technically possible.
    • The innovations provide a strong competitive advantage that are not easily replicable by competitors (even technically proficient ones).
    • Once reduced to practice, the innovations are expected to result in a product or service that would either be disruptive to existing markets or create new markets/new market segments.

    The NSF SBIR/STTR programs fund broadly across scientific and engineering disciplines and do not solicit specific technologies or procure goods and services from startups and small businesses. The funding provided is non-dilutive. Any invention conceived or reduced to practice with the assistance of SBIR/STTR funding is subject to the Bayh-Dole Act. For more information, refer to the https://www.nsf.gov/#q75

     

    History of Funding

    Previous awards of this program can be seen at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=1505,1591,5371,5373&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true&#results.

    Additional Information

    The NSF SBIR/STTR program funds the development of new, high-risk technology innovations intended to generate positive societal and economic outcomes. Proposers should also consider the Broader Impacts Review Criterion at 42 U.S.C. §1862p-14:

    • Increasing the economic competitiveness of the United States.
    • Advancing of the health and welfare of the American public.
    • Supporting the national defense of the United States.
    • Enhancing partnerships between academia and industry in the United States.
    • Developing an American STEM workforce that is globally competitive through improved pre-kindergarten through grade 12 STEM education and teacher development and improved undergraduate STEM education and instruction.
    • Improving public scientific literacy and engagement with science and technology in the United States.
    • Expanding participation of groups underrepresented in STEM.

    Contacts

    Henry Ahn

    Henry Ahn
    Biomedical (BM) Technologies
    200 Independence Avenue, S.W
    Washington, DC 20201
    (703) 292-7069
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Only firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the SBIR/STTR program. See the Eligibility Guide for more information at: http://sbir.gov/sites/default/files/elig_size_compliance_guide.pdf.


    Only recent SBIR Phase I/STTR awardees are eligible for SBIR Phase II.

    Deadline Details

    Applications are to be submitted by November 5, 2025, due by 5pm submitting organization's local time. A similar deadline is expected, annually.

    Award Details

    Approximately $70,000,000-$72,000,000 for SBIR Phase I. Approximately 230-235 awards for SBIR Phase I per year, pending the availability of funds. Funding intended to support projects for 6-18 months. Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts


    • NSF Funding for Campus Cyberinfrastructure in Higher Education - Sponsored by NetApp - Playback Available
    • Funding High Performance Computing in Support of University Research – Sponsored by NetApp - Playback Available
    • Getting A Virtualization Project Funded - Sponsored by NetApp - Playback Available

 

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