Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I

Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

10.212 -- Small Business Innovation Research

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative R&D between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions.

Projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR/STTR topic areas. USDA SBIR/STTR's flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA's vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air, and water. The USDA SBIR/STTR programs have awarded over 2000 research and development projects since 1983, allowing hundreds of small businesses to explore their technological potential, and providing an incentive to profit from the commercialization of innovative ideas. Click below for more SBIR/STTR information.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

Applicants for the SBIR/STTR Phase I must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. Each applicant must qualify as a SBC through registration with the SBA for R/R&D purposes at the time of selection (see definitions in section Part VIII of this RFA). Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award. SBIR/STTR eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that the funds go only to small, independent US businesses. The regulations include restrictions about (1) the type of firm, (2) its ownership structure, and (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees.

Grantor contact information

Description

NIFA Support Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

Email

If you have any questions related to preparing application content.

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
FY24-SBIR-STTR-Phase-1-RFA-508-MOD2.pdf	FY2024-Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I - RFA - MOD2	Jul 28, 2023 04:32 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I

Archived: October 19, 2023

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$15,500,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$125,000

Award Minimum

$181,500

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

USDA-NIFA-SBIR-009962

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Agriculture

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Posted date:

July 7, 2023

Archive date:

October 19, 2023