Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs (SBIR/STTR): A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.
Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation
Assistance Listings: 47.084 -- NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
Last Updated: May 23, 2026
Description
NSF invests in scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs, and transformative innovations that strengthen economic growth, enhance security, and improve the lives of Americans and people around the world. Our ability to support that mission requires a robust scientific and engineering (S&E) enterprise in the United States that allows scientists to innovate at the frontier. In addition to funding scientists, America needs next-generation scientific instrumentation that allows scientists to pursue new innovations. In many fields, it is critical that this new scientific instrumentation...
is developed in the United States.
In support of this mission, NSF is initiating a pilot emphasis area for itsSBIR/STTR programs to invest in startups and small businesses that are specifically developing enabling technologies that include next-generation instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other scientific equipment to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and strengthen the American scientific and engineering enterprise. This encompasses novel instrumentation necessary for the coming era of AI-driven discoveries. This pilot will prioritize investing in the necessary infrastructure to support entirely new fields of scientific discovery, making new technological breakthroughs and transformative applications possible. Through this approach, NSF will continue to lead in propelling the scientific enterprise to new frontiers.
This pilot emphasis area for the NSF SBIR/STTR programs funds across enabling technology areas and market sectors in alignment with the above goals; the programs do not solicit specific technologies for the purpose of procuring goods and services for the agency from startups and small businesses.
NSF will continue to invest in other deep-tech ventures through the historic NSF SBIR/STTR programs available here.
Funding opportunities are available through the NSF SBIR/STTR programs: Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, and Supplements. Each company can receive up to $2.0 million for R&D. Separately, NSF welcomes Strategic Breakthrough proposals, upon recommendation from the Program Officer, for Phase II awardees. NSF takes no equity and awardees keep full ownership of their company and intellectual property.
Expanding Participation in STEM and Gold Standard Science:
NSF prioritizes cutting-edge discovery science and engineering research, advancing technology and innovation, and creating opportunities for all Americans. NSF also expects the highest standards of scientific rigor, integrity and adherence to tenets ofGold Standard Sciencein proposals, as appropriate for the field of science and research modality.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- For all NSF SBIR/STTR funding opportunities, Proposals may only be submitted by: Firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the NSF SBIR/STTR programs (see the Guide to SBIR/STTR Program Eligibility for more information). Please note that the size limit of 500 employees includes affiliates. The firm must be in compliance with the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive and the Code of Federal Regulations. For STTR proposals, the proposing small business concern must also include a partner research institution in the project.
- For Phase I: Proposers must obtain an official invitation to submit a proposal. To receive the invitation, potential proposers must submit a Project Pitch and receive an official response (via email) from the program staff. Invitations are valid for the next two submission deadlines after the date of the initial official invitation. Submission deadlines are at the top of the funding opportunity. If the Project Pitch expires, the Principal Investigator (PI) is required to recomplete the Project Pitch process. Note: that NSF places strict limits in terms of the number of Project Pitches and full proposals that can be under consideration from a given small business as described in the Project Pitch details using the link above.
- Two Project Pitches are the maximum number of submissions per company per year (12-month period). In addition, NSF limits the total number of Project Pitches for the same project/technology, regardless of topic to no more than 3 submissions.
- For Phase II: Only NSF Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees are permitted to submit a Phase II proposal to NSF. Proposers must submit their SBIR/STTR Phase II proposal between 6 to 24 months after the start date of their relevant NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award.
- For Fast-Track: Proposers must obtain an official invitation to submit a proposal. To receive the invitation, potential proposers must submit aProject Pitch and receive an official response from program staff. A full proposal must be submitted within four months of the Fast-Track Project Pitch invitation. Additional details are available here.
- For Supplemental Funding Opportunities: All active SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees are invited to participate in the full range of supplemental funding opportunities related to strategic partners and outside investors, including the Phase IIB funding opportunity (see:https://seedfund.nsf.gov/resources/awardees/supplement/overview/).
- For Phase I: Proposers must obtain an official invitation to submit a proposal. To receive the invitation, potential proposers must submit a Project Pitch and receive an official response (via email) from the program staff. Invitations are valid for the next two submission deadlines after the date of the initial official invitation. Submission deadlines are at the top of the funding opportunity. If the Project Pitch expires, the Principal Investigator (PI) is required to recomplete the Project Pitch process. Note: that NSF places strict limits in terms of the number of Project Pitches and full proposals that can be under consideration from a given small business as described in the Project Pitch details using the link above.
Grantor contact information
Description
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.
Documents
No documents are currently available.
Link to additional information
Closing: July 27, 2026
Award
$40,000,000
Program Funding
86
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$--
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
26-511
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
--
Category of Funding Activity:
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
May 22, 2026
Archive date:
April 5, 2031
