Opportunity Listing - NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs

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NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs

Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation

Assistance Listings: 47.074 -- Biological Sciences

47.076 -- STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)

47.079 -- Office of International Science and Engineering

47.083 -- Integrative Activities

47.050 -- Geosciences

47.084 -- NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships

47.075 -- Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

47.049 -- Mathematical and Physical Sciences

47.070 -- Computer and Information Science and Engineering

47.041 -- Engineering

Last Updated: July 11, 2025

View version history on Grants.gov

Description

The NSF SBIR/STTRprograms 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 SBIR/STTR Frequently Asked Questions, #75. NSF encourages input and participation from the full spectrum of diverse talent that society has to offer which includes underrepresented and underserved communities. This program is governed by15 U.S.C. 638and the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.). Introduction to Program: The SBIR and STTR programs, initiated at NSF, were established in 1982 as part of the Small Business Innovation Development Act. The NSF SBIR/STTR programs focus on stimulating technical innovation from diverse entrepreneurs and startups by translating new scientific and engineering discoveries emerging from the private sector, federal labs, and academia into products and services that can be scaled and commercialized into sustainable businesses with significant societal benefits. The NSF SBIR/STTR programs are now part of theDirectorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), which was recently launched to accelerate innovation and enhance economic competitiveness by catalyzing partnerships and investments that strengthen the links between fundamental research and technology development, deployment, and use.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -

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 cognizant Program Officer. Project Pitch invitations are valid for two deadlines after the date of the initial official invitation from NSF; for example, if an official invitation is received on May 30, 2024, the proposer may submit for either the September 18, 2024, or November 6 deadline. In this example, submissions after November 6, 2024 will require a new Project Pitch invitation.
Firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the NSF SBIR/STTR programs (see Eligibility Guide 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 (13 CFR Part 121). For STTR proposals, the proposing small business must also include a partner research institution in the project, see additional details below.

In compliance with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Section 10636 (Person or entity of concern prohibition) (42 U.S.C. 19235): No person published on the list under section 1237(b) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (Public Law 105-261; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) or entity identified under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 10 U.S.C. 113 note; Public Law 116-283) may receive or participate in any grant, award, program, support, or other activity under the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. Individuals who are a current party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program are not eligible to serve as a Senior/Key Person on an NSF proposal or on any NSF award made after May 20, 2024. See current PAPPG for additional information on required certifications associated with Malign Foreign Talent Organization. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must certify that all individuals identified as Senior/Key Personnel have been made aware of and have complied with their responsibility under that section to certify that the individual is not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program. The startups or small business research and development (R&D) must be performed within the United States. Startups and small businesses funded by NSF must be majority U.S.-owned companies. NSF does not fund proposals from companies that are majority-owned by one or more venture capital operating companies (VCOCs), hedge funds, or private equity firms. Proposals from joint ventures and partnerships are permitted, provided the proposing entity qualifies as a small business concern (see Eligibility Guide for more information). Collaborative Proposal from Multiple Organizations (a special proposal type in Research.gov) are not allowed. Startups and small businesses that have a social mission in their charter are encouraged to apply. Socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and women-owned small businesses are also encouraged to apply. *Who May Serve as PI: The primary emplo

Grantor contact information

Description

NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Email

If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.

grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Documents

No documents are currently available.

Link to additional information

NSF Publication 24-579

Closing: November 5, 2025

Application process

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Award

$85,000,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$305,000

Award Minimum

$--

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

24-579

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

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:

Posted date:

May 31, 2024

Archive date:

December 5, 2025