Expert advice for every grant — from EPA to DARPA

First-time SBIR applicants make predictable mistakes. Here are the 10 most common errors and how to avoid them before the post-reauthorization solicitations open.

NASA funds SBIR proposals in propulsion, in-space manufacturing, life support, autonomy, and Earth observation. Here are the topic areas and how to position for the 2026 restart.

The ReVAMPP network funds vaccine and monoclonal antibody research across five virus families. Here is who won, what the prototype-pathogen strategy means, and how to position for the next round.

NIH maintained its review infrastructure during the five-month SBIR lapse and is positioned to restart quickly. Here is what Phase I applicants need to know about the new rules and timeline.

NIST just awarded $3.19M in SBIR Phase II grants to eight startups. But the agency funds far more than small business research — and most founders have no idea how to tap its $1.85 billion budget.

NSF SBIR uses a unique Project Pitch system for Phase I. Here is how to submit a compelling pitch after the reauthorization restart, with tips for AI and deep tech startups.

Individual giving has declined 10% over the past decade. Corporate giving halved since 1986. And 82% of affected nonprofits are now chasing the same foundation dollars. An analysis of whether philanthropy can fill the federal funding vacuum — and what to do when it cannot.

Biotech startups can access up to $275K in non-dilutive NIH SBIR funding for early-stage drug development, diagnostics, and medical devices. Here is how to build a winning Phase I proposal.

The Commercialization Achievement Index (CAI) measures how well SBIR companies convert awards into revenue. Here is how it is calculated, why it matters, and how to improve yours.

Post-reauthorization SBIR reviews place even more weight on commercialization. Here is how to write a commercialization plan that satisfies reviewers across all 11 agencies.

Some agencies allow companies to apply directly to Phase II without a Phase I award. Here is how Direct to Phase II works, who qualifies, and when it makes strategic sense.

The SBIR reauthorization added foreign risk screening and changed how eligibility works. Here are the current rules for company size, ownership, PI requirements, and the new security provisions.

Every SBIR and STTR application now undergoes mandatory foreign risk screening. Here is what gets checked, how to prepare your documentation, and what triggers a flag.

Hardware prototyping is expensive and time-consuming. Here is how to build an SBIR Phase I proposal when your innovation requires physical manufacturing, testing, and iteration.

Most SBIR applicants struggle with indirect costs. Here is how NICRA and de minimis rates work, which one to use, and how to avoid budget errors that delay your award.

Letters of support can make or break an SBIR commercialization plan. Here is what reviewers look for, who should write them, and how to get strong letters before your deadline.

SBIR reviewers scrutinize budgets for reasonableness. Here is how to build a Phase I budget with justified line items that match your technical work plan.

DOD Phase II Enhanced awards add up to $750K in government matching when you bring private investment. Here is how the matching works and how to position for it.

Phase III is where SBIR technology becomes a real product with government customers. Here is how Phase III contracts work, how to pursue them, and what the reauthorization changes mean.

SBIR reauthorization caps how many proposals one company can submit. How the new limits work and what it means for your 2026 strategy.

Most SBIR proposals get rejected on the first try. Here is how to use reviewer feedback to strengthen your resubmission and dramatically improve your odds.

SBIR proposals are reviewed by panels of technical experts. Here is what happens inside a review panel, how scores are assigned, and what separates funded proposals from rejections.

Your SAM.gov registration must be active before you can submit any SBIR proposal. Here is exactly how to register, renew, and avoid the delays that cause missed deadlines.

The Specific Aims page is the most important page of your NIH SBIR proposal. Here is the structure reviewers expect and how to write one that gets your proposal scored.

The new $30M Strategic Breakthrough Awards create a post-Phase II pathway for SBIR companies with commercial traction. Here is who qualifies, how matching works, and when to expect solicitations.

SBIR requires your company to perform at least two-thirds of Phase I work. Here is how the subcontracting rules work, how to calculate work percentages, and what happens when you exceed the limit.

SBIR success rates vary dramatically by agency — from 15% at NIH to over 25% at some DoD components. Here is the data and what it means for your submission strategy.

SBIR and STTR fund the same types of innovation but have different rules for university partnerships and work percentages. Here is how to choose the right program for your company.

STTR was designed to move university research into commercial products. Here is how academic researchers can use STTR to spin out their lab work and build a company.

Steel tariffs at 50%, China duties at 54%, and lab equipment costs surging across the board. For researchers already managing flat or shrinking grants, the tariff shock is forcing hard choices between personnel and reagents.

USDA funds SBIR proposals in precision agriculture, food safety, rural broadband, and sustainable farming. Here are the topic areas and how to apply.

The Department of Energy Early Career Research Program is accepting applications across seven scientific disciplines, with five-year awards up to $2.75 million. A strategy guide for researchers racing the March 24 pre-application deadline.

A joint HHS, USDA, and EPA initiative is channeling over $1 billion into regenerative farming, pesticide alternatives, and food safety research under the MAHA Commission. Here is what the funding looks like and who can access it.

The Trump administration designated Anthropic a supply chain risk after the company refused to remove AI safety restrictions. The fallout will reshape defense AI contracting for years.

ARPA-H is funding the first agentic AI system that can prescribe medications, monitor patients 24/7, and manage heart disease autonomously. Here is what applicants need to know.

After BRIC was cancelled and billions in IRA climate funds were frozen, communities need a new playbook. A strategic guide to surviving programs, state alternatives, and emerging funding sources.