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America's Seed Fund – NSF SBIR (Artificial Intelligence) Phase I is a grant from the National Science Foundation that funds for-profit U.S. small businesses developing novel artificial intelligence technologies with strong commercial potential and societal impact. Since 1977, America's Seed Fund (powered by NSF) has supported approximately 400 companies per year to bring deep technologies from research to market.
Phase I awards are typically up to $275,000 and support early-stage R&D to demonstrate technical feasibility. Eligible applicants are U.S. for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees and majority U.S. ownership, developing innovative AI technologies in any sub-topic area. The program welcomes first-time entrepreneurs from all 50 states and U.S. territories.
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America’s Seed Fund – NSF SBIR/STTR | NSF SBIR Check recent critical alerts! (Last updated 12/22/2025) NSF has temporarily paused the submission of new Project Pitches to the SBIR/STTR programs due to the lapse in congressional authorization. Program Directors will continue to process Project Pitches that were previously received.
Please direct any questions to sbir@nsf. gov . Start your grant process here A microscopic image of the metals in a plant seedling being studied for its ability to clean contaminated environments.
Photo courtesy of Sigray , a small business revolutionizing x-ray research equipment through its patented innovations on x-ray source and optic technology. View image caption and credit We fund startups to build deep technologies for commercial success.
Seed capital for early stage product development We offer funding for early stage R&D and take no equity in your company — you retain full control over your team, the direction of your work, and your intellectual property. We can help fund your technology Join our regular webinars to learn more.
We fund startups across nearly all technology areas and markets like artificial intelligence, energy, medical devices, robotics, semiconductors, and many more.
Thermally optimized power amplifiers dramatically boost signal and broadband coverage Soctera Inc, a startup funded by America’s Seed Fund powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is developing thermally‑optimized gallium nitride (GaN) RF power amplifiers that boost signal range and efficiency—tackling connectivity and cooling challenges in 5G, rural broadband, telecom and radar applications. To learn more visit: https://www.
soctera.
com/ View featured successful NSF-funded companies Biomaterials startup uses enzymes to replace banned chemicals in consumer products Curie Co, a startup funded by America’s Seed Fund powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, engineers biomaterials via precision fermentation—using enzymes inside microbial systems—to create sustainable, biodegradable ingredients for haircare, skincare, textiles, and more, replacing ingredients banned by the FDA.
To learn more visit: https://curieco. com/ . View featured successful NSF-funded companies New membrane filtration system for industrial processes Via Separations, a startup funded by America’s Seed Fund powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is creating membranes made with graphene oxide to revolutionize industrial filtration.
To learn more visit: https://viaseparations. com/ View featured successful NSF-funded companies Breast pumping bra automatically massages and compresses to increase milk output Lilu, a startup funded by America’s Seed Fund powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is creating a breast pumping bra that helps women produce more breast milk. To learn more visit: https://www.
wearlilu. com/ . View featured successful NSF-funded companies Immersive STEM Learning Platform Prisms of Reality is using an immersive educational software in virtual reality to demonstrate how multimodal and game-driven learning can be used to enhance math proficiencies, problem solving, and the ability to transfer mathematical knowledge across contexts.
To learn more visit: https://www. prismsvr. com.
View featured successful NSF-funded companies Voice biomarkers identify mental health challenges Kintsugi Mindful Wellness is using artificial intelligence to develop voice biomarker software to measure, predict, and scale access to mental healthcare. To learn more visit: https://www. kintsugihealth.
com/ . View featured successful NSF-funded companies Blood cleansing device removes pathogens Path Ex is developing a device to remove pathogens from blood. To learn more visit: https://pathex.
co/ . View featured successful NSF-funded companies New drug delivery technology for tumor treatment Tambo developed a new technology to activate drugs at specific locations within the body to treat diseases with lower doses of drugs and fewer toxic side effects. Learn more about Tambo’s technology at https://www.
shasqi. com/ . View featured successful NSF-funded companies View featured successful NSF-funded companies We support research and development of deep technologies - those that are based on discoveries in fundamental science and engineering.
As we review applications, we consider your technology’s innovativeness, commercial potential, and possible societal impact.
View featured successful NSF-funded companies National Science Foundation Photo Credit: Cyclopure | Cyclopure CP analytical chemists can measure DEXSORB@ efficiency at 1-2 part per trillion concentration We are America's Seed Fund Since 1977, America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF (also known as the NSF SBIR/STTR program) has helped startups develop their ideas and bring them to market. We funded about 400 companies each year.
Check out how NSF is making an impact We invite all tech entrepreneurs Our program fosters and encourages participation in innovation and entrepreneurship from all Americans as well as first-time entrepreneurs from all 50 states and U.S. territories. "The grants we received from NSF were instrumental in building the first version of our product and acquiring our first customers.
When we received our Phase I funding in 2010 we were two founders. As of 2022, our team within Cisco has grown to 700 employees and growing." CEO, ThousandEyes, acquired by Cisco for $1 billion, according to CNBC ( NSF-1058602 ) "Huge thanks NSF SBIR for giving us the chance to build the underlying foundational technology that is allowing us to dream big."
CEO of DataChat ( NSF-1853057 ) "NSF helped us refine our vision, figure out if our technology could be used for different applications, and helped us figure out if we can manufacture our technology in a scalable fashion — taking it from an academic project to a real-scale commercial project."
Co-founder and CEO of Via Separations ( NSF-1831203 ) "We were able to spin out from the University of Washington and get started as an independent company entirely with the support of our first NSF SBIR, and we are incredibly grateful for NSF’ continued support over the years!"
Co-Founder & CEO, A-Alpha Bio ( NSF-1950992 ) Credit: NSF-funded Electra ( NSF-2039232 ) uses chemistry and renewable energy to transform iron ore into 99% pure iron. Here, an employee examines a solution in the R&D lab. Credit: Electra
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: For‑profit U. S. small businesses (<500 employees, majority U. S. ownership). Eligible applicants developing novel AI technologies regardless of sub‑topic. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to ~$275,000 (Phase I typical range). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
This listing does not include a published deadline, but it is an annual program. Check the official notice for the current cycle's exact dates.
America’s Seed Fund – NSF SBIR (Artificial Intelligence) Phase I is funded by National Science Foundation (America’s Seed Fund). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Brown Girl Jane x SheaMoisture Grant is a grant from SheaMoisture and Brown Girl Jane that funds Black and woman-owned beauty and wellness businesses in the United States. Part of SheaMoisture's broader commitment to addressing racial inequality through its $1 million annual giving fund, this program specifically supports founders at the intersection of Black and women-owned entrepreneurship in the beauty and wellness sector. Applicants must be based in the U.S. and have operated their business for at least one year. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. Check the SheaMoisture Fund website for the current open cycle, as deadlines vary by cohort.
Support Adoption Grant Program is sponsored by Texas Office of the Attorney General. This program provides critical resources for pregnant women considering adoption and support for children awaiting placement with adoptive parents. Purpose areas include material needs for pregnant women, needs of children awaiting placement, training and advertising related to adoption, and pre- and post-adoption counseling.
NSF's rebuilt SBIR/STTR program (NSF 26-510) pairs a $305,000 Phase I with a brand-new Strategic Breakthrough award worth up to $30 million for the strongest Phase II companies. The next Project Pitch deadline is July 27, 2026. Here is how the non-dilutive funding ladder now works, why the Project Pitch gate decides everything, and how a founder should sequence the next twelve months.
Read articleAfter months dark, NSF's SBIR/STTR program relaunched with $250M, a July 27, 2026 Phase I deadline, and a new $30M Strategic Breakthrough escalator. This is the deep dive on NSF 26-510, the 26-511 instrumentation pilot, the mandatory Project Pitch on-ramp, and how to sequence a non-dilutive raise that starts at $305K and can reach eight figures.
Read articleAmerica's Seed Fund powered by NSF reopened for FY2026 with two parallel solicitations: NSF 26-510 for deep technologies and a new pilot, NSF 26-511, dedicated to scientific instrumentation. Project Pitch is the mandatory first gate, the first full-proposal deadline is July 27, 2026, and Phase I runs up to $305K. Here is how the topic-agnostic NSF model differs from agency-directed SBIR — and how to use the new pilot.
Read article