America's Seed Fund Phase II is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that funds small businesses to continue research and development begun in NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I projects, with the goal of developing commercially viable products, services, or technologies. Only recent NSF SBIR and STTR Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding.

As of 2024, Phase II awards are funded up to $1,250,000 for up to 24 months, with one Phase II proposal permitted per Phase I award. Note: NSF has temporarily paused submission of new Project Pitches due to a lapse in congressional authorization, but is continuing to process previously received pitches.

Apply for Phase II | 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 . Interested in applying for Phase II funding?

Review this information before starting your application. A new SBIR/STTR Phase II solicitation is expected soon. Read the SBIR/STTR Phase II Solicitation Eligibility and the basics Only recent NSF SBIR and STTR Phase I awardees may apply for Phase II funding.

See your Phase I award letter for details about when you are eligible to submit a Phase II proposal. The purpose of Phase II is to provide funding to continue the research and development you began in Phase I. You are permitted to submit only one Phase II proposal per Phase I award.

If your Phase II application is declined, you won’t be able to resubmit it. As of 2024, Phase II awards are funded up to $1,250,000 for up to 24 months. You must submit a Phase I technical narrative as a component of your Phase II proposal.

This is a report describing progress during your Phase I project. If you choose to submit your Phase II proposal after the Phase I project ends, the Phase I final report will fulfill this requirement. If you submit your Phase II proposal before the Phase I project ends, an interim Phase I progress report, based on the format discussed above and covering all relevant progress made to date, should be included in your Phase II proposal.

To make the Phase II application process as smooth as possible, the Phase I final or interim report should be prepared offline and uploaded as a stand-alone PDF file. A company may generally submit a Phase II proposal anytime between six (6) months and two years (24 months) after the start date of the relevant Phase I award. Details can be found in the Phase II solicitation.

You must submit your Phase II SBIR or STTR proposal through Research. gov . If you’re an STTR Phase I awardee, you can now submit a SBIR Phase II proposal (or vice-versa).

More information on switching from STTR to SBIR . Administrative and financial capability reviews If your Phase II proposal is considered potentially meritorious for funding, you will be required to undergo an administrative and financial capability review in the latter stages of the Phase II review process. These videos also explain the review processes and how to prepare for them.

Revisit the Merit Review Criteria . Discuss the commercialization potential to include (1) a required Commercialization Plan and (2) the Phase I Technical Narrative as outlined in the solicitation.

Complete and submit four documents: Biographical Sketch(es), Current and Pending (Other) Support forms, Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA), and Synergistic Activities for the PI, Co-PI (if STTR), and each Senior/Key Personnel specified in the proposal. Submit three Letters of Support from potential product/service users or customers. View the Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions in the Phase II Solicitation .

Reference the Phase II Solicitation guidance on determining salaries for Phase II personnel. You will need to upload a filled version of the “Project Schedule” as part of your Phase II proposal. The template to use is found here: Phase II SBIR-STTR Project Schedule .

Terms and conditions and reporting requirements The Phase II award is now a fixed amount IP Rights Agremeement with different award terms and conditions , and reporting requirements. More details regarding both award terms and reporting requirements can be found in the solicitation.