America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR) powered by NSF

America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR) powered by NSF is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This program provides equity-free funding to startups and small businesses to conduct research and development (R&D) work that will lead to the commercialization of innovative new products and services, particularly high-risk, high-impact technologies.

America’s Seed Fund – NSF SBIR/STTR | NSF SBIR Check recent critical alerts! (Last updated 4/16/2026) NSF will resume the submission of new Project Pitches to the SBIR/STTR programs in the coming weeks. 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.

Life-saving robot that keeps humans out of dangerous confinements like grain bins Grain Weevil, a startup funded by America’s Seed Fund powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, helps farmers stay safe and improves grain quality with its life-saving robot that keeps humans out of dangerous confinements like grain bins. Designed by a father-son duo, the robot can break up crusts, level, manage, map and feed grain.

To learn more visit: https://grainweevil. 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 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 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 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 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 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