NSF 24-582: NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Fast-Track Pilot Programs (SBIR-STTR Fast-Track) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This Fast-Track Pilot Program falls under the NSF SBIR/STTR umbrella, soliciting proposals from small businesses developing game-changing technologies in broad technology areas based on groundbreaking scientific discoveries or significant engineering breakthroughs with significa…

NSF 24-582: NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Fast-Track Pilot Programs (SBIR-STTR Fast-Track) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Active funding opportunity This document is the current version.

NSF 24-582: NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Fast-Track Pilot Programs (SBIR-STTR Fast-Track) To save a PDF of this solicitation, select Print to PDF in your browser's print options. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization's local time): Important Information And Revision Notes The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track programs (also known as America's Seed Fund powered by NSF) provide non-dilutive, fixed amount cooperative agreements for the development of a broad range of technologies based on discoveries in science and engineering with the potential for societal and economic impacts .

The maximum total SBIR/STTR Fast-Track award amount is $1,555,000 (inclusive of direct and indirect costs, Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding, and the small business fee) : $400,000 maximum for the Phase I component and $1,155,000 maximum for the Phase II component. The expected project duration will be between 24 months and 36 months.

The duration of a Phase I component can be between 6 months and 12 months, to be specified by the company. The duration of a Phase II component can be between 18 months and 24 months, to be specified by the company. NSF proposals are confidential and will only be shared with a select number of reviewers and NSF staff (as appropriate).

All reviewers have agreed to maintain the confidentiality of the proposal content. Proposals to NSF do not constitute a public disclosure. If selected for an award, the company will be prompted to write a publicly available abstract that summarizes the intellectual merit and broader impact of the project.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs do not support clinical trials or proposals from companies whose commercialization pathway involves the production, distribution, or sale by the company of chemical components, natural or synthetic variations thereof, or other derivatives related to Schedule I controlled substances. All proposals must be submitted through Research. gov .

NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot proposals will not be accepted in Grants. gov. NSF Fast-Track SBIR and STTR pilot proposals are nearly identical but differ in the amount of work performed by the small business and a not-for-profit institution or a Federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) (as noted in the budget).

For more details about the unique requirements of NSF STTR Fast-Track pilot awards, please refer to the Eligibility Information and Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions sections of this solicitation. NSF SBIR Fast-Track Pilot proposals submitted to this solicitation that meet all the requirements of an NSF STTR Fast-Track pilot proposal may, at NSF's discretion, be converted to NSF STTR Fast-Track pilot proposal for award.

Similarly, NSF STTR Fast-Track pilot proposals may be converted to NSF SBIR Fast-Track pilot awards at NSF's discretion. America's Seed Fund powered by NSF is committed to assisting SBIR/STTR Phase II recipients to successfully commercialize their innovation research, grow their company and create jobs by attracting new investments and partnerships.

To reinforce these commitments, the programs support a broad number of supplements and other opportunities . For more information, see: Supplemental Funding Overview , and the linked Dear Colleagues Letters.

For the purpose of this solicitation, the following definitions apply : Funding Agreement : As used in this solicitation, the funding agreement is a Grant – a legal instrument of financial assistance between NSF and a recipient, consistent with 31 USC 6302-6305 and as noted in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Introduction, Section D ("Definitions & NSF-Recipient Relationships").

Small Business Concerns (SBCs) : SBCs are independently owned and operated businesses that are not dominant in the field of operation. For this solicitation, firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the SBIR/STTR programs (see Section II. "Eligibility Information" of this solicitation for more details).

Please note that the size limit of 500 employees includes affiliates. The firm must be in compliance with the SBA SBIR/STTR Policy Directive and the Code of Federal Regulations (13 CFR 121) .

SBIR/STTR Data : As defined by the SBA SBIR/STTR Policy Directive , SBIR/STTR Data is all Data developed or generated in the performance of an SBIR or STTR award, including Technical Data and Computer Software developed or generated in the performance of an SBIR or STTR award.

The term does not include information incidental to contract or grant administration, such as financial, administrative, cost or pricing or management information.

SBIR/STTR Data Rights : The Federal Government may, use, modify, reproduce, perform, display, release, or disclose SBIR/STTR Data that are Technical Data within the Government; however, the Government shall not use, release, or disclose the data for procurement, manufacturing, or commercial purposes; or release or disclose the SBIR/STTR Data outside the Government except as permitted by paragraph 10(B) of the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive 's Data Rights Clause or by written permission of the recipient.

Research and Development (R&D) : broadly defined in 2 CFR § 200.

8 , but specified for the NSF SBIR/STTR programs as follows: the application of creative, original, and potentially transformative concepts to systematically study, create, adapt, or manipulate the structure and behavior of the natural or man-made worlds; the use of the scientific method to propose well-reasoned, well-organized activities based on sound theory, computation, measurement, observation, experiment, or modeling; the demonstration of a well-qualified individual, team, or organization ready to deploy novel methods of creating, acquiring, processing, manipulating, storing, or disseminating data or metadata; and/or the novel integration of new theories, analysis, data, or methods regarding cognition, heuristics, and related phenomena, which can be supported by scientific rationale.

Non-Dilutive Funding : financing that does not involve equity, debt, or other elements of the business ownership structure. Technical Risk : Technical risk assumes that the possibility of technical failure exists for an envisioned product, service, or solution to be successfully developed. This risk is present even to those suitably skilled in the art of the component, subsystem, method, technique, tool, or algorithm in question.

If the new product, service, or solution is successfully realized and brought to the market, it would be difficult for a well-qualified, competing firm to reverse-engineer or otherwise neutralize the competitive advantage generated by leveraging fundamental science or engineering research techniques.

Technological Innovation indicates that the new product or service is differentiated from current products or services; that is, the new technology holds the potential to result in a product or service with a substantial and durable advantage over competing solutions on the market. It also generally provides a barrier to entry for competitors. The proposal submission system, Research.

gov, will stop accepting proposals at 5:00 pm submitting organization's local time. If your submission is late, you will not be able to submit again until the next deadline. Proposers are strongly urged to submit well in advance of the deadline.

An Intellectual Property (IP) Rights agreement is required for STTR proposals and strongly recommended for SBIR proposals when there is a subaward to another institution . A fully signed agreement is not required for STTR proposals at the initial proposal submission but will be required before a recommendation for an award can be made.

A small business must receive an official invitation via the Project Pitch , a process to submit a full Fast-Track proposal. Details regarding this process as well as how to submit a Fast-Track Project Pitch can be found in Section III. A.

of this document. Small businesses that meet the Fast-Track eligibility criteria can submit a Fast-Track Project Pitch at any time. Small businesses that have been invited to submit a full Fast-Track proposal can submit a proposal based on that Project Pitch at any time up to 4 months after the date of the invitation.

In addition to the standard NSF Merit Review Criteria, this solicitation provides additional clarification on how Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact might be applied to startups and small businesses. Additional solicitation-specific merit review criteria focused on Commercialization Potential is also applied.

Four documents: Biographical Sketch(es), Current and Pending (Other) Support forms, Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA), and Synergistic Activities must be submitted for the PI, Co-PI (if STTR), and each Senior/Key Personnel specified in the proposal. Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support forms must be prepared using SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae .

Collaborators & Other Affiliations (COA) Information is prepared using the instructions and spreadsheet template . Synergistic Activities.

Each individual identified as a Senior/Key person must provide a document of up to one-page that includes a list of up to five distinct examples of synergistic activities that demonstrate the broader impact of the individual's professional and scholarly activities that focus on the integration and transfer of knowledge as well as its creation.

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. In accordance with Section 10632 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C.

§ 19232), 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. In accordance with Section 223(a)(1) of the William M.

(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (42 U.S.C. § 6605(a)(1)), each individual identified as Senior/Key Personnel is required to certify in SciENcv that the information provided in the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support documents are accurate, current, and complete.

Senior/Key Personnel are required to update their Current and Pending (Other) Support disclosures prior to award, and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award. See additional information on NSF Disclosure Requirements in the PAPPG, Chapter II. B.

Each Senior/Key Person must also certify prior to proposal submission that they are not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program and annually thereafter for the duration of the award. Three (3) Letters of Support from potential product/service users or customers are required; Up to five (5) Letters of Support may be submitted.

Letters of Commitment that confirm the role of any subaward organization(s) in the project and explicitly state the subaward amount are also required. Additional information on the due diligence process , used as part of the review and selection process, is included in Section VI.

The due diligence process may include requests for clarification of the company structure, key personnel, conflicts of interest, foreign influence, cybersecurity practices, or other issues as determined by NSF. Participation in the due diligence process is not a guarantee that an award will be made. SBIR/STTR Fast-Track proposals that have been declined by NSF are NOT eligible for reconsideration .

A decision by NSF not to provide additional funding following either the Stage Gate 1 or Stage Gate 2 review will NOT be eligible for reconsideration or termination review as defined in Chapter XII. A. 4 of the PAPPG .

This solicitation contains many instructions that deviate from the standard NSF PAPPG proposal preparation instructions. In the event of a conflict between the instructions in this solicitation and the PAPPG, use this solicitation's instructions as a guide.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted.

The NSF PAPPG is regularly revised and it is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets the requirements specified in this solicitation and the applicable version of the PAPPG. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Summary Of Program Requirements NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Fast-Track Pilot Programs (SBIR-STTR Fast-Track) The NSF SBIR/STTR and SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs support moving scientific excellence and technological innovation from the lab to the market.

By funding startups and small businesses, NSF helps build a strong national economy and stimulates the creation of novel products, services, and solutions in private, public, or government sectors with potential for broad impact; 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 US workforce, especially by fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.

These NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs provide fixed amount cooperative agreements for the development of a broad range of technologies based on discoveries in science and engineering with potential for societal and economic impacts.

Unlike fundamental or basic research activities that focus on scientific and engineering discovery itself, the NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs support the creation of opportunities to move use-inspired and translational discoveries out of the lab and into the market or other use at scale, through startups and small businesses.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs do not solicit specific technologies or procure goods and services from startups and small businesses. 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 SBIR/STTR Frequently Asked Questions #75 .

NSF promotes inclusion by encouraging proposals from diverse populations and geographic locations. The traditional NSF SBIR/STTR programs include two funding Phases – Phase I and Phase II. All proposers to the programs must first apply for Phase I funding – there is no direct-to-Phase II option.

Under a traditional NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award, a small business can receive non-dilutive funding for research and development (R&D) to demonstrate technical feasibility over 6 to 12 months and then, after completion of a Phase I project, companies may apply for Phase II funding to further develop the proposed technology.

There are significant benefits for SBIR/STTR Fast-Track recipients: the submission of only one proposal for Phase I and Phase II and a faster transition from Phase I to Phase II.

While startups and small businesses face many challenges, NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track funding is intended to specifically focus on challenges associated with technological innovation; that is, on the creation of new products, services, and other scalable solutions based on fundamental science or engineering.

A successful Fast-Track proposal must demonstrate how NSF funding will help the small business create a proof-of-concept or prototype by retiring technical risk. 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 Fast-Track pilot programs focus on stimulating technical innovation from diverse entrepreneurs and start-ups by translating new scientific and engineering concepts into products and services that can be scaled and commercialized into sustainable businesses with significant societal benefits.

The programs provide non-dilutive funding for research and development (R&D) of use-inspired scientific and engineering activities at the earliest stages of the company and technology development.

During the course of the award, the emphasis is expected to shift from de-risking those aspects preventing the innovation from reaching technical feasibility and driving the intended impact to a greater focus on commercially relevant development activities that will allow the company to differentiate itself and drive new value propositions to the market and society.

NSF encourages input and participation from the full spectrum of diverse talent that society has to offer which includes underrepresented and underserved communities. These NSF programs are governed by 15 USC 638 and the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended ( 42 USC §1861, et seq. ).

Introduction to the Program 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.

These NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs enable companies based on previous NSF awards (NSF award lineage) to submit a single proposal that, if awarded, can provide a faster pathway from Phase I to Phase II funding. Receipt of full funding under the Fast-Track pilot programs is contingent on the results of a company's Phase II transition review.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs are part of the Directorate 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.

Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences --- Computer and Information Science and Engineering --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences --- Office of International Science and Engineering --- Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) --- NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Anticipated Type of Award: Fixed Amount Cooperative Agreement Estimated Number of Awards: 36 Approximately 20 awards for SBIR Fast-Track, pending the availability of funds.

Approximately 16 awards for STTR Fast-Track, pending the availability of funds. Anticipated Funding Amount: $56,000,000 Approximately $31 M for SBIR Fast-Track Approximately $25 M for STTR Fast-Track Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Small businesses concerns must meet ALL of the following requirements: Companies qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs (see Guide to SBIR/STTR Program Eligibility 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 . For STTR proposals, the proposing small business must also include a partner research institution in the project, see additional details below. Lineage Eligibility Requirement.

The technical innovation in the Fast-Track proposal must be derived from a prior NSF research award that is either currently active or was active within the previous five years from the date of submission of the Fast-Track proposal. The Fast-Track Project Pitch and proposal must include the NSF award number and title of the research award that is relied upon to meet the lineage requirement.

The Fast-Track proposal's PI or at least one Senior/Key Personnel must have been supported under the lineage award. If the Fast-Track team member relied upon to meet the lineage requirement is named on the lineage award, no further documentation will be required.

If not, the Fast-Track proposal must include a letter from the PI or a Co-PI of the lineage award confirming that either the PI or a named Senior/Key Personnel on the Fast-Track team was engaged in research undertaken under the lineage award.

In addition to regular NSF research awards (e.g., CAREER, individual investigator awards, center/institute awards, etc.), Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards do count as NSF lineage for SBIR/STTR Fast-Track eligibility. NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) and NSF SBIR/STTR awards do not count as NSF research lineage and do not convey SBIR/STTR Fast-Track eligibility .

Formal Customer Discovery Eligibility Requirement. Companies must have received formal customer discovery training, defined as follows, within the previous two years from the date of the Fast-Track proposal submission.

At least one of the Senior/Key Personnel on the Fast-Track proposal must have undergone formal customer discovery training in relation to the proposed technology via a suitably qualified program, such as the NSF I-Corps program or a program at an incubator or accelerator, with a result that at the start of the Fast-Track project the proposing company has a clear understanding of the product-market fit and initial target customers for the proposed technology.

Complete Team Eligibility Requirement.

Companies must have a complete Fast-Track team in place at the time of proposal submission – i.e., there must be no “to-be-determined” company personnel in budget lines A or B; all company personnel in budget lines A and B must have confirmed their availability for the proposed Fast-Track project per the proposed Phase I and Phase II component budgets; the proposing team must possess the required expertise to perform the proposed Fast-Track project; and the team members must dedicate sufficient time to the technical tasks that must be undertaken to achieve the objectives of the Fast-Track project.

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 small business concern's R&D must be performed within the United States.

Startups and small businesses funded by NSF must be majority U.S.-owned companies. The companies may not be 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 Guide to SBIR/STTR Program Eligibility for more information).

“Collaborative Proposal from Multiple Organizations” (a special proposal type in Research. gov) are not allowed. Socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and women-owned small businesses are also encouraged to apply.

The primary employment of the Principal Investigator (PI) must be with the small business concern at the time of award and for the duration of the award, unless a new PI is approved by NSF. Primary employment is defined as at least 51 percent employed by the small business. NSF normally considers a full-time work week to be 40 hours and considers employment elsewhere of greater than 19.

6 hours per week to be in conflict with this requirement. The PI must have a legal right to work for the proposing company in the United States, as evidenced by citizenship, permanent residency, or an appropriate visa. The PI does not need to be associated with an academic institution.

There are no PI degree requirements (i.e., the PI is not required to hold a Ph. D. or any other degree).

A PI must devote a minimum of three calendar months of effort per six months of performance to an NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track project. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An organization must wait for a determination from NSF (e.g., award, decline, or returned without review) regarding a pending NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot proposal before submitting a new Project Pitch in the next window.

An organization that has submitted a traditional SBIR/STTR Project Pitch, received an invitation to submit a traditional SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal, or has a traditional SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal under review may not submit a Fast-Track Project Pitch until either the traditional SBIR/STTR Project Pitch has been declined (i.e., not invited) or the outcome of the invited traditional SBIR/STTR proposal submission has been made available to the organization.

Proposals that have been Returned Without Review may be submitted using the same Project Pitch invitation (assuming that the proposal is received within 4 months of the original invitation). Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: For NSF SBIR Fast-Track – 1 PI, co-PIs are not allowed.

For NSF STTR Fast-Track - 1 PI and 1 Co-PI are required (the PI must be an employee of the proposing small business and the Co-PI must be part of the STTR partner research institution). An individual may be listed as the PI for only one proposal submitted at a time to the NSF SBIR/STTR programs (including traditional and Fast-Track). For NSF STTR Fast-Track proposals, a person may act as co-PI on an unlimited number of proposals.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent: Not required Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required Full Proposal Preparation Instruction: This solicitation contains information that deviates from the standard NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization's local time): Proposal Review Information Criteria National Science Board approved criteria.

Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Award Administration Information Additional award conditions apply.

Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot 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 Fast-Track pilot programs support moving scientific excellence and technological innovation from the lab to the market.

By funding startups and small businesses, NSF helps build a strong national economy and stimulates the creation of novel products, services, and solutions in private, public, or government sectors with potential for broad impact; 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 US workforce, especially by fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.

While startups and small businesses face many challenges, the NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs are intended to specifically focus on challenges associated with technological innovation; that is, on the creation of new products, services, and other scalable solutions based on fundamental science or engineering.

A successful Fast-Track proposal must demonstrate how NSF funding will help the small business create a proof-of-concept or prototype by retiring technical risk. 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 Fast-Track pilot programs provide non-dilutive funding for the development of deep technologies, based on discoveries in fundamental science and engineering, that offer the potential for societal and economic impacts.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs provide fixed amount cooperative agreements for the development of a broad range of technologies based on discoveries in science and engineering with potential for societal and economic impacts.

Unlike fundamental or basic research activities that focus on scientific and engineering discovery itself, the NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs support the creation of opportunities to move use-inspired and translational discoveries out of the lab and into the market or other use at scale, through startups and small businesses.

The NSF SBIR/STTR pilot programs do not solicit specific technologies or procure goods and services from startups and small businesses. The funding provided is non-dilutive and NSF does not receive any stake or interest in the company or in the intellectual property resulting from the funded effort. NSF promotes inclusion by encouraging proposals from diverse populations and geographic locations.

The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track pilot programs welcome proposals from almost all areas of technology. The program website presents a number of topic areas, but these are only meant to be suggestive of the types of topic areas that are anticipated. The programs are also open to proposals that focus on technical and market areas not explicitly noted in the aforementioned topics.

Proposals that do not have an obvious fit in one of the specific topic