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NSF SBIR is a grant from National Science Foundation (NSF) that supports U.S. small businesses conducting high-risk, high-impact research with strong commercial and societal potential. Phase I awards of up to $305,000 fund early-stage technology development across a broad range of fields including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and clean energy.
Eligible companies must have fewer than 500 employees, be majority-owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and conduct all funded work within the United States. The principal investigator must be employed at least 20 hours per week by the applicant company. Proposals undergo a two-step process beginning with a Project Pitch and are reviewed approximately six months after full submission.
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How It Works - Get Started | 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 . Your company must be a small business (fewer than 500 employees) located in the United States.
At least 50% of your company’s equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. NSF does not fund companies that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital firms, private equity firms, or hedge funds, to participate in SBIR and STTR. All funded work, including work done by consultants and contractors, needs to take place in the United States.
The project’s principal investigator (tech lead) must be legally employed at least 20 hours a week by the company seeking funding. The PI doesn’t need any advanced degrees. The principal investigator needs to commit to at least one month (173 hours) of work on a funded project per six months of project duration.
For more detailed information, check out the Eligibility Guide . Take the Project Pitch Assessment Submit your Project Pitch anytime. Hear back in about 1-2 months.
If you are invited to submit a proposal, complete these steps. We offer multiple submission deadlines, but proposals can be submitted anytime. Proposal Review & Decision About 6 months after you submit, you’ll be notified about funding.
Step 1. Take the project fit assessment Take the project pitch fit assessment to determine if your work meets the NSF’s technological innovation, commercial potential and broader impacts requirements.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: For‑profit U. S. small businesses (under 500 employees) Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $305,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is July 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
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