The NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Pilot Initiative is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) designed for small businesses with a complete team and well-defined business model ready to pursue both Phase I and Phase II research simultaneously. Phase I awards provide up to $400,000 and Phase II awards up to $1,155,000, with the Fast-Track structure eliminating the typical gap between phases.

Eligible applicants are U.S. small business concerns. The program is intended for companies where scientific or technical readiness can be validated early, enabling faster commercialization timelines. A webinar recording from July 2024 provides detailed guidance on the Fast-Track application process and requirements.

NEW SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Pilot | 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 . NEW SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Pilot Please watch a webinar recorded in July 2024 for more information or download the slides .

The Fast-Track program is intended for small businesses with a complete team at the time of proposal submission and a more fully defined business model than is required of a traditional SBIR/STTR Phase I awardee. In Fast-Track awards, the underlying scientific or technical readiness can be validated by the prior NSF research support (see below).

A single Fast-Track proposal may be submitted for up to $400,000 in R&D funding for Phase I, with a duration of 6 to 12 months, and up to $1,155,000 for Phase II over an additional 18 to 24 months. For more information, view the solicitation .

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify to apply for Fast-Track funding, the proposing small business must satisfy all the following conditions: Have submitted a SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Project Pitch and received an official invitation from a cognizant NSF SBIR/STTR Program Director, within the 4 months preceding the proposal submission date.

Have received research funding from current NSF-funded research or research that has been funded by NSF within five years prior to the proposal submission date, as defined in the solicitation. (For the purposes of Fast-Track eligibility, I-Corps funding and NSF SBIR/STTR funding do not count as NSF research funding, while Partnerships for Innovation funding does count as NSF research funding.)

Have received formal customer discovery training (such as I-Corps) within the previous two years, as measured from the date of the Fast-Track proposal submission. Have a confirmed and complete team in place at the time of Fast-Track proposal submission.

Have met the small business eligibility requirements as noted in the Eligibility Guide and must be in compliance with the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive(s) and the Code of Federal Regulations (13 CFR Part 121). For STTR proposals, the applicant small business must also include a partner research institution in the project. The NSF-funded R&D must be performed within the United States.

Startups and small businesses funded by NSF must be majority U.S.-owned and U.S.–operated companies, as defined in the SBIR/STTR Program Eligibility Guide. “Collaborative Proposal from Multiple Organizations” (a special proposal type in Research. gov) are not allowed.

Submit an SBIR/STTR Fast Track pitch here.