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NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs SBIR/STTR: Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF).
This program provides non-dilutive funding for startups and small businesses to develop 'deep technologies' into commercially viable products and services with significant economic and security impacts. It supports early-stage research and development with an emphasis on de-risking high-risk science/engineering aspects.
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Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs SBIR/STTR: Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs SBIR/STTR: Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements .
All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects. NSF invests in scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs, and transformative innovations that strengthen economic growth, enhance security, and improve the lives of Americans and people around the world.
In support of this mission, NSF is relaunching its SBIR/STTR programs (also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF) following enactment of the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act to invest in startups and small businesses transforming high-risk technologies into products and services with commercial impacts.
By investing federal R&D funds in start-ups and small businesses, NSF strengthens the national economy by stimulating private sector innovation, commercializing federally-funded research outputs, and supporting the American scientific enterprise. This investment enhances job creation while developing and expanding the U.S. workforce.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs fund across nearly all technology areas and market sectors; the programs do not solicit specific technologies or procure goods and services from startups and small businesses. Each company can receive up to $2 million for R&D. NSF takes no equity and awardees keep full ownership of their company and intellectual property.
In addition to these SBIR/STTR programs, NSF is also separately piloting a new emphasis area (see here) focused on enabling technologies that include next-generation instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other scientific equipment to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and strengthen the American scientific and engineering enterprise.
Additional program resources Solicitation Information Link Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Small businesses applying for NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I funding. For Phase II, a small business concern must have received an NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award. STTR proposals require a subaward to a not-for-profit research institution. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Phase I: up to $305,000; Phase II: up to $1,250,000; Fast-Track: up to $1,555,555 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. 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.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
Agricultural Technologies (AG) - NSF SBIR/STTR is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The Agricultural Technologies topic supports innovations enabling farm production ecosystems that support the proper utilization of natural resources. Such technologies may encompass systems-level and multidisciplinary solutions to enable complex agricultural practices that support increased biodiversity balanced with yield production. Sub-topics include food waste mitigation, resilient supply & distribution, and other agricultural technologies.
Engineering of Biomedical Systems (EBMS) Program is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The EBMS program supports fundamental and transformative research at the interface of engineering and biomedical sciences to solve biomedical problems. Projects should focus on high-impact, transformative methods and technologies, including the development of validated models (living or computational) of normal and pathological tissues and organ systems, and advanced biomanufacturing of three-dimensional tissues and organs.
NSF ADVANCE program is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF ADVANCE program aims to broaden the implementation of evidence-based systemic change strategies that promote equity for STEM faculty in academic workplaces and the academic profession. The program provides grants to enhance systemic factors that support equity and inclusion and to mitigate systemic factors that create inequities in the academic profession and workplaces.
Creative Arts Business Specific Grant (October) is a grant from WomensNet (Amber Grant Foundation) that funds women entrepreneurs running creative arts businesses. Each October, WomensNet awards a ,000 category-specific Amber Grant to a woman-owned creative arts business, recognizing the diversity of women-led enterprises. Monthly grant winners also become eligible for one of three ,000 year-end Amber Grants. Founded in 1998 to honor Amber Wigdahl, the program issues at least ,000 in grants monthly across several categories, including startup and business-specific grants. Eligible applicants are women entrepreneurs with a creative arts business who submit the standard Amber Grant application—one application provides eligibility for all applicable grants. No lengthy forms are required.
Since its inception in 1953, SBA has served to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small businesses. While SBA is best known for its financial support of small businesses through its many lending programs, the Agency also plays a critical role in providing funding to organizations that deliver technical assistance in the form of counseling and training to small business concerns and nascent entrepreneurs in order to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity and management improvement. The mission of SBA’s Office of Innovation & Technology, which bears responsibility for administering the FAST Program, is to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small businesses across the country through coordination of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The FAST program focuses on increasing the participation of small firms in the innovation and commercialization of high risk technologies, keeping the United States on the cutting edge of next generation research and development. The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides one year funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals (through outreach and financial support); increase the number of SBIR/STTR awards (through technical assistance and mentoring); and better prepare SBIR/STTR awardees for commercialization success (through technical assistance and mentoring). Funding Opportunity Number: FAST-2018-R-0012A. Assistance Listing: 59.058. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,ST. Award Amount: $50K – $125K per award.