Small Business Grants

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II is sponsored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA). Phase II funding for prior USDA SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees to advance R&D toward commercialization in agriculture, food, rural development, biofuels, and related areas. Supports scientific excellence and commercial application.

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II (SBIR/STTR) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs support scientific excellence and technological innovation in the private sector, including in agriculture. Small businesses can engage in research and development with the potential for commercialization. The STTR program specifically stimulates cooperative partnerships between small businesses and research institutions.

Additional Ventures Foundation Heart Research Grants is sponsored by Additional Ventures Foundation. This fund supports research institutions and teams conducting heart disease and cardiovascular research, specifically focusing on mechanistic, translational, or clinical studies on single ventricle heart defects. While not explicitly pediatric cardiac screening for sudden cardiac arrest prevention using AI ECG, it focuses on pediatric heart conditions and research, which could encompass relevant technological advancements.

TRIAGE-X: Autonomous Casualty Triage and Treatment in Chemically Contaminated Mass Casualty Events (DPA26BZ06-DV028) is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This DARPA SBIR topic seeks proposals for the development and demonstration of autonomous medical triage systems capable of recognizing chemical toxidromes and delivering corresponding antidotes or life-saving interventions in mass casualty events.

AFWERX Open Topic (Focused Open Topics for 2026) is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX). The AFWERX Open Topic program, now 'Focused Open Topics' for 2026, allows small businesses to propose their own technology solutions to address Department of the Air Force applications, rather than responding to narrowly defined technical requirements. This includes dual-use technologies applicable to both defense and non-defense markets that can solve a DAF mission need and prototype on an accelerated schedule. Phase I funds customer discovery to identify Air Force end-users for follow-on Phase II contracts.

Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems (DoD SBIR) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This DoD SBIR topic seeks innovative solutions for agile automation in modern Department of Defense manufacturing and depot sustainment environments, specifically focusing on wire harness manipulation and installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Capital Connect Program is sponsored by Economic Development New Mexico (EDNM) Infrastructure Program (funded by U.S. Department of the Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative - SSBCI). This program provides free financial consulting and coaching services to for-profit small businesses across New Mexico to help them become "capital ready." It focuses on very small (fewer than ten employees), minority-owned, rural businesses.

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program (in partnership with LISC) is sponsored by Verizon (in partnership with LISC). In partnership with LISC, Verizon is awarding $10,000 grants to 10 small businesses each month. Owners of for-profit businesses can unlock the grant application by completing any combination of two eligible courses or events through the Digital Ready program.

Texas Rural Health Transformation Program: Maternal Care is sponsored by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This initiative, part of Texas's larger Rural Health Transformation Program, focuses on maternal care through the Lone Star Advanced AI and Telehealth initiative. It funds rural provider networks that bring in specialty providers to deliver telehealth, including maternal care. Small businesses offering maternal health technology solutions via telehealth to rural networks would be relevant partners.

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant Program is sponsored by Verizon (in partnership with Florida SBDC Network). Eligible small businesses can apply for $10,000 grants by participating in the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program. This program offers free business education, coaching, networking, resources, and information about grant opportunities. Businesses become eligible to apply after completing at least two courses.

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready $10,000 National Grant is sponsored by Verizon, in partnership with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation). This program is part of Verizon's commitment to equip small businesses with tools and resources to thrive in the digital economy. Ten small businesses are selected monthly to receive $10,000 grants. Applicants need to complete any two free courses or events on the Digital Ready platform to unlock the application.

Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH) - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Invites eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications to develop products, processes, or services for commercialization that improve minority health and/or reduce and eliminate health disparities.

Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44) is sponsored by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Supports small businesses in developing products, processes, or services aimed at improving minority health and reducing health disparities.

Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44) is sponsored by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health. Supports small businesses developing products, processes, or services to improve minority health and eliminate health disparities in NIH-defined population groups; technologies must be effective, affordable, and culturally acceptable.

Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) is sponsored by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) / National Institutes of Health (NIH). This program supports research and development by small businesses of innovative technologies with commercial potential or significant societal benefits, specifically focusing on improving health in populations that experience health disparities. This includes the development of diagnostic tools, monitoring and informatics devices, wearable technologies, mobile applications, and other digital health and wellness tools to improve heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) health in historically underserved, low-resource, and remote communities.

TechConnect Critical Technology Challenge: Artificial Intelligence is a grant from TechConnect, in partnership with various federal agencies, that funds innovative AI and digital transformation solutions aligned with U.S. national security, societal, and economic priorities. The program is an extension of TechConnect's 25-year Innovation Challenge and provides participants with the opportunity to pitch to key industry, government, and investment decision-makers at a global conference (June 9-11, 2025 in Austin, TX). Participants gain direct access to leadership representing over billion in annual emerging technology funding through SBIR and Other Transaction Authority mechanisms. Eligible applicants include small businesses, university spin-offs, and independent innovators. Awards range from ,000 to ,000. The application deadline is December 15, 2026.

FY26 Phase I Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR Opportunity is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC). This opportunity supports small businesses in developing breakthrough technologies that advance the U.S. Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. It includes the topic area 'Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution' which may be relevant to biotech countermeasure diagnostics.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Phase I (ACL/NIDILRR) is sponsored by Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The purpose of ACL's SBIR program is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through R&D products generated by small businesses. Phase I grants are intended to determine the scientific or technical merit and feasibility of concepts, topics, or ideas. While primarily focused on disability, innovative sports technology that addresses performance or concussion in individuals with disabilities could be relevant.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs – Phase I (Fall Release) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE Office of Technology Commercialization). This core federal program offers non-dilutive funding to small businesses to advance R&D on mission-aligned energy technologies. Relevant subtopics routinely feature industrial energy efficiency, advanced manufacturing power electronics, industrial decarbonization, power quality management, and harmonic mitigation technologies for commercial manufacturing applications.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program provides $300 million in total funding for integrated research, education, and extension projects across six priority areas: Plant Health and Production, Animal Health and Production, Food Safety and Nutrition, Bioenergy and Natural Resources, Agriculture Systems and Technology, and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. The Agriculture Systems and Technology priority area specifically supports advanced technologies including AI, precision agriculture, robotics, sensor systems, and data-driven decision-making in farming and food systems. Awards range from $10,000 to $10,000,000 with most falling in the $500,000 to $750,000 range. The program supports both fundamental and applied research that advances agricultural innovation through emerging technologies. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through December 31, 2026.

Diseases of Agricultural Animals (part of Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's Foundational and Applied Science program) is sponsored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program supports projects that develop strategies to understand, diagnose, control, and prevent agricultural animal diseases. Outcomes include, but are not limited to, new and improved vaccines and diagnostics.

NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (PAR-27-039 SBIR) is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This SBIR program funds small businesses led on a project by a first-time Principal Investigator, combining research and development funding with mentorship and entrepreneurial training for that PI. It is returning for fiscal year 2027 and will allow clinical trials. This would be relevant for a small business startup in medical devices for wound healing where the PI is a new entrepreneur.

NIH SBIR/STTR (NIH Seed Fund) is sponsored by U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Federal grants for US small businesses developing health and life science products. Applications are due on three standard dates a year under NIH's SBIR and STTR funding opportunities. This program supports the critical startup and development stages of health innovation.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants is sponsored by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIEHS STTR Program provides funding to U.S. small businesses in collaboration with research institutions for cooperative research and development, focusing on technological innovation relevant to environmental health and alternative toxicity testing.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program (Forecasted HRSA-27-069) is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The purpose of this program is to strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations to improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission, especially for people not yet in regular HIV care. Activities fall under HIV Care Innovation and Infrastructure Development.

Occupational Safety and Health Research (R01) is sponsored by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This program supports research projects that advance the understanding of risks and conditions associated with occupational diseases and injuries. It aims to identify and evaluate methods to reduce risks, prevent or minimize exposure to hazardous workplace conditions, and translate scientific findings into practical prevention strategies, interventions, and products.

Digital Health Technology and Reciprocal Innovation to Improve Clinical and Public Health Outcomes is sponsored by Fogarty International Center (FIC) - National Institutes of Health (NIH). This initiative supports research on the development, validation, feasibility, and effectiveness of innovative digital health interventions or tools (including mobile health) specifically suited for underserved settings in the U.S. and globally. It emphasizes reciprocal innovation methodologies.

Accelerating Research and Development of Next Generation Vaccines against Malaria - a Model for Mosquito-Borne Diseases (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is sponsored by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Supports research and/or preclinical development of highly efficacious vaccines against malaria by capitalizing on recent technological innovations, particularly in structure-based immunogen design, improved formulations, and combination vaccines.

Small Business Advantage Grant (Pennsylvania) is sponsored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection. This grant program provides assistance to small businesses (100 or fewer employees) to undertake energy efficiency, pollution prevention, or natural resource protection projects. The goal is to enhance a small business's competitiveness while simultaneously improving the environment for Pennsylvania residents. Nonprofits could potentially assist small businesses in applying for or implementing these projects.

ExportMD Grants is sponsored by Maryland Department of Commerce (in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration). This grant provides cash reimbursements to eligible small businesses for expenses related to international expansion, including trade show and trade mission fees, airfare, and marketing. It aims to help Maryland companies grow through exports.

Rural Health Care Program - FY2027 is sponsored by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This program provides discounts on eligible telecommunications and broadband services for eligible rural health care providers. Small businesses that offer telehealth or connected-care platforms relying on supported connectivity can be part of a deployment plan for providers.

NIDA SBIR/STTR Programs (Digital Health Technologies to Address the Social Determinants of Health in context of SUDs) is sponsored by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIDA's SBIR/STTR programs have a specific interest in digital health technologies to address social determinants of health in the context of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). This includes developing innovative technologies targeting SUDs, which aligns with behavioral health technology app innovation.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Applications for the modification or development of new screening technologies for mild hearing loss in infants and young children is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Applications for the modification or development of new screening technologies for mild hearing loss in infants and young children is sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (…

Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide BAA -- HR001126S0015 is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The DARPA Defense Sciences Office (DSO) seeks innovative basic or applied research concepts that align with national security imperatives, aiming to create strategic surprise advantage for the DoD. While not specific to sports, proposals involving advanced sensing, measurement, or complex systems that could have dual-use applications in athlete performance monitoring or concussion detection/prevention technology may be considered. Proposals in novel areas DSO has not considered are also welcome.

Global NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP 14) is sponsored by Empire State Development (New York State). Provides financial awards to small businesses entering or expanding in the export market. Funding can be used for foreign trade missions, international and domestic trade shows, export training workshops, and international marketing campaigns.

The purpose of the NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to facilitate a timely transition of talented postdoctoral researchers with a research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NCI research support during this transition in order to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers. Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-25-135. Assistance Listing: 93.398. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ED,HL.

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement for Foundational Research is sponsored by Department of Defense / DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory. This BAA seeks proposals for basic and applied research that supports ARL's mission to operationalize science, focusing on foundational research areas that offer significant benefits to Army national warfighting and peacekeeping capabilities. It provides multi-year funding for innovative research ideas.

The DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement W911NF-23-S-0001 solicits research proposals for foundational basic and applied scientific research to operationalize science and ensure overmatch in future conflicts. The BAA covers a broad range of research areas with specific AI and machine learning topics including autonomous platforms AI/ML algorithms decision-making support systems human-AI integration synthetic environments and distributed AI methodologies. ARL maintains a rolling research topics document updated regularly with current priority areas. This is distinct from the Army SBIR program and the AI2C BAA as ARL focuses on longer-term foundational research rather than small business innovation or applied AI integration. Awards may include FAR-based procurement agreements grants cooperative agreements and other transaction agreements.

The purpose of this combined Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) under 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200.204 (henceforth referred to as “BAA”) is to solicit research proposals for submission to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) for funding consideration. Prior to this announcement, ARL announced two separate BAAs to support the mission: 1) W911NF-17-S-0002 titled “Army Research Laboratory Army Research Office Broad Agency Announcement for Fundamental Research”; and 2) W911NF-17-S-0003 titled “Army Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement for Basic and Applied Scientific Research”. This announcement succeeds BAA W911NF-17-S-0002 and BAA W911NF-17-S-0003 combining the opportunities into a single announcement. ARL’s mission as the Army’s foundational research laboratory is to Operationalize Science to ensure overmatch in any future conflict. ARL’s foundational research mission spans basic research (budget activity 6.1) and applied research (budget activity 6.2) as defined by 32 CFR 22.105 but may include advanced technology development (budget activity 6.3) and advanced component development and prototypes (budget activity 6.4) when opportunities arise to directly or indirectly help achieve ARL’s mission. ARL partners across the national security enterprise to deliver fundamentally advantageous change that is rooted in the creation and exploitation of scientific knowledge. This publication constitutes a BAA for awards as contemplated in FAR 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 as well as a merit-based, competitive procedure in accordance with the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS) at 32 CFR 22.315(a) and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Other Transaction Guide version 2.0 dated July 2023. This BAA document, and the online list of research topics found on the ARL BAA topics website at https://www.arl.devcom.army.mil/opportunities/arl-baa/, sets forth ARL’s research topics of interest for whitepapers and proposals. This BAA is issued under FAR 6.102(d)(2), which provides for the competitive selection of basic and applied research proposals, and 10 U.S.C. 4001, 10 U.S.C. 4021, and 10 U.S.C. 4022, which provide the authorities for issuing awards under this announcement for basic and applied research. The definitions of basic and applied research may be found at 32 CFR 22.105. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA and selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provision of Public Law 98-369, “The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984” and subsequent amendments. Funding Opportunity Number: W911NF-23-S-0001. Assistance Listing: 12.431. Funding Instrument: CA,G,O,PC. Category: ST.

The goal of the NHLBI Catalyze Program is to provide a comprehensive suite of support and services to facilitate the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates that have been cleared for human testing, and to develop translational researchers fluent in product development and entrepreneurship. This specific Catalyze Product Definition initiative will provide the early stage translational supportneeded for the activities required to identify and characterize potential therapeutic candidates and combination products to treat HLBS diseases and disorders. This initiative has a companion initiative that supports development of devices and diagnostics and is also part of a suite of innovation grants to advance projects to the point where they can meet the entry criteria for the NHLBI Catalyze Preclinical Program. Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HL-26-017. Assistance Listing: 93.233,93.837,93.838,93.839,93.855. Funding Instrument: G. Category: HL.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) intends to support fundamental research that will contribute to basic understanding of skin injuries caused by chemicals that have been identified as public health threats, with an emphasis on investigating the commonalities of such injuries and identifying potential shared signaling pathways and therapeutic targets for medical countermeasure development. Funding Opportunity Number: PA-25-093. Assistance Listing: 93.846,93.855. Funding Instrument: G. Category: HL.

The overarching purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to promote the discovery and/or early evaluation of strong candidate biomarkers and biomarker signatures that can be used as tools to facilitate the clinical development of neurotherapeutics and their use in clinical practice. Specifically, the focus of this FOA is on the identification and initial biological, analytical and clinical evaluation of biomarkers and biomarker signatures for neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Although research supported by this FOA can include animal studies, it must also include preliminary human evaluation using carefully standardized human samples or datasets. The goal of this initiative is to deliver candidate biomarkers or biomarker signatures that are ready for definitive analytical and clinical validation studies. Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-25-024. Assistance Listing: 93.853,93.866. Funding Instrument: G. Category: HL.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation – Main Street Momentum Grant is sponsored by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (in partnership with Main Street Oakland County). A one-time grant opportunity for eligible rural Main Street communities in Oakland County designed to enhance rural downtowns as gathering hubs, grow local capacity, and support small businesses.

Health and Extreme Weather: Advancing Critical Research to Address the Direct and Indirect Health Impacts of Weather-Related Natural Disasters and Emerging Weather-Related Harms is sponsored by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Supports research to understand and mitigate health impacts of extreme weather events, including natural disasters and emerging weather-related harms.

The goal of this NOFO is to fund veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the Vet-LIRN network for grants associated with projects and equipment. Specific objectives include:1. Supporting the development, adaptation, or verification/validation of new methods associated with animal food issues or antimicrobial resistance.2. Short-term surveillance or monitoring efforts aligned with the CVM mission.3. Supporting equipment for testing or developing tests associated with animal food-related issues or antimicrobial resistance, including those for emerging technologies.4. Developing projects related to antimicrobial stewardship, in alignment with CVM's key initiatives in this area.5. Contributing as part of Vet-LIRN's AMR monitoring program, including sequencing isolates.6. Supporting work associated with One Health, including emerging diseases such as COVID-19, when funding is available. Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-23-202. Assistance Listing: 93.103. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: AG,CP,FN. Award Amount: $225K – $2.5M per award.

Digital Twins for Biomedical, Biological and Behavioral Research is sponsored by NIH. This NIH highlighted topic encourages innovative research and prototype development of digital twin technologies for biomedical, biological, and behavioral research and human health. It emphasizes fit-for-purpose digital twins that accelerate scientific discovery and support intelligent medical technologies, aligning with physics-informed AI through the need for predictive models of biological systems updated with real-time data.

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Broad Agency Announcement USSOCOM-BAAST-2020, updated in July 2025, is a long-running open BAA accepting white papers on a rolling basis through December 31, 2030. A major 2025 amendment added a dedicated subsection for Advanced Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence, reflecting SOF's strategic priority to become early adopters of AI technologies as articulated in the SOF Renaissance strategic vision. The AI/autonomy subsection emphasizes modular, open integration of cutting-edge solutions and specifically seeks proposals addressing agentic AI and vision language action (VLA) models for sophisticated autonomous behaviors with adaptive learning, neural radiance fields (NeRFs) for 3D scene representation and navigation, generative AI for simulation and data augmentation, advanced automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithms with edge refinement, and machine learning operations (MLOps) for data management and model monitoring. Solutions must feature well-defined interfaces adhering to open standards to ensure interoperability with existing military architectures. The BAA also covers collaborative autonomy for multiple autonomous or remote-controlled systems sharing data in real-time, equipping small autonomous platforms including drones, ground robots, and uncrewed surface and underwater vessels with ISR and edge computing capabilities. SOFWERX, a military capabilities nonprofit partnering with SOCOM, hosts regular assessment events for selected participants to pitch and demonstrate solutions.