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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (DOE) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE SBIR/STTR programs provide grant opportunities to small businesses performing R&D in support of the DOE mission, which includes a wide range of technical topics and subtopics.
While not explicitly focused on planetary exploration, robotics is a key area of interest, and proposals with potential for commercialization and meeting DOE mission-specific R&D needs may be relevant if they involve robotics or drilling technologies.
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DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) | Department of Energy DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Light Text on a Dark Overlay (Default) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are competitive non-dilutive funding programs that support American small businesses in developing innovative technologies with strong commercial potential.
The DOE recently consolidated the management of the SBIR/STTR programs to the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), reflecting DOE’s focus on moving taxpayer-funded research toward real-world impact. The SBIR/STTR programs align directly with OTC’s mission to accelerate commercialization, streamline innovation pathways, and strengthen engagement between small businesses and the DOE National Laboratory system.
This transition reinforces DOE’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and investing in technological advancements towards energy dominance. Additional resources and program information will be added to this site as program updates are finalized. SBIR and STTR are congressionally authorized programs that reserve a portion of federal research funding for U.S. small businesses.
Through a competitive, phased process, companies receive funding to establish technical feasibility (Phase I), further develop and prototype their technology (Phase II), and pursue commercialization and follow-on opportunities (Phase III). Participation is limited to for-profit U.S. small businesses that meet Small Business Administration eligibility requirements.
DOE coordinates its SBIR/STTR implementation with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971) was signed into law on April 13, 2026.
This Act extends the SBIR/STTR Programs through Fiscal Year 2031. The program is structured across three phases.
Phase I Phase II/IIA/IIB/IIC Phase III Feasibility/Proof of Concept 6 to 12 months in duration Prototyping and Demonstration Up to 2 years in duration Note: Teams can receive multiple sequential Phase II awards to continue developing of promising projects Work that derives from, extends, or completes the effort of prior Phase I and II awards Awardees are responsible for managing their projects in accordance with DOE SBIR/STTR Terms and Conditions.
Required technical and financial reports for projects awarded prior to 2026 are submitted through DOE’s Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS) and FedConnect . DOE maintains requirements related to fraud, waste, abuse, and foreign risk management to protect U.S. taxpayer investments. Awardees must disclose relevant affiliations and comply with all reporting and oversight requirements .
American Made Challenges incentivizes innovation through prizes, training, teaming, and mentoring, connecting the nation’s entrepreneurs and innovators to America’s national labs and the private sector. ConnectWerx administers critical energy opportunities to heighten energy security and strengthen national security ecosystems.
EnergyWerx administers opportunities such as assisting with deployment of innovative energy solutions and more. TechWerx is a hub that connects visionaries, researchers, industry and energy leaders with the opportunities for technological advancement. Will SBIR/STTR opportunities be open for applications in 2026?
Yes, DOE first plans to open an opportunity for select Phase II topics in spring 2026. Later in 2026, there will be an opportunity to apply for Phase I awards across a variety of the latest DOE priority areas. I have a currently active project.
Will it be impacted by the program management transition to OTC? No, currently active projects will not be impacted by this change. All projects awarded prior to March 2026 will continue under the same points of contact.
I have an active Phase I project. Will I have the opportunity to apply for a Phase II award? Yes, recipients of Phase I awards will be able to apply for Phase II awards.
Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to the OTC SBIR/STTR newsletter . What technology areas do the DOE SBIR/STTR programs support? DOE SBIR/STTR topics are drawn from the mission areas of the Department.
DOE offers opportunities annually. Future SBIR/STTR opportunities will address national challenges in advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, quantum information science, semiconductors, energy innovation, and more. What is the difference between SBIR and STTR?
The SBIR program was established by Congress in 1982 [Public Law 97-219]. It major goals are to: Stimulate technological innovation Use small business to meet Federal R/R&D needs Increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R&D, thereby increasing competition, productivity, and economic growth The STTR program was established by Congress in 1992 [Public Law 102-564].
Its major goals are to: Stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions Foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions How can I share my feedback about the SBIR and STTR programs? DOE is committed to continuous program improvement.
You can email SBIR and STTR program feedback and recommendations to sbir-sttr@hq. doe. gov .
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Small businesses conducting Research and Development (R&D) with potential for commercialization and meeting specific DOE mission-specific R&D needs. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Phase I $200,000-$250,000, Phase II $1,100,000-$1,600,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 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.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
The Department of Defense FY2026 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) provides funding for U.S. universities to acquire research equipment and instrumentation in areas important to national defense, including AI and machine learning hardware. The program is administered jointly by the Army Research Office (ARO), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), with approximately $34 million available and 95 awards anticipated. DURIP funds the acquisition of specialized computing hardware for AI/ML research (GPU clusters, TPUs, neuromorphic processors), robotics and autonomous systems testbeds, sensor arrays and data collection systems for machine learning training, high-performance computing infrastructure for defense-relevant AI research, and laboratory equipment for human-AI interaction studies. The program specifically supports equipment that enhances research-related education in DoD-priority disciplines. While general-purpose computing is not eligible, computing equipment directly supporting DoD-relevant AI research programs qualifies. No cost sharing is required.
Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants is sponsored by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). This program supports Caltrans' mission to improve lives and communities by funding projects that promote sustainable, safe, and accessible transportation across California. It includes Sustainable Communities Grants, which encourage local/regional planning supporting state goals and greenhouse gas reduction targets, and Strategic Partnerships Grants, which address statewide, interregional, or regional transportation deficiencies on the State Highway System in partnership with Caltrans.