Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) (and other DOE Offices). The DOE SBIR/STTR programs provide grant opportunities to small businesses for Research and Development (R&D) that supports the DOE mission, including energy production, energy use, fundamental energy sciences, environmental management, and defense nuclear nonproliferation.

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. FY26 Phase I Genesis Mission Opportunity DOE announced the opening of the FY26 Phase I Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR opportunity on July 22, 2026.

These projects will support an anticipated 40 awards across the following four Genesis Mission-focused topic areas: Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery: AI for Quantum Computing and Networking Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality Achieving AI-Driven Autonomous Laboratories This initial release precedes a broader Phase I funding opportunity expected later this fall.

FY25 Phase II Opportunity DOE’s new SBIR/STTR programs will follow the phases illustrated below. Participants will submit a single application to enter the program and may progress to subsequent phases through a series of Go/No-Go decision points. Therefore, once the initial application is submitted, no additional applications will be required.

Instead, participants will advance through subsequent phases at their own pace by successfully meeting established milestones and performance criteria. Will SBIR/STTR opportunities be open for applications in 2026?

DOE has several planned SBIR-STTR announcements this year: Opening for applications to Phase II topics Opening for applications to some Phase I topics Opening for applications to additional Phase I topics 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 .

Are there other DOE opportunities that can support the development or commercialization of my energy technology? 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 facilitates discovery, engagement, and acceleration of energy innovation to strengthen national security and energy resiliency. TechWerx is a hub that connects visionaries, researchers, industry and energy leaders with the opportunities for technological advancement.

SBIR/STTR Applicant Resources Key resources for applicants to the DOE SBIR/STTR programs. SBIR/STTR Applicant Resources Reporting Fraud: SBIR/STTR An overview on combating, understanding, and reporting SBIR/STTR fraud. Reporting Fraud: SBIR/STTR Required SBIR/STTR Registrations There are three essential registrations that small businesses must complete to apply for an SBIR or STTR award.

Required SBIR/STTR Registrations Security Risk Management: SBIR/STTR In the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 and the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act of 2026, Congress established requirements for Federal agencies to create a due diligence program to assess security risks in the SBIR/STTR programs.

Security Risk Management: SBIR/STTR Commercialization Resources Commercialization is a central goal of the DOE SBIR/STTR programs. This page lists resources to help foster success. Commercialization Resources SBIR/STTR Program Policy Factors Program policy factors may be considered in determining funding recipients, in addition to the expert scores and comments.

SBIR/STTR Program Policy Factors Building a Winning SBIR/STTR Team The team that the small business assembles for their SBIR/STTR application is crucial and should demonstrate to the reviewers that the applicant has the necessary expertise, experience, and ability to carry out the proposed project. Building a Winning SBIR/STTR Team SBIR/STTR Phase III Guidance Phase III awards are fundamentally different from Phase I and II awards.

SBIR/STTR Phase III Guidance