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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (Department of Transportation) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT SBIR program awards contracts to small businesses for research and commercialization of innovative transportation technologies. Topics vary annually, but commonly include areas like behavioral safety, advanced materials, and traffic monitoring.
Past projects have included smartphone applications for pedestrian safety and intelligent traffic analysis. Small businesses can propose innovative solutions to complex transportation challenges.
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* Volpe Conference Center * Procurement Opportunities * Small Business Innovation Research * Student and Recent Graduate Opportunities * View Our Team’s Journeys to Transportation * Volpe Conference Center * Procurement Opportunities * Small Business Innovation Research * Student and Recent Graduate Opportunities * View Our Team’s Journeys to Transportation U.S. DOT’s Small Business Innovation Research Program _Congressional authorization of the SBIR program expired on September 30, 2025.
In the absence of reauthorization of the program, no new SBIR-related activities may occur at this time. _ No new SBIR-related activities may occur at this time. [](https://www.
volpe. dot. gov/work-with-us/small-business-innovation-research) Stay up to date on SBIR news and events and get notified when U.S. DOT’s next SBIR solicitation opens.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small businesses. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $150,000 to $200,000 for Phase I (example from past solicitation). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The most recent published deadline was July 7, 2026, which has passed. This is an annual program, so a new cycle should follow. Check the funder's website for the next application window.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (Department of Transportation) is funded by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
U.S. DOT's FY26 SBIR Phase I solicitation opens June 3 and closes July 7 with awards in September. Ten topics across FHWA, FRA, FTA, NHTSA, and PHMSA at $200K–$300K each. Why the topic distribution telegraphs DOT's three-year R&D priorities and how niche specialists can win against generalist competitors.
Read articleAs of April 30, 2026, the Department of Transportation had $160.7 billion in unobligated IIJA funding — $74.9 billion of it Highway Trust Fund-backed. The authorization lapsed September 30 and the CR runs to December 11. If you hold a selection letter that is not yet an obligation, that distinction is now the whole risk.
Read articleDOT's FY26 SBIR Phase I opened June 3 and closes July 7 at 3:00 PM ET. Ten topics across FTA, PHMSA, FRA, FHWA, and Volpe span AI trip planning, thermochromic hazmat coatings, lithium-ion fire suppression, and V2X congestion mitigation — a tighter, more product-focused topic list than any of the bigger-name agencies.
Read article