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"Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Phase IB" is currently closed and not accepting applications.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Phase IB is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This program aims to strengthen existing research-based prototypes or products to address pressing problems in education. Successful Phase IB awardees are eligible to apply for a Phase II award.
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ED SBIR 2026: Phase IA vs Phase IB vs Direct to Phase II (Funding Breakdown) — BW&CO Department of Education - SBIR/STTR Opportunities (IA, IB, and DT2) Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section). The U.S. Department of Education (ED), through the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), is offering three SBIR funding tracks in 2026: Phase IA, Phase IB, and Direct to Phase II .
These programs fund education technology companies at different stages—from early prototype to full-scale commercialization. Phase IA: Build a brand-new product (early-stage) Phase IB: Improve an existing product (mid-stage) Direct to Phase II: Scale a proven innovation (late-stage) All three tracks are competitive and mutually exclusive (you cannot submit the same or similar proposal across tracks).
Application deadline: June 29, 2026 at 11:00 a. m. Eastern Time (ET) for Phase IA and IB, and June 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.
m. Eastern Time (ET) for Direct to Phase II. How much funding would I receive?
Phase IA: $250,000 for 9 months Phase IB: $250,000 for 9 months Direct to Phase II: $1,000,000 for 2 years What could I use the funding for?
Across all three tracks, funding supports: Research and development (R&D) Data collection and analysis Personnel and subcontractors Phase IA: Build a new prototype from scratch Phase IB: Develop a new component integrated into an existing product Direct to Phase II:Scale and commercialize an existing evidence-based innovation Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Phase IA and IB awardees can apply for $1,000,000 Phase II funding the following year All tracks provide federal validation and commercialization support Direct to Phase II provides immediate access to $1M scale funding without Phase I What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
White Papers per Program: Continuous, after the posting of Q&As (Preferred) Full proposals: By invitation only Government evaluates for viability If selected → invited to submit full proposal If selected → negotiation → award Not specified in the solicitation. Where does this funding come from?
U.S. Department of Education (ED) Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Who is eligible to apply?
For-profit small businesses Track-specific requirements: Phase IA: Little or no prior product development Phase IB: Must have an existing functioning prototype or product Direct to Phase II: Must work with an existing evidence-based innovation developed by a university or nonprofit and include the original researcher on the team What companies and projects are likely to win?
Phase IA: Novel, high-risk ideas with strong potential impact Phase IB: Companies with working products and a clear, innovative upgrade Direct to Phase II: Teams with strong research evidence and a credible plan to scale Clear problem-solution fit Strong research and technical approach Path to commercialization Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Cannot submit the same or similar proposal across Phase IA, IB, or Direct to Phase II Phase IA: Must be a new, independent product Phase IB: New component must be distinct and not a continuation Innovation must be originally developed by academic or nonprofit researchers Cannot already be widely deployed at scale How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Phase IA / IB: Typically 4–8 weeks Direct to Phase II: Typically 6–10+ weeks Identify the right track (IA vs IB vs Direct to Phase II) Position your company and product for competitiveness Develop full technical, research, and commercialization narratives Build compliant budgets and submission packages Review solicitation here.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning eXtended Reality Robotics & Autonomous Systems Other Tech U.S. DOT SBIR Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Phase I NIH, CDC and FDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Optional) - PA-27-100
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: U.S. small businesses meeting SBA size standards focusing on education technology products for learners, educators, or administrators. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $250,000 for 9 months. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was June 29, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Phase IB is funded by U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
The Department of Education's IES SBIR program is one of the most overlooked non-dilutive funding sources for education-technology startups. It funds prototypes at $250K and proven products at $1M with no equity taken. Here is how the FY2026 tracks work, what reviewers reward, and why the June 29 deadline is tighter than it looks.
Read articleThe Institute of Education Sciences has opened its first research competitions since early 2025: five FY27 competitions due October 1, 2026, with roughly $250 million planned across three tranches. But $224 million in withheld FY2025 funds may expire September 30, and topics are now fixed through FY2029.
Read articleThe Institute of Education Sciences launched no new grant competitions in all of FY2026. On August 6, 2026 it announced a three-tranche FY27 restart: five topic-agnostic competitions due October 1, flagship field-initiated grants held until December, and eight research topics that IES says will persist through FY2029.
Read article