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The USDA NIFA SBIR/STTR program funds small business research in agricultural innovation with ten priority topic areas including precision agriculture, crop monitoring, food safety technology, animal health, plant genomics, sustainable forestry, rural broadband, and agricultural AI applications.
Precision agriculture and crop monitoring consistently represent the largest funded topic cluster, including AI-powered technologies for variable-rate application, crop health assessment via remote sensing or ground-based sensors, automated scouting systems, and yield prediction models.
The FY2026 solicitation targets technologies that improve agricultural productivity, food safety, natural resource management, and rural economic development.
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Search similar grants →Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Open to for-profit small businesses that are at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. Research must address USDA priority areas in agriculture, food, and rural development. Phase II awards are restricted to previous Phase I awardees. Proposals evaluated on scientific and technical merit (40%), commercial potential (30%), and qualifications of research team (30%). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Phase I awards up to $175,000 for 8 months (SBIR) or 12 months (STTR). Phase II awards up to $600,000 for 24 months. Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) available: up to $6,500 in Phase I and up to $50,000 in Phase II. USDA distributes $40-50 million in SBIR funding annually. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is July 15, 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.
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). These programs support small businesses in conducting high-quality research and development related to scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture, including innovative technologies and practices that align with climate-smart solutions and resilient ecosystems, relevant to regenerative agriculture.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs (USDA NIFA) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR and STTR programs offer competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses for high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.