USDA SBIR Phase I - Topic 8.2: Water Resources (Discontinued)

USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I is a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that funds innovative, early-stage research by small businesses addressing important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture, food, and rural development. Phase I awards of up to $175,000 support feasibility studies for research ideas that could lead to significant public benefits. The program is administered exclusively by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and awards are based on scientific and technical merit. Eligible applicants are for-profit small businesses that are at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. The USDA SBIR program covers topics spanning 10 research priority areas in agriculture and food science.

USDA SBIR Phase I - 8.12 Small and Mid-Sized Farms is a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that funds small businesses developing AI and robotics technologies for specialty crops, nursery management, and agricultural automation. Awards range from ,000 to ,500 under the Small Business Innovation Research program for Phase I feasibility work. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based small businesses meeting SBA size standards. The topic area is particularly well-suited for companies working on automated plant health monitoring, robotic harvesting for specialty crops, or precision tools applicable to landscaping operations. The deadline is October 1, 2026.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase I (2026 Cycle) is a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that funds early-stage research and development by small businesses in food, agriculture, and rural development. USDA-NIFA administers the program to support innovative technologies with commercial potential that advance U.S. agricultural and food systems. Phase I awards are up to $175,000 and are designed to establish proof-of-concept for proposed innovations. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based for-profit small businesses meeting standard SBIR eligibility requirements.

EPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Solicitation is a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that funds feasibility studies by small businesses developing innovative technologies to address environmental challenges. Priority research areas include sustainable chemistry, air and water quality, circular economy solutions, PFAS destruction, and climate resilience. Eligible applicants are U.S. small business concerns with 500 or fewer employees. Phase I awards are up to ,000, with successful awardees eligible to compete for Phase II awards to develop and demonstrate prototypes.

USDA SBIR Phase I – AgTech (including precision farming, drone-based technologies) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). This grant funds early-stage research and development in agricultural technology, including precision farming and drone-based technologies. While not directly 'counter-UAS defense,' it supports innovation in drone technology which could have dual-use applications or contribute to a broader understanding of UAS for defense purposes.

Water Power SBIR and STTR Topics for FY25 Phase I (Innovations in Data Collection, Analytics, Models, and Tools (Energy-Water Nexus Crosscut)) is sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE). This topic seeks innovative technologies and approaches for expedited deployment of conduit hydropower and state-of-the-art data collection, analytics, models, and tools to help solve design challenges, make maintenance decisions, and develop new operating regimes for hydropower projects. This could include water quality sensor applications.