DOE Opens FY2026 SBIR Phase II Funding for Quantum and Clean Energy R&D
March 4, 2026 · 2 min read
Claire Cummings
The Department of Energy's Office of Science issued its FY2026 SBIR/STTR Phase II Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement on March 2, opening the door for small businesses to pursue expanded R&D contracts worth up to $1.1 million over two years.
What's on the Table
DOE's SBIR/STTR program is one of the largest in the federal portfolio, awarding approximately 400 Phase I and 200 Phase II grants annually from a budget exceeding $300 million. The program spans more than 60 technical topics and 250 subtopics, covering DOE's core mission areas: energy production, energy efficiency, fundamental energy sciences, environmental management, and defense nuclear nonproliferation.
This release cycle includes topics in quantum information science, advanced computing, atmospheric measurement technology, and multiple clean energy domains — areas where DOE has been steadily increasing its investment footprint.
Key Dates and Dollar Figures
Phase II awards fund expanded R&D over 24 months at up to $1.1 million per project — a substantial step up from Phase I's $200,000 ceiling over nine months. The Phase II Release 2 FOA follows Phase I Release 2 applications that closed February 25, with award notifications expected by late May 2026.
Companies with active or recently completed Phase I awards should review the full topic list at science.osti.gov/sbir. The program office can be reached at sbir-sttr@science.doe.gov or (301) 903-5707.
Why This Matters for Small Business Innovators
With the SBIR/STTR reauthorization now moving through Congress, DOE's continued release of FY2026 solicitations signals stability for the small business R&D pipeline. Phase II is where laboratory concepts become working prototypes — and where DOE's "Phase Shift" commercialization support kicks in to help awardees bridge the gap between research and market.
For energy-focused startups navigating DOE's broader funding landscape, tools like Granted can surface opportunities across agencies before deadlines close. Deeper analysis of DOE's FY2026 SBIR priorities is available on the Granted blog.