NASA Overhauls SBIR Program With Broad Agency Announcement Model
March 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Claire Cummings
NASA is replacing its traditional SBIR solicitation cycle with a Broad Agency Announcement, marking the most significant structural change to the agency's small business innovation program in its four-decade history. The shift comes just weeks after Congress reauthorized the SBIR/STTR programs through September 2031.
How the New Model Works
Under the old system, NASA released annual solicitations with fixed topic lists and rigid submission windows. The BAA model allows the agency to release subtopics on a rolling basis, responding to emerging technology needs without waiting for the next annual cycle.
A pilot appendix — expected to include a small number of SBIR subtopics — has a release date still to be determined. NASA has posted a Program Year 2026 Information Hub to keep applicants updated on the transition timeline and pilot details.
Why Small Businesses Should Pay Attention
The BAA structure changes competitive dynamics fundamentally. Companies can no longer rely on a single annual deadline cycle. Teams will need to monitor the BAA continuously and maintain proposal-ready materials for when relevant subtopics appear.
The upside is real, though. Companies whose technology didn't fit neatly into previous solicitation categories may find better alignment with more targeted, timely subtopic releases. The BAA's flexibility also lets NASA fund emerging areas — AI for mission planning, advanced propulsion, in-space manufacturing — without waiting 12 months for the next solicitation window.
What SBIR Veterans Should Do Now
Bookmark NASA's 2026 Information Hub and sign up for notifications. The pilot will test the new model, and early applicants will help shape how NASA refines the process going forward.
NSF has separately paused new SBIR/STTR Project Pitch submissions while implementing reauthorization changes, meaning the entire federal SBIR landscape is in transition simultaneously. Small businesses tracking these shifts across agencies can use Granted for real-time updates on when each pipeline reopens.