NSF Small Business Innovation Research Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs
Limited submission
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs fund innovative technology research for startups, promoting economic growth and diverse entrepreneurship in the U.S.
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U.S. National Science Foundation has archived this opportunity.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: September 18, 2024 | November 6, 2024 | March 5, 2025 | July 2, 2025 | November 5, 2025
Funding Amounts: Up to $305,000 per award for 6–18 months; ~280 awards/year; total program ~$85M
Summary: Supports startups and small businesses in high-risk, use-inspired R&D for innovative technologies with strong commercial and societal impact potential.
Key Information: Project Pitch submission and NSF invitation required before proposal; only one proposal per company per deadline.
Description
This program provides non-dilutive funding through the NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Programs. Its goal is to support startups and small businesses conducting high-risk, use-inspired research and development (R&D) on unproven, leading-edge technologies with the potential for significant societal and economic benefits. The NSF seeks innovations underpinned by new scientific discoveries or engineering advances that require substantial technical development before commercialization.
The program does not target specific technology areas; proposals are welcome from nearly all areas of science and engineering, except for those involving clinical trials or commercialization pathways involving Schedule I controlled substances. The focus is on enabling proof-of-concept or prototype development, reducing technical risk, and demonstrating feasibility for commercialization.
