NSF Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Fast-Track Pilot Programs

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Description

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Fast-Track Pilot Programs provide non-dilutive funding to help startups and small businesses move transformative, use-inspired scientific and engineering discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. The Fast-Track mechanism allows eligible companies to submit a single proposal covering both Phase I (proof-of-concept) and Phase II (prototype/commercialization) activities, enabling a faster transition between phases compared to the traditional two-step process.

The program is designed to stimulate technical innovation, foster economic growth, and create societal impact by supporting the development and commercialization of novel products, services, or solutions. It is open to a broad range of technology areas and encourages participation from diverse and underrepresented groups.

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Due Dates

• September 18, 2024
• November 6, 2024
• March 5, 2025
• July 2, 2025
• November 5, 2025

All proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization.

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Funding Amount

• Maximum award: $1,555,000 per project
  • Phase I: up to $400,000 (6–12 months)
  • Phase II: up to $1,155,000 (18–24 months)
• Project duration: 24–36 months total
• Funding type: Fixed amount cooperative agreement; non-dilutive (no equity taken)
• Estimated number of awards: ~36 (20 SBIR, 16 STTR, subject to availability of funds)
• Total program funding: ~$56 million

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Eligibility

Who can apply:

• U.S.-based small businesses (≤500 employees, including affiliates) that are majority U.S.-owned and operated.
• Must have a prior NSF research award (active within the last 5 years) as the technical lineage for the proposed innovation. Acceptable lineage includes most NSF research awards, Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards. NSF I-Corps and prior SBIR/STTR awards do not count as lineage.
• At least one Senior/Key Personnel must have completed formal customer discovery training (e.g., NSF I-Corps or equivalent) within the past 2 years.
• The full project team must be in place at proposal submission (no “to-be-determined” personnel in key roles).
• Must receive an official invitation to submit a full proposal via the NSF Fast-Track Project Pitch process.
• For STTR proposals: must include an eligible research institution partner (e.g., university, nonprofit, or FFRDC).

Additional requirements:

• PI’s primary employment (≥51%) must be with the small business at the time of award and throughout the project.
• Only one Fast-Track proposal per organization and per PI at a time.
• R&D must be performed in the U.S.
• Companies majority-owned by venture capital, hedge funds, or private equity are not eligible.
• Socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses are encouraged to apply.

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Application Process

1. Project Pitch: Submit a Fast-Track Project Pitch via the NSF Seed Fund portal. Only those invited may submit a full proposal.

2. Registration: Register your business with SAM.gov, SBA Company Registry, and Research.gov.

3. Full Proposal Submission: Prepare and submit your proposal through Research.gov. Proposals are not accepted via Grants.gov.

4. Required Documents:

   • Project Summary and Description (10–15 pages)
   • Phase I and II R&D plans and budgets
   • Company and team overview
   • Commercialization plan
   • Broader impacts statement
   • Biographical sketches, current/pending support, collaborators/affiliations, and synergistic activities for all key personnel (using SciENcv)
   • Three (3) required Letters of Support from potential users/customers (up to five allowed)
   • Letters of Commitment from subawardees/consultants (if applicable)
   • IP Rights Agreement (required for STTR, strongly recommended for SBIR with subawards)
   • Data Management and Sharing Plan
   • Project Schedule
   • Other supplementary documents as required

5. Review Process: Proposals are evaluated on Intellectual Merit, Broader Impacts, and Commercialization Potential. Both Phase I and II components are reviewed together.

6. Phase II Transition: After Phase I, companies must pass two stage-gate reviews (progress evaluation and financial review) to receive Phase II funding. If not approved, the award concludes after Phase I.

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Additional Information

• No clinical trials or projects involving Schedule I controlled substances are supported.
• No cost sharing is required or allowed.
• Highly competitive: Only a fraction of eligible proposals are funded.
• Declined Fast-Track proposals are not eligible for reconsideration or resubmission; a new Project Pitch is required for future attempts.
• Supplemental funding opportunities may be available for awardees (see NSF Seed Fund supplements).
• Awardees must attend the NSF SBIR/STTR Awardees’ Conference.

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External Links

• NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Pilot Programs Solicitation
• Download the full solicitation (PDF)
• NSF Seed Fund Project Pitch Portal
• NSF SBIR/STTR Program Overview
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• SBIR/STTR Eligibility Guide (PDF)
• NSF SBIR/STTR Merit Review Criteria
• NSF Supplemental Funding Overview

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Contact Information

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