Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: July 27, 2026 (Full proposal) | November 4, 2026 (Full proposal) | March 4, 2027 (Full proposal) | July 7, 2027 (Full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Phase I: up to $305,000, 6–18 months; Phase II: up to $1,250,000, typically 24 months; Fast-Track: see component limits below
Summary: Supports startups and small businesses developing high-risk deep technologies into commercially impactful products and services.
Key Information: Phase I and Fast-Track full proposals require an official NSF Project Pitch invitation.
Description
America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF supports startups and small businesses turning high-risk scientific and engineering discoveries into commercial products and services. Administered by NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, the SBIR/STTR programs fund technical R&D across nearly all technology areas and market sectors, rather than soliciting specific technologies or procuring goods and services.
The programs seek innovations with intellectual merit, societal benefits, and significant commercial potential. Funding is intended to address early technical risks while advancing business viability through stronger teams, customer engagement, business-model validation, follow-on funding readiness, and intellectual property positioning. The broader goals are to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and security, commercialize federally funded research, create jobs, and expand the scientific and technical workforce.
