Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II
USDA Phase II funding supports small business research, technological innovation, commercialization, and cooperative partnerships with research institutions.
Funder: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates: November 17, 2026 (FY 2026) | September 21, 2027 (FY 2027, tentative)
Funding Amounts: $600,000–$650,000 per award, normally 24 months (up to 36 months in special cases)
Summary: Supports small businesses continuing Phase I research toward commercial agricultural technologies and innovations.
Key Information: Only previous SBIR/STTR Phase I recipients are eligible to apply.
Description
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers SBIR/STTR Phase II to support scientific excellence, private-sector technological innovation, and commercial application of federally supported research. Phase II continues research and development established during Phase I, with the goal of bringing innovations toward the marketplace. STTR specifically supports formal partnerships between small businesses and research institutions.
Projects must combine research with a commercial outcome, rather than seek funding solely for product development. The program covers ten agricultural and rural-development topic areas. USDA priorities include farmer and rancher profitability, new markets for agricultural products, protection against invasive species, soil health, and human health through precision nutrition and food quality. Applicants are encouraged to engage farmers, ranchers, and foresters to ensure relevance.
