Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs (SBIR/STTR): A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.
NSF’s SBIR/STTR pilot funds up to $2M for startups and small businesses developing next-generation scientific instruments and technologies to advance scientific discovery and innovation in the U.S.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: July 27, 2026 | November 4, 2026 | March 4, 2027 | July 7, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $2 million per company across phases; Phase I up to $305,000; Phase II up to $1,250,000; Fast-Track up to $1,555,000; total estimated program funding $40 million.
Summary: Supports startups and small businesses developing next-generation scientific instrumentation and enabling technologies to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery.
Key Information: Requires Project Pitch and invitation to submit; PI must be primarily employed by the small business.
Description
This funding opportunity from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is a pilot emphasis within the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, focusing on the development of next-generation scientific instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other enabling technologies. The program is designed to strengthen the U.S. scientific and engineering enterprise by investing in startups and small businesses that create critical infrastructure for scientific discovery, particularly in areas where venture capital is unlikely to invest due to small markets but where domestic capability is essential for national security and scientific leadership. The solicitation supports R&D across a broad range of technology areas and is not limited to specific technical fields.
