Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
Small Business Administration (coordinating 11 participating federal agencies)
SBIR and STTR are federal programs that award competitive, non-dilutive funding to small businesses developing and commercializing new technology. Eleven federal agencies (including DoD, NASA, NIH, NSF, DOE, and USDA) run their own SBIR/STTR solicitations, each targeting technology areas relevant to that agency's mission.
Objectives
The programs aim to stimulate technological innovation, use small businesses to meet federal R&D needs, and increase private-sector commercialization of federally funded research. Awards are structured in phases: Phase I funds feasibility and proof of concept; Phase II funds full R&D and prototype development; Phase III is commercialization, typically without further SBIR/STTR funding but sometimes through a follow-on federal contract.
Who can apply?
- For-profit, US-owned and operated small business with 500 or fewer employees.
- STTR additionally requires a formal collaboration with a US research institution (university, federally funded R&D center, or nonprofit research organization) performing at least 30% of the work.
- Majority-owned by US citizens or permanent residents (with limited venture-capital-ownership exceptions under some agencies).
- Principal investigator's primary employment must generally be with the small business at the time of award and during the project.
What do you get?
- Phase I: awards up to roughly $323,090 (including modifications), typically 6-12 months.
- Phase II: awards up to roughly $2,153,927 (including modifications), typically up to 24 months.
- No equity or repayment required — funding is a federal award, not an investment or loan.
- Awards above these caps are possible with SBA-approved waivers in select topic areas.
How to apply
Each of the 11 participating agencies posts its own SBIR/STTR solicitations on its own schedule. Search open topics and agency-specific solicitations at SBIR.gov, then apply directly through the awarding agency's portal.