Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs (SBIR/STTR): A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, and Fast-Track Programs: A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation is administered by the National Science Foundation through its Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency established to promote the progress of science and advance national health, prosperity, and welfare. This pilot initiative builds on the long-standing SBIR/STTR programs by specifically focusing on advancing next-generation scientific instrumentation and enabling technologies critical to maintaining U.S. leadership in science and engineering. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support startups and small businesses that are developing novel scientific instruments, experimental platforms, and related technologies that enable breakthroughs in research and innovation. The program emphasizes technologies that support emerging areas such as artificial intelligence-driven discovery and infrastructure necessary for entirely new fields of scientific exploration. The pilot is designed to address market gaps where traditional venture capital may not sufficiently support high-impact but niche scientific instrumentation efforts. Funding is available through multiple mechanisms, including Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, and supplemental awards. Phase I awards support early-stage feasibility research, while Phase II awards fund further development and commercialization readiness. Fast-Track proposals combine both phases into a single application. Additional supplemental funding opportunities, such as Phase IIB and Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships, allow awardees to extend development and accelerate commercialization. Funding supports research and development activities and includes both direct and indirect costs. Cost sharing is explicitly prohibited under this solicitation. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based small business concerns that meet SBIR/STTR program requirements, including a size limit of 500 employees. For STTR proposals, applicants must partner with a nonprofit research institution. Principal Investigators must be primarily employed by the small business and legally authorized to work in the United States. For Phase I and Fast-Track applications, prospective applicants must first submit a Project Pitch and receive an official invitation before submitting a full proposal. Phase II proposals are restricted to prior Phase I awardees within a defined timeframe. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov in accordance with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and specific SBIR/STTR instructions. Required application components include detailed technical proposals, commercialization plans, and supporting documentation aligned with NSF’s merit review criteria. Proposals are evaluated based on Intellectual Merit, Broader Impacts, and Commercial Impact. The review process includes internal NSF review and external expert evaluation. The program features multiple recurring deadlines throughout the year, including July, November, and March submission cycles, with additional annual recurrence patterns specified. Deadlines occur at 5 p.m. local time of the submitting organization. The program is ongoing and recurring annually, providing multiple opportunities for submission. Awards are typically granted as standard grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the phase and funding mechanism, with project durations ranging from 6 months to 24 months or longer depending on the award type. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the SBIR/STTR program office via email at sbir@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-5111. The program is designed to strengthen the U.S. scientific enterprise by enabling innovation through small business participation and supporting transformative technologies that have both scientific and commercial impact.

Focus on demonstrating strong intellectual merit broader impacts and clear commercialization potential while aligning with scientific instrumentation priorities