NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II Programs

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, administers the NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II Programs under solicitation NSF 24-580. These programs, also known as “America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF,” are designed to provide non-dilutive funding to startups and small businesses to support the transition of innovative research into scalable products and services with both societal and economic impact. The solicitation is open to companies that have already received an NSF Phase I SBIR or STTR award and are continuing the development of their technology towards commercialization. NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II awards are intended for research and development efforts that follow a successful Phase I award, moving discoveries based on scientific or engineering research toward real-world implementation. The awards aim to help companies address technical development barriers and validate their commercial potential. Phase II proposals must be submitted within 6 to 24 months after the start of the respective Phase I project. Applicants can request up to $1,250,000 in funding, inclusive of all costs, with projects typically spanning 24 months. The funding supports a variety of technological fields including engineering, biological sciences, geosciences, computer science, education, and more. SBIR and STTR differ primarily in the required involvement of a research institution in STTR projects. Eligible applicants must qualify as small business concerns (SBCs), defined as independently owned and operated businesses with fewer than 500 employees, and must be majority U.S.-owned. For STTR awards, the SBC must collaborate with a U.S.-based research institution, allocating a minimum of 30% of the work to that institution and at least 40% to the business. SBIR projects require that at least 50% of the work be conducted by the small business itself. Firms whose Phase I awards have been terminated or suspended pending investigation are ineligible. Individuals named as Principal Investigators must devote at least one calendar month of effort every six months and meet U.S. employment and legal work eligibility requirements. Applications must be submitted via Research.gov; submissions via Grants.gov are not accepted. The full proposal includes several mandatory components such as project description, commercialization plan, budget, and letters of support. Notably, three letters of support from potential users or customers are required, with up to five allowed. If a proposal includes a subaward, a signed Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Agreement is strongly encouraged and mandatory for STTR proposals. Additional requirements include various personnel certifications, disclosures, and compliance with relevant legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act and the National Defense Authorization Act. Submissions are accepted according to the following deadlines: September 18, 2024; November 6, 2024; March 5, 2025; July 2, 2025; and November 5, 2025. These deadlines represent recurring cycles, indicating that the program is recurring but not rolling. All proposals are evaluated according to NSF’s standard merit review criteria—Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts—with added emphasis on Commercialization Potential. This includes a clear plan for market opportunity, competitive advantage, technical development, and financial sustainability. Contact for the program is directed through the Phase I Program Officer at sbir@nsf.gov or by phone at 703-292-8050. The program anticipates distributing 90–100 Phase II awards annually, with approximately $120 million in total funding allocated between the SBIR and STTR tracks.

Submit early, complete certifications, and adhere to required document formats.