NSF SBIR Phase I (America's Seed Fund at NSF)
Funds early-stage US deep-tech startups to build and validate proof-of-concept technology through NSF's SBIR Phase I award.
Applicants first submit a brief Project Pitch via NSF's SBIR site and receive feedback before filing a full SBIR or STTR proposal through NSF's FastLane or Research.gov platform by the solicitation deadline. NSF often pairs this funding with I-Corps, an intensive commercialization training programme, alongside the core technical award.
NSF's Phase I award targets early-stage startups with strong technical novelty across broad science and engineering domains, emphasising transformative rather than incremental technologies. It funds proof-of-concept work and validation of commercial potential rather than later-stage scale-up.
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Guides for this application
All guides →NSF Seed Fund for Startups: How Deeptech Founders Should Approach NSF SBIR/STTR
A founder-focused guide to NSF America's Seed Fund, including NSF SBIR/STTR fit, Project Pitch strategy, merit review, eligibility, budgets, and commercialization logic.
Where to applySBIR/STTR Grants for Deeptech Startups
A practical guide to SBIR and STTR grants for deeptech startups, including agency fit, Phase I and II logic, eligibility, budgets, and review criteria.
DocumentsNSF Biosketch Guide: SciENcv, Format, and Examples
Learn how the NSF biosketch works, what SciENcv is used for, how it differs from current and pending support, and what startup teams should prepare.
DocumentsNSF Data Management Plan Example and Writing Guide
Learn how to write an NSF data management plan, what the plan should include, how it differs from NIH data sharing plans, and how startup applicants should handle data.
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