NSF Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR/STTR)
Gives U.S. small businesses non-dilutive R&D funding for high-risk, high-impact deep-tech across nearly every technical field, from a Phase I award through a larger Phase II award.
NSF's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program pays a small business up to $305,000 for early feasibility work under a Phase I award, then up to $1,250,000 over two years under a Phase II award for companies that make enough progress. Companies start by submitting a required Project Pitch; NSF responds in one to two months on whether to invite a full propos…
NSF wants substantial high-risk research and development, not straightforward engineering or incremental product development, with strong commercial potential and societal impact. The program lists dozens of technology topics — from advanced manufacturing and materials to AI, quantum, robotics, space, semiconductors and biomedical technology — but a catch-all Other Topics category means virtually any deep-tech innovation with commercial promise can apply.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see what you submit
Sign up free to see how they score you
Sign up free to see the timeline
Sign up free to see where teams trip up
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.
More from NSF
All grants from this funder →Geometric Analysis
🇺🇸NSF · United States
Funds differential geometry and its links to partial differential equations, mathematical physics, symplectic and geometric group theory — 60 awards.
Topology
🇺🇸NSF · United States
Funds algebraic and geometric topology — homotopy theory, K-theory, knots, manifolds, quantum field theories and topological data analysis.
NSF SBIR Phase I
🇺🇸NSF · United States
Funds United States deep-tech startups demonstrating scientific feasibility of novel science and engineering innovations.
NSF SBIR Phase II
🇺🇸NSF · United States
Funds United States deep-tech startups extending proven early projects into substantial technology development.
NSF STTR Phase I
🇺🇸NSF · United States
Funds United States deep-tech startups partnering with nonprofit research institutions for early-stage feasibility studies.
NSF STTR Phase II
🇺🇸NSF · United States
Funds United States deep-tech projects that continue with nonprofit research partners after successful initial feasibility work.
Similar grants
Browse the directory →
DHS Small Business Innovation Research Program
🇺🇸DHS · United States
Funds U.S. small businesses developing homeland security technologies through DHS SBIR grants.
NIAMS SBIR — Small Business Innovation Research
🇺🇸NIAMS · United States
Supports small businesses and researchers advancing arthritis, skin, and musculoskeletal innovation through staged aid.
Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
🇺🇸USDA NIFA · United States
Funds agriculture, natural-resource and human-science research capacity at 35 named Tribal Colleges and Universities.
Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
🇺🇸AFOSR · United States
Funds research equipment and instrumentation for U.S. universities doing science important to national defense.
Business Oregon Small Business Sustainability Fund (SBSF) Grant
🇺🇸Business Oregon · United States
Funds Oregon small businesses with grants of up to $75,000 for capital improvements, equipment, and working capital, paired with private financing and consulting.
Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program
🇺🇸NIH · United States
Funds a shared, state-of-the-art research instrument or system, from $300,000 up to $5,000,000, consolidating three older instrumentation programs.