NASA STTR

NASA STTR Phase I (BAA, Appendix B)

Funds United States small-business and nonprofit research partnerships for early NASA-focused aerospace feasibility work.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

NASA STTR Phase I is the feasibility stage of the Small Business Technology Transfer program operated by NASA, requiring a mandatory partnership between a U.S. small business and a nonprofit research institution. Phase I establishes the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of the proposed innovation and initiates the formal collaboration between the small business and the research partner. Under the 2026–2027 Broad Agency Announcement model, the STTR Phase I Appendix B was released April 21, 2026 and closed May 21, 2026; selections are expected August 2026.

The award cap for STTR Phase I is up to $225,000, matching the raised SBIR Phase I cap for the PY2026 cycle. The performance period for STTR Phase I is 13 months — seven months longer than the SBIR Phase I period — reflecting the additional coordination required between the small business and the research institution. The small business must perform at least 40% of the Phase I work; the partnered nonprofit research institution must perform at least 30%. This work-split requirement is a statutory feature of the federal STTR program and a hard eligibility criterion. Eligible research institutions include U.S. universities, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and other nonprofit research organizations.

Eligibility for the small business mirrors SBIR requirements: 500 or fewer employees, at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or other small businesses, and principally based in the United States. Future STTR Phase I appendices will be released on a rolling basis under the same BAA (valid through September 30, 2027). Applicants choose subtopics from the published appendix and must articulate a clear plan for cooperative research and development as well as commercialization. Successful Phase I awardees may advance to STTR Phase II for awards up to $1,275,000 over 24 months.