NSF SBIR Phase I
Funds United States deep-tech startups demonstrating scientific feasibility of novel science and engineering innovations.
NSF SBIR Phase I is the National Science Foundation's core non-dilutive feasibility grant for U.S. deep-tech small businesses, operating under NSF's America's Seed Fund initiative. Awards are capped at $305,000 in total costs — covering 6 to 18 months of R&D — and NSF takes zero equity and asserts no IP rights in the company or its technology. The annual Phase I pool is approximately $60 million, …
Nearly all areas of deep technology — including AI, semiconductors, robotics, quantum, energy, advanced materials, biological technologies, biomedical devices, photonics, environmental tech, manufacturing, space, and wireless. 26 published topic codes covering essentially the full deep-tech taxonomy.
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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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