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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