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NSF SBIR/STTR (America's Seed Fund)

NSF SBIR/STTR Scientific Instrumentation Pilot

Funds US small businesses building new scientific instruments and measurement tools.

CompletedNational Science FoundationUnited StatesDeep-tech · core fit

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

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About

The National Science Foundation (NSF) runs the Scientific Instrumentation Pilot as part of its SBIR/STTR program — the federal grant system that gives money to small, for-profit US companies to build new technology without giving up equity. This pilot is a grant, and companies can apply under any of NSF's standard SBIR/STTR proposal types: Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, or Supplement.

NSF has set…

What this grant funds

Scientific instrumentation research and development. Companies apply through NSF's standard SBIR/STTR proposal types — Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, or Supplement.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.One-off
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.—
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$40M
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Last verified: 30 Jul 2026Source: www.nsf.gov