NOAA SBIR Phase I

NOAA SBIR Phase I (Scheduled)

Supports United States small businesses testing NOAA-focused science and technology concepts through early-stage small-business innovation projects.

The NOAA SBIR Phase I program, administered by NOAA's Technology Partnerships Office, funds proof-of-concept R&D by U.S. small businesses in areas aligned with NOAA's six science and technology priorities: citizen science, data and cloud computing, uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence, 'omics, and related emerging technologies. Phase I awards provide up to $190,000 for up to six months of work. The program is structured as non-dilutive grant funding — no repayment is required and small businesses retain intellectual property rights developed under the award.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. for-profit small businesses with 500 or fewer employees, including affiliates. The company must be American-owned and independently operated. The Principal Investigator must be employed at least 51% by the applicant firm at the time of award, and the company must perform at least two-thirds of Phase I work in-house. All R&D must be conducted in the United States. Women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses receive particular emphasis from NOAA reviewers. Applications are evaluated on a 100-point rubric: 40 points for scientific merit and technical approach, 20 points each for innovation, commercial and societal impact, and investigator qualifications and facilities. Secondary considerations include geographic diversity, past performance, and partnerships.

The FY2025 NOFO (NOAA-OAR-TPO-2025-0001) closed before the FY2026 NOFO was posted; the FY2026 cycle is expected to follow a November-to-February lead-in pattern, with the NOFO posted on Grants.gov under a NOAA-OAR-TPO-2026-NNNN designation. Applicants must submit a NOAA SBIR Cover Page, Research and Related Personal Data Form, Disclosure of Foreign Affiliations Form, a completed Fraud Waste and Abuse Training Certificate, and phase-specific checklists. Phase I awardees become eligible for Phase II funding up to $690,000 over 24 months.