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USDA SBIR Phase I

USDA SBIR Phase I

Supports United States small agricultural businesses with feasibility grants for new technologies in food systems and farm operations.

Between cyclesUSDA National Institute of Food and AgricultureUnited States
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About

The USDA Small Business Innovation Research Phase I program, administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, awards competitive grants to for-profit small businesses for feasibility-stage research addressing scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture and related fields. Awards are based on the scientific and technical merit of investigator-initiated ideas, not on comme…

What this grant funds

Phase I feasibility R&D grants up to $175K for small businesses developing innovative technologies across USDA's ten agricultural and food-systems topic areas.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
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.8 months
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.$15.5M
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Eligibility criteria

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Timeline

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Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: www.nifa.usda.gov