NASA SBIR Phase I

NASA SBIR Phase I is the agency's first small-business research step for space and aerospace work. NASA is an independent federal agency with 20 centers and a mission focused on exploration, innovation, and public benefit, and its SBIR/STTR portfolio now runs through a BAA-style solicitation structure. Phase I is the feasibility stage, so the point is to test whether a concept can survive technical scrutiny and map to a NASA need. The award is fixed at $225,000, with a six-month project period. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-incorporated for-profit small businesses that are at least 51 percent U.S.-owned and working at TRL 2 to 4 in space or aerospace. The current cycle follows a BAA structure with appendix-based releases through the year, proposal limits reset by appendix, and same-topic Phase I work cannot be stacked. The strongest applications are tightly tied to a mission-relevant problem, not just to a generic space theme. NASA rewards applicants who show technical credibility, a realistic six-month plan, and a clear path from concept validation to later transition programs such as Phase II or Ignite. A concise scope matters here because the program is built to compare many small businesses against the same technical need.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.