NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs | 24 579

Opportunity Information: Apply for 24 579

The NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I programs are National Science Foundation grant opportunities that provide non-dilutive funding to startups and small businesses to pursue early-stage, use-inspired research and development on high-risk, high-reward technology innovations. The core purpose is to move unproven but potentially transformative scientific or engineering advances toward real-world products and services that address societal challenges, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness, and support job creation. NSF emphasizes that these programs are not procurement vehicles and do not solicit a narrow list of topics; instead, they fund broadly across scientific and engineering disciplines, backing innovations that can scale into sustainable businesses and deliver significant public benefit.

NSF is specifically looking for technology concepts that are genuinely leading-edge and not yet reduced to practice, where it is still uncertain whether the idea can be made to work reliably in a product or service. Competitive projects generally rest on a new scientific discovery or a meaningful engineering breakthrough, require substantial additional technical R&D to become feasible and dependable, and offer a defensible competitive advantage that is difficult for capable competitors to replicate. NSF also expects that, if the technical barriers are overcome, the resulting solution could disrupt an existing market or create an entirely new market or market segment. In short, Phase I is meant to prove technical feasibility and de-risk the hardest parts of the innovation so the company has a credible path to commercialization.

A major feature of the opportunity is that the funding is non-dilutive, meaning NSF support does not require giving up equity in the company. At the same time, inventions developed with the assistance of SBIR/STTR funding fall under the Bayh-Dole Act framework, which governs rights and obligations related to inventions arising from federally supported research. NSF also highlights its interest in broadening participation and encourages proposals from the full range of U.S. talent, including underrepresented and underserved communities, with explicit encouragement for socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.

Eligibility and the submission process have several important gatekeeping requirements. Companies must qualify as a U.S. small business concern under SBA rules, including the general size limit of no more than 500 employees when affiliates are included, and must comply with the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive and applicable federal regulations (including 13 CFR Part 121). For STTR submissions in particular, the small business must partner with an eligible research institution as part of the project. Another key procedural step is that applicants cannot submit a full proposal without first obtaining an official NSF invitation: prospective applicants must submit a brief Project Pitch through NSF’s seed fund portal and receive an invitation from the cognizant NSF Program Officer. That invitation is time-limited and is valid for only two proposal deadlines after the invitation date; after that, a new Project Pitch and invitation are required.

The opportunity also includes restrictions tied to federal security and research integrity requirements. Under provisions implemented in line with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, certain persons or entities identified as prohibited (including those appearing on specific federal lists referenced in the solicitation) may not receive or participate in awards or other activities under NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), which houses these programs. Separately, individuals who are currently party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program are not eligible to serve as a Senior/Key Person on NSF proposals or awards made after May 20, 2024, and required certifications must be made by the organization’s Authorized Organizational Representative as part of the submission.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program administered by the National Science Foundation under the TIP Directorate. The funding opportunity is listed as “NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs” (Funding Opportunity Number 24-579), with activity categorized as science and technology research and development. The original closing date shown in the notice is September 18, 2024, and applicants should plan around the Project Pitch invitation window so they remain eligible for the relevant submission deadlines.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 24 579

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: