FY22 SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II opened on 1/11/2022.
Submission window close dates are 3/3/2022, 6/30/2022, and 10/26/2022.
Introduction to the Program:
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental or basic research activities that focus on scientific and engineering discovery itself, the NSF SBIR/STTR programs support the creation of opportunities to move fundamental science and engineering out of the lab and into the market or other use at scale, through startups and small businesses representing deep technology ventures.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs fund research and development. The programs are designed to provide non-dilutive funding at the earliest stages of technology development.
Synopsis of Program:
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs support moving scientific excellence and technological innovation from the lab to the market. By investing federal research and development funds into startups and small businesses, NSF hopes to build a strong national economy and stimulate the creation of novel products, services, and solutions in the private sector; strengthen the role of small business in meeting federal research and development needs; increase the commercial application of federally supported research results; and develop and increase the US workforce, especially by fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs solicit proposals from small businesses based on groundbreaking scientific discoveries or significant engineering breakthroughs consistent with NSF's mission to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.
The programs are governed by Public Law 114-328 (SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2017). SBIR/STTR policy is provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through SBIR/STTR Policy Directive.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs welcome proposals from many topics and do not have a specific technological focus. SBIR/STTR Program Directors work together in “clusters” around general areas of science, engineering or technology to manage proposals and the merit review process. These clusters encompass Biological and Life Sciences; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Data and Computer Sciences; and Resilient and Sustainable Systems. The topics within each cluster are detailed on the program website, but are only meant to be suggestive of the types of topic areas that are anticipated. The program is also open to proposals focusing on technical and market areas not explicitly noted in the aforementioned topics; such proposals should be submitted to “Other Topics”. However, the NSF SBIR/STTR programs do not support clinical trials or proposals from companies whose commercialization pathway involves the production, distribution or sale by the company of chemical components, natural or synthetic variations thereof, or other derivatives related to Schedule I controlled substances.
Upcoming Due Dates
Full Proposal
March 4 - June 30 - Window
July 1 - October 26 - Window
Small businesses can submit a Project Pitch at any time. Small businesses that have been invited to submit a full proposal can submit a proposal based on that Project Pitch at any time during one of the submission windows listed above (up to one year).
An organization must wait for a determination from NSF (e.g., Award, Decline, or Return Without Review) on the pending NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal before submitting a new proposal in the next window. This eligibility constraint will be strictly enforced.
Award Information
Approximately $70,000,000 for SBIR Phase I
Approximately $15,000,000 for STTR Phase I
Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
Estimated Number of Awards
60 to 300
Estimated number of awards description
Approximately 250 to 300 estimated awards for SBIR Phase I per year, pending the availability of funds.
Approximately 60 estimated awards for STTR Phase I per year, pending the availability of funds.
Proposals may only be submitted by certain types of organizations. Please see solicitation for details.
Limit on number of proposals per organization description
An organization may submit one NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal per submission window (e.g., January 11, 2022 – March 3, 2022). An organization must wait for a determination from NSF (e.g., Award, Decline, or Returned Without Review) on the pending NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal before submitting a new proposal in the next window. This eligibility constraint will be strictly enforced. In the event that an organization exceeds this limit, the first proposal received will be accepted, and any additional proposals submitted will be Returned Without Review. Declined proposals require a new invitation to submit (via the Project Pitch process) and significant revision, while proposals Returned Without Review may be submitted using the same invited Project Pitch (assuming that the proposal is received within one year of original the Project Pitch invitation).
Limit on number of proposals per PI or co-PI description
For NSF SBIR – 1 PI, co-PIs are not allowed.
For NSF STTR - 1 PI, 1 co-PI required (must be part of the partner research institution).
An individual may be listed as the PI for only one proposal submitted at a time to this NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I solicitation. A PI must wait for a determination from NSF (e.g., Award, Decline, or Returned Without Review) on any NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I pending proposal before submitting a new proposal.
NSF SBIR proposals may not have co-PIs.
For NSF STTR proposals, a person may act as the co-PI on an unlimited number of proposals.