NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I
U.S. National Science Foundation·United States
Non-dilutive NSF R&D grant of up to $305,000 for a 6-18 month feasibility project, open only to U.S. small businesses that first pass NSF's Project Pitch screen.
What you get
“NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals may be submitted for up to $305,000 in R&D funding intended to support projects for 6-18 months. This amount is inclusive of all direct and indirect costs as well as the small business fee, Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding, and the optional, but highly encouraged Innovation Corps (I-Corps).”
Can you apply
Proposals to any of the NSF SBIR/STTR funding opportunities may only be submitted by firms qualifying as a small business concern. Please note that the size limit of 500 employees includes affiliates. A proposing small business concern must be in compliance with the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive and the Code of Federal Regulations. For STTR proposals, the proposing small business concern must also include a partner research institution in the project. The primary employment of the Principal Investigator (PI) must be with the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the award, unless a new PI is named. Primary employment is defined as at least 51 percent employed by the small business. Per seedfund.nsf.gov: "Your company must be a small business (fewer than 500 employees) located in the United States." "At least 50% of your company's equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents." "All funded work, including work done by consultants and contractors, needs to take place in the United States." NSF excludes companies where majority ownership belongs to venture capital, private equity, or hedge funds.
When
Not open yet. The next round is listed below.
Upcoming
- NSF 26-510 July 2027 deadlinecloses 7 Jul 2027 · 342 days left
- NSF 26-510 March 2027 deadlinecloses 4 Mar 2027 · 217 days left
- NSF 26-510 November 2026 deadlinecloses 4 Nov 2026 · 97 days left
Past rounds
- NSF 26-510 July 2026 deadlineclosed 27 Jul 2026
What U.S. National Science Foundation funds
NSF's SBIR/STTR programs (America's Seed Fund powered by NSF) put non-dilutive federal R&D money into U.S. startups and small businesses turning high-risk deep technology into commercial products. The programs fund across nearly all technology areas and market sectors, including AI and software, and do not solicit specific technologies.
Everything U.S. National Science Foundation funds →Details
Solicitation NSF 26-510, posted 22 May 2026, covers Phase I, Phase II and Fast-Track jointly for both SBIR and STTR. SBIR proposals permit but do not require a partner institution; STTR proposals require the startup to issue a subaward to a not-for-profit research institution. NSF expects roughly 180 SBIR Phase I and 50 STTR Phase I awards per year, against an anticipated total SBIR/STTR budget of $210,000,000 spanning all proposal types.