NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II
U.S. National Science Foundation·United States
Follow-on NSF award of up to $1,250,000 over a typical 24 months, open only to companies that already hold an NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award.
What you get
“NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II proposals may be submitted for funding up to $1,250,000. This amount is inclusive of all direct and indirect costs as well as the small business fee and optional TABA funding. NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II projects typically run for 24 months.”
Can you apply
For Phase II: Only NSF Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees are permitted to submit a Phase II proposal to NSF. Proposers must submit their SBIR/STTR Phase II proposal between 6 to 24 months after the start date of their relevant NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award. 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. 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.
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
Awarded as a fixed amount cooperative agreement. NSF expects roughly 80 SBIR Phase II and 10 STTR Phase II awards per year. Active Phase II awardees can additionally request Phase IIB supplements of $50,000-$500,000, TECP supplements of up to 20% of the Phase II award, and, on invitation from the cognizant Program Officer, Strategic Breakthrough proposals of up to $30,000,000.