U.S. National Science Foundation · United States

Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs: Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security

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U.S. National Science Foundation expects to make awards, from a total budget of $210 million. Applications close on 4 Mar 2027. Eligible applicant types include others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification).

Deadline: 4 Mar 2027 (in 109 days)
Grant amount: $210 million total budget
Funding rate: No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated
Total budget: $210 million
Cost sharing: Not required
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Reference: 26-510
Assistance listing: 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
Last checked: 13 Nov 2026

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About this call

NSF invests in scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs, and transformative innovations that strengthen economic growth, enhance security, and improve the lives of Americans and people around the world.

In support of this mission, NSF is relaunching its SBIR/STTR programs (also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF) following enactment of the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act to invest in startups and small businesses transforming high-risk technologies into products and services with commercial impacts. By investing federal R&D funds in start-ups and small businesses, NSF strengthens the national economy by stimulating private sector innovation, commercializing federally-funded research outputs, and supporting the American scientific enterprise. This investment enhances job creation while developing and expanding the U.S. workforce.

The NSF SBIR/STTR programs fund across nearly all technology areas and market sectors; the programs do not solicit specific technologies or procure goods and services from startups and small businesses. Each company can receive up to $2 million for R&D. NSF takes no equity and awardees keep full ownership of their company and intellectual property.

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Funding opportunities are available through the NSF SBIR/STTR programs: Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, and Supplements. Separately, NSF welcomes Strategic Breakthrough proposals, upon recommendation from the cognizant Program Officer, for Phase II awardees.

In addition to these SBIR/STTR programs, NSF is also separately piloting a new emphasis area (see here) focused on enabling technologies that include next-generation instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other scientific equipment to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and strengthen the American scientific and engineering enterprise.

Who can apply

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

*Who May Serve as PI:

Who May Serve as PI: 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. NSF normally considers a full-time work week to be 40 hours and considers employment elsewhere greater than 19.6 hours per week to conflict with this requirement. Rarely, deviations from this requirement may occur, and must be approved in writing by the Funding Agreement Program Officer after consultation with the agency SBIR/STTR program manager/coordinator.

The PI must have a legal right to work for the proposing company in the United States, as evidenced by citizenship, permanent residency, or an appropriate visa. The PI does not need to be associated with an academic institution. There are no PI degree requirements (i.e., the PI is not required to hold a Ph.D. or any other degree). 

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The PI must devote the following levels of effort:

For Phase I: a minimum of one calendar month per six months of performance

For Phase II: a minimum of one calendar month per six months of performance

For Fast-Track: a minimum of three calendar months per six months of performance. 

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

How to apply

Apply through the funder’s official page (link below); it states the procedure, documents and deadline.

From the call text

Who can apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Company stage: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Single applicant or consortium: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where applicants must be based: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where to apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

U.S. National Science Foundation · grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov · 703-292-4203

Official sources

Official call page · Funder's programme page

Facts on this page come from the official source and were last checked 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.