Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs (SBIR/STTR): A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.

Who can apply

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - Proposals may only be submitted by the following: <ul type="disc"> <li>For all NSF SBIR/STTR funding opportunities, Proposals may only be submitted by: Firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the NSF SBIR/STTR programs (see the <a href="https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/elig_size_compliance_guide.pdf">Guide to SBIR/STTR Program Eligibility</a> for more information). Please note that the size limit of 500 employees includes affiliates. The firm must be in compliance with the <a href="https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBA%20SBIR_STTR_POLICY_DIRECTIVE_May2023.pdf">SBIR/STTR Policy Directive</a> and the <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/">Code of Federal Regulations</a>. For STTR proposals, the proposing small business concern must also include a partner research institution in the project. <ul type="circle"> <li>For Phase I: Proposers must obtain an official invitation to submit a proposal. To receive the invitation, potential proposers must submit a <a href="https://seedfund.nsf.gov/apply/project-pitch/">Project Pitch</a> and receive an official response (via email) from the program staff. Invitations are valid for the next two submission deadlines after the date of the initial official invitation. Submission deadlines are at the top of the funding opportunity. If the Project Pitch expires, the Principal Investigator (PI) is required to recomplete the Project Pitch process. Note: that NSF places strict limits in terms of the number of Project Pitches and full proposals that can be under consideration from a given small business as described in the Project Pitch details using the link above. <ul type="square"> <li>Two Project Pitches are the maximum number of submissions per company per year (12-month period). In addition, NSF limits the total number of Project Pitches for the same project/technology, regardless of topic to no more than 3 submissions.</li> </ul> </li> <li>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.</li> <li>For Fast-Track: Proposers must obtain an official invitation to submit a proposal. To receive the invitation, potential proposers must submit a<a href="https://seedfund.nsf.gov/project-pitch/">Project Pitch</a> and receive an official response from program staff. A full proposal must be submitted within four months of the Fast-Track Project Pitch invitation. Additional details are available <a href="https://seedfund.nsf.gov/how-to-submit/fast-track/">here.</a></li> <li>For Supplemental Funding Opportunities: All active SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees are invited to participate in the full range of supplemental funding opportunities related to strategic partners and outside investors, including the Phase IIB funding opportunity (see:<a href="https://seedfund.nsf.gov/resources/awardees/supplement/overview">https://seedfund.nsf.gov/resources/awardees/supplement/overview</a>/).</li> </ul> </li> </ul> For Strategic Breakthroughs: SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees are eligible to submit Strategic Breakthrough proposals upon the recommendation of their cognizant Program. *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.Occasionally, deviations from this requirement may occur, and must be approved in writing by the Funding Agreement program officer after consultation with the a