SBIR.gov

Overview

SBIR.gov is the official US government portal for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs - the federal government's primary mechanism for funding R&D at small businesses. Created by the Small Business Innovation Development Act, SBIR requires federal agencies with extramural R&D budgets over $100 million to allocate 3.2% to small businesses. Eleven agencies participate including DOD, NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, USDA, and EPA. SBIR operates in three phases: Phase I (feasibility, up to approximately $325,000), Phase II (full R&D, up to approximately $2 million), and Phase III (commercialization using non-SBIR funds).

What You Can Find Here

• Open SBIR Phase I solicitations from all 11 participating agencies in one searchable interface
• STTR solicitations requiring a formal subcontract with a US university or nonprofit research institution
• Agency-specific topic descriptions defining the technical problem or innovation area being sought
• Award data - historical SBIR/STTR awards searchable by company, topic, agency, and year
• Phase II solicitations for companies with successful Phase I awards
• Company registry for SBIR-eligible small businesses
• Resources and tools including a SBIR Assistance Map to find local advisors

Who Should Use This

• US for-profit small businesses (under 500 employees, majority US-owned) with technology that aligns with federal agency mission topics
• Deep tech startups in AI, biotech, defense, space, energy, and materials seeking non-dilutive R&D funding
• Academic spinouts transitioning research from university to commercial application
• Companies already in Phase I looking to apply for Phase II to continue development
• Veteran-owned, women-owned, and minority-owned small businesses - SBIR encourages participation from underrepresented entrepreneurs

How to Get Started

1. Step 1: Visit sbir.gov/solicitations to browse open solicitations from all 11 participating agencies
2. Step 2: Search by keyword or browse by agency (DOD, NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA) to find topics matching your technology
3. Step 3: Read the full topic description - it explains the technical need, expected deliverables, and evaluation criteria
4. Step 4: Register your company on the SBIR Company Registry and ensure SAM.gov registration is current
5. Step 5: Submit your Phase I proposal through the agency-specific submission system (DOD uses DoD SBIR portal, NIH uses eRA Commons, NSF uses Research.gov)
6. Step 6: If awarded Phase I, begin Phase II planning and engage with your program officer

Things to Check Before Applying

• SBIR requires the company to be majority-owned (at least 51%) by US citizens or permanent residents
• The PI (Principal Investigator) must be primarily employed by the small business during the performance period
• Each agency has its own specific topics and solicitation timelines - NIH uses standing solicitations while DOD has specific deadlines
• Phase I is exploratory - do not commit to production or scaling plans; demonstrate technical feasibility only
• SBIR awards are subject to the Bayh-Dole Act - the company retains IP rights but the government gets a license

Frequently Asked Questions