SBIR & Small Business Grants

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and STTR grants from NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, and NASA. Phase I feasibility awards up to $300K, Phase II development up to $2M.

Active Grants: 2 // Source: Grants.gov // Updated: Daily

About This Topic

Connect small businesses and startups with America's Seed Fund — federal R&D grants with no equity dilution.

Active Opportunities (2)

PAR-26-001 05/07/2027

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use and misuse in adult populations that experience health disparities (R01, Clinical Trial Required)

Agency HHS-NIH11

High-priority technical directive issued by HHS-NIH11. This initiative (ID: PAR-26-001) targets strategic development wi...

Health View Details →

DE-FOA-0003539 05/20/2026

Fiscal Year 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research

Agency DOE-ID

High-priority technical directive issued by DOE-ID. This initiative (ID: DE-FOA-0003539) targets strategic development w...

Energy View Details →

About This Funding Category

The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs collectively represent the largest source of early-stage, non-dilutive R&D funding for U.S. small businesses, with over $4 billion awarded annually across eleven participating federal agencies. SBIR Phase I awards — typically $150,000 to $300,000 for 6 months — fund proof-of-concept research. Phase II awards of up to $2 million fund full prototype development, with some agencies like NIH offering Phase II awards up to $3.5 million. STTR requires formal partnering with a U.S. research institution for at least 30% of the work. The SBA's America's Seed Fund portal (seedfund.sba.gov) lists all open solicitations by agency and technology topic. Critically, SBIR grants require no equity dilution and companies retain full intellectual property rights — making them strategically superior to early venture funding for companies with strong technology focus. DOD alone funds over $1 billion in SBIR awards annually across its service branches, covering dual-use technologies in AI, materials science, communications, and autonomy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SBIR program?

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a competitive federal program that awards grants to U.S. small businesses (under 500 employees) to fund R&D with commercial potential. Phase I awards typically provide $150,000–$300,000 for 6 months of feasibility work. Phase II awards provide up to $1.75–2 million for 2 years of prototype development.

Which agencies have SBIR programs?

Eleven federal agencies operate SBIR programs: NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, NASA, USDA, EPA, ED, HHS, DOT, and DHS. The largest programs by funding are DOD (over $1 billion/year), NIH ($1 billion+), and NSF ($200 million+).

Do you have to repay SBIR grants?

No. SBIR and STTR awards are grants, not loans. You retain ownership of any intellectual property developed. The government gets a license to use the technology for federal purposes, but you keep full commercialization rights.

Can foreign-owned companies apply for SBIR?

No. SBIR applicants must be U.S.-based small businesses where the majority (51%+) is owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The primary place of business must be in the United States.

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GrantMetric Intelligence Systems — Independent federal grant intelligence platform. Not affiliated with Grants.gov, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, or any government agency. Grant data is sourced from the Grants.gov API for informational purposes only; always verify opportunity details directly with the funding agency before applying. Some links on this site are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Full Disclaimer · Last Reviewed: May 2026 · Data Methodology