NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II Programs | 24 580

Opportunity Information: Apply for 24 580

The NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II Programs are federal grant opportunities from the National Science Foundation designed to help startups and small businesses turn strong science and engineering ideas into real-world products and services. The core purpose is to move innovations out of the lab and into the marketplace (or other large-scale use) by providing non-dilutive funding, meaning companies do not have to give up equity to receive support. NSF is not buying a product or procuring services through this program, and it does not limit applicants to a narrow list of topic areas. Instead, it funds a broad range of leading-edge technologies that can create meaningful economic and societal impact, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and support workforce development, with an emphasis on broad participation including women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.

Phase II funding is aimed at companies that have already completed a relevant NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award and are ready to push beyond early feasibility work. Where Phase I tends to focus on de-risking the hardest technical unknowns that block feasibility, Phase II continues research and development but shifts more attention toward development challenges that lead to a dependable, scalable solution and a stronger, defensible competitive position. NSF is specifically looking for innovations that are rooted in a new scientific discovery or meaningful engineering advance, still require substantial R and D to become a reliable offering, and have not yet been fully reduced to practice (with real technical uncertainty remaining). Competitive proposals typically describe why the approach is hard to replicate, and how, once demonstrated, it could disrupt an existing market or create an entirely new market or market segment.

Eligibility is limited and tied directly to Phase I performance and timing. A company must qualify as a small business concern under SBIR/STTR rules (generally including a size cap of 500 employees, counting affiliates) and must comply with the SBA SBIR/STTR Policy Directive and applicable federal regulations. Phase II proposals must be submitted within a specific window: 6 to 24 months after the start date of the associated NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I award, and this window is not extended by no-cost extensions. If a Phase I award was terminated, the organization cannot submit a Phase II proposal based on that terminated award. If a Phase I award is suspended pending investigation, the company cannot submit a Phase II proposal while the suspension is in place; if reinstatement occurs after the normal window, NSF may allow additional time to finish Phase I and submit Phase II. For STTR submissions, the small business must include a formal partner research institution as part of the project, consistent with STTR’s collaboration requirements.

The opportunity also reflects newer federal compliance restrictions. Under provisions associated with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, certain covered persons or entities of concern are prohibited from receiving or participating in awards and activities under NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the NSF directorate that now houses the SBIR/STTR programs. In addition, individuals who are a current party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program are not eligible to serve as Senior/Key Personnel on NSF proposals or awards made after May 20, 2024. The organization’s Authorized Organizational Representative must certify that identified Senior/Key Personnel are aware of, and compliant with, these requirements. Intellectual property developed with SBIR/STTR assistance is subject to the Bayh-Dole Act framework, which governs rights and responsibilities related to inventions arising from federally funded work.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 24-580) with an original closing date listed as September 18, 2024. The notice indicates an expectation of around 100 awards, and it is associated with multiple NSF CFDA program listings (including 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084). Overall, the program is best understood as a bridge between proof-of-concept R and D and a commercial-scale, defensible product or service, using non-dilutive federal capital to help small businesses tackle high-risk technical development on the path to market impact.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 24 580

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