Deadline Date: July 27, 2026
The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports startups and small businesses developing high-risk, high-impact technological innovations that have the potential to create significant economic and societal benefits.
NSF evaluates funding opportunities based on several key considerations, including impact, technological innovation, market pull, and scale. The innovation should have the potential to make a meaningful difference globally or transform an industry. Applicants must demonstrate the need for research and development funding to create scalable solutions grounded in fundamental science or engineering. The proposed technology should address an important unmet customer need, and successful commercialization should provide the foundation for a scalable business capable of achieving substantial market impact.
The NSF SBIR/STTR application process begins with the submission of a Project Pitch. This preliminary step helps determine whether the proposed technological innovation aligns with the program’s requirements before applicants invest significant time and resources in preparing a full proposal.
The Project Pitch requires applicants to explain the technology innovation by describing the core high-risk technical advancement that will be researched and developed during a Phase I project. Applicants must clearly communicate how the innovation differs from existing solutions and why it represents a substantial improvement or creates a new market opportunity.
Applicants must also outline the technical objectives and challenges associated with the project. This section should describe the specific research and development activities needed to validate the foundational technology and address key technical risks. The proposal should demonstrate a clear understanding of the innovative aspects of the work and the tasks required to prove the feasibility of the technology.
Another important component is the market opportunity. Applicants should explain the value of the technological innovation, identify potential customers and beneficiaries, and demonstrate an understanding of the competitive landscape. The submission should show why the innovation has the potential to compete successfully in the marketplace.
The company and team section requires applicants to describe their qualifications and ability to execute the proposed research and development activities. Companies should explain how their expertise aligns with the innovation and provide information on plans to address any identified capability gaps.
To be eligible for NSF funding, the applicant company must be a small business with fewer than 500 employees and be located in the United States. At least 50 percent of the company’s equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. NSF does not permit participation by companies that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital firms, private equity firms, or hedge funds under the SBIR and STTR programs.
All funded work, including activities performed by consultants and contractors, must take place within the United States. The principal investigator must be legally employed by the company for at least 20 hours per week and is required to commit a minimum of one month, equivalent to 173 hours, of effort for every six months of project duration. Advanced academic degrees are not required for the principal investigator role.
The NSF SBIR/STTR program provides an opportunity for startups with cutting-edge technologies to advance innovative research and development projects that can improve quality of life while contributing to economic growth and national security.
For more information, visit America’s Seed Fund.
