Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
1. A Portable Situational Awareness Toolset for Wildfires Suppression and Team Management
2. Squalene Produced from US Soybeans
3. A Nickel-Binding Feed Additive for Improved Feed Efficiency & Productivity in Cattle
4. Cost-effective Monitoring Platform for Optimal Nutrient Application
5. Innovative Food Processing Utilizing Whole Apples to Produce a Novel Drink, Reducing Food Waste and Enhancing Nutritional Value
6. AMA: An AI-Driven Special Education Support Platform for Education in Rural Communities.
7. Induced polyploidization in larviparous oysters: Developing a commercially viable Hawaiian oyster
8. Consolidated Bioprocessing of Corn Stover to Ethanol Augmented by Spontaneous Particle Expansion Cotreatment
9. Improving Small Farm Profitability Using Directed Energy Weed Management
10. Cotton Picker Spindle Design and Manufacturing Processes
There were no FY25 Phase II awards issued.
Program Objective
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, both of which focus on projects that enhance American agriculture, rural health care, rural communities and the environment.
USDA SBIR/STTR PROGRAMS 1.) Stimulate technological innovations in the private sector; 2.) Strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs; 3.) Increase the commercialization of innovations derived from SBIR/STTR-supported private sector research and development efforts; and 4.) Foster and encourage participation by emerging and undercapitalized small businesses.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Small Business Person
Phase I is open to any eligible small independent US business. Phase II is open only to previous Phase I awardees. The SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II NOFOs outline the specific eligibility requirements that are in place to ensure that the funds go only to small, independent US businesses. The regulations include restrictions about 1.) the type of firm; 2.) its ownership structure; and 3.) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees. See the program NOFO for more details about the SBIR/STTR eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the NOFO.
After the award is finalized, a formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA), signed by the Authorized Departmental Officer, will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the recipient's Authorized Representative.
The NoA will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the information described in 2 CFR 200.211 (see NIFA’s Terms and Conditions).
Section 094 - Deadlines:
Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the NOFO each fiscal year.
Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website.
Respective links are provided below: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov
Section 095 - Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
From 30 to 60 days.
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL), as indicated per CFDA Section # 152 – Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. NIFA’s respective links regarding general information are provided below:
http://nifa.usda.gov/
http://www.grants.gov.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Please refer to the Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current NOFO is available via:
SBIR Phase I
https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/small-business-innovation-research-program-phase-i
SBIR Phase II: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/small-business-innovation-research-program-phase-ii
Program details & compliance
Description
The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative research and development between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The aim of a Phase I project should be to demonstrate technical feasibility of the proposed innovation and thereby bring the innovation closer to commercialization. Proposals should describe the development of an innovation that demonstrates the following characteristics: 1.) Involves a high degree of technical risk – for example, has never been attempted and/or successfully achieved and is still facing technical hurdles (that the USDA-funded R&D work is intended to overcome). 2.) Has the potential for significant commercial impact and/or societal benefit as evidenced by having the potential to disrupt the targeted market segment; having good product-market fit (as validated by customers); removing barriers to entry for competition; and offering potential for societal benefit (through commercialization under a sustainable business model). 3.) Phase I awards may not exceed the listed maximum award amount for each topic area (listed with specific Program Code) with a project period normally not to exceed eight (8) months for SBIR and twelve (12) months for STTR. 4.) The Phase I application should concentrate on research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept, describe the potential market for the innovation, and be a prerequisite to further USDA SBIR/STTR support in Phase II. The aim of SBIR/STTR Phase II applications is to continue the R&D developed under Phase I with a goal to commercialize and bring the innovation to market as the Phase II project completes. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) are generally released annually. See the program NOFO for specific and detailed information. Specific instructions in the NOFOs supersede the general information provided in the Assistance Listing. The programs and associated NOFOs listed under Assistance Listing 10.212 are: 1.) SBIR/STTR Phase I: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology-transfer 2.) SBIR/STTR Phase II: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology
Mission Categories
Primary: Agricultural Resource Conservation and Development
Other categories:
Small Business
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The selected areas for research are: 1.) Forests and Related Resources; 2.) Plant Production and Protection (Biology) 3.) Animal Production and Protection; 4.) Management of Natural Resources; 5.) Food Science and Nutrition; 6.) Rural and Community Development; 7.) Aquaculture; 8.) Biofuels and Biobased Products; 9.) Small and Mid-size Farms; and 10.) Plant Production and Protection (Engineering). Phase I projects are supported to determine the scientific or technical feasibility of ideas submitted by small business applicants on the selected research areas. Phase II awards are made to firms with approaches that appear sufficiently promising as a result of Phase I studies. Only those small businesses previously receiving Phase I awards are eligible to submit Phase II proposals.
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements