NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program

The SBIR Program’s main goals and objectives are to strengthen the role of innovative small business concerns (SBCs) in Federally-funded research or research and development (R/R&D) including research in support of a standard (prestandardization research). Specific program goals are to: (1) stimulate technological innovation; (2) use small business to meet Federal R/R&D needs; (3) track participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and by women-owned small businesses in technological innovation; and (4) increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R&D, thereby increasing competition, productivity, and economic growth.

U.S. Territories and possessions, Government - General, Federal, State, State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Small business (less than 500 employees), Profit organization, Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Quasi-public nonprofit institution/organization, Other private institutions/organizations, Native American Organizations (includes lndian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations), Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education), Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education), For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business), Hispanic-serving Institution, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Non-domestic (non-US) Entity

Specific eligibility requirements will be detailed in each Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Steps for applying for assistance under this assistance listing can be found on the FY26 SBIR Phase I Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at www.grants.gov.

Once the list of high-scoring meritorious applicants are selected for award, the slate of applicants is provided to the agency grants official who provides final approval of awards. Awards are then provided to agency leadership for review and approval prior to actual notification of award to the selected recipients and prior to any funding being released to the selected award recipients.

Notice must be provided to the applicant regarding its proposal submission stating whether it was recommended or not for award no more than 90 calendar days after the closing date of the solicitation.