DOE Opens Two Funding Opportunities: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Submission Deadline for Letters of Intent: August 27, 2024 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is accepting applications)
Opportunity: FY 2025 Phase I Release 1 - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Overview and Eligible Uses:
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: The SBIR program is designed to drive technological innovation within the private sector by providing support for research and development (R&D) projects with strong commercial potential. Sponsored by the DOE, this program aims to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and their commercialization by focusing on mission-related scientific or engineering challenges that align with DOE's goals. The SBIR program encourages participation from small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, and aims to enhance the economic and social benefits derived from Federally funded research. While collaboration with research institutions is permitted, it is not mandatory allowing flexibility in how small businesses choose to structure their projects. A critical objective of SBIR is to increase private sector commercialization of DOE-supported technologies, ensuring that R&D efforts translate into practical, market-ready solutions that contribute to the nation's economy.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program: The STTR program is designed to facilitate collaboration between small businesses and research institutions, fostering innovation through cooperative R&D projects. Sponsored by the DOE, STTR supports projects that address mission-critical scientific and engineering challenges, with a strong emphasis on commercialization potential. STTR requires mandatory partnership between the small business and a research institution, aiming to drive the development of cutting-edge technologies, with the ultimate goal of transitioning them into the marketplace. The STTR program also encourages participation from women-owned and minority-owned businesses, promoting diversity and inclusion in technological innovation.
Phase I grants resulting from this competition will be made during FY 2025 to small businesses The period of performance will depend on the scope of the effort but will not exceed 12 months. Please note that the Phase II grant application will be due approximately 9.5 months after the grant start date. This will be the only opportunity to submit a Phase II application for a Phase I award made under this FOA. Grantees that select a Phase I period of performance of 9 months or less will be able to complete their Phase I project prior to submission of their Phase II grant application. Grantees that select a Phase I longer than 9 months will be able to continue research and development (R&D) after their Phase II application is submitted but will not be able to utilize these results in the preparation of their Phase II application.
Amount: $24,000,000 for new awards. Each award can be up to $200,000 or $250,000 per project, depending on the topic. The DOE plans to issue approximately 110 awards.
Eligible Applicants:
Must be small, independent U.S. businesses.
More than 50% of the firm’s equity must be owned and controlled by:
U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. Each individual counted must be an actual person, not a company or legal entity.
Other for-profit small business concerns that are also more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.
A combination of the above two categories.
Must meet size requirements, specifically regarding the number of employees, to qualify as a small business concern.
Key Dates:
Submission Deadline for Letters of Intent: August 27, 2024 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Submission Deadline for Applications: October 8, 2024 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Key Links:
DOE Small Business Innovation Research & Small Business Technology Funding Opportunity Announcement
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.