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SBIR Agency Links & Resources
Why apply for an SBIR or STTR?
Small Business Innovative Research grants are a key tool to pre-seed, seed, and even Series A/B funded science founders to raising capital. Not only are they non-dilutive, many investors will feel more comfortable investing in hard science-based technologies that have been vetted through science funding agency processes.
Generally speaking, SBIR and STTR funding is most useful at the early idea stage where significant technology risk is still present. This source of government funding enables the technology to be proven out to the point where early stage investment capital becomes viable.
Where to find SBIR Funding Opportunity Announcements
Every major research funding agency allocates up to about 1% of all their federal research dollars to SBIR grant awards. Calls for proposals associated with each agency's FOAs are linked below.
Climate-related SBIR funding announcements
Other research funding agencies
Application prerequisites
You will need a SAM.gov registration. Getting a SAM number takes a couple of weeks, so start the application as soon as possible.
Additional references
Federal agencies score proposals partly on technology and manufacturing maturity using the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) and MRL (Manufacturing Readiness Level) scales. Familiarity with both helps frame the proposal's risk and timeline.
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