Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IA 2023- RFP

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) solicits proposals for the 2023 Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase IA.
The purpose of the SBIR program is to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small business in meeting Department research and development needs, increase the commercial potential of Department-supported research results, and improve the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the Nation.
Phase I is to determine, insofar as possible, the scientific or technical merit of ideas submitted under the SBIR program. The proposal should concentrate on Research/Research & Development (R/R&D) that will establish the feasibility of the technological approach, a prerequisite for further Department support in Phase II.
Firms with strong R/R&D capabilities for education technology products in the below priority area are encouraged to participate:

PRIORITY AREA 1: New Education Technology Products for Use by Learners, or Educators or Administrators (or Other School Personnel)

The Department of Education’s (ED) Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), provides awards for the research and development of new, commercially viable education technology products (“products”). Known as “ED/IES SBIR,” the program’s goal is to grow a portfolio of products that are widely deployed to address pressing needs across education.
This ED/IES SBIR Phase IA program solicitation #91990023R0001 invites eligible for-profit small business firms and partners to submit proposals for $250,000 contracts to develop and evaluate a prototype of an entirely new education technology product over a period of 8 months. The goal of the Phase IA track is to stimulate novel (e.g., first of its kind) approaches to solve pressing problems in education. Successful Phase I awardees under the solicitation will be eligible to apply for a Phase II award for $1,000,000 in 2024, to fully develop and evaluate the new education technology product over a period of 2 years and to prepare for commercialization.
ED/IES SBIR is a highly competitive program – historically between 5 and 7% of submitted proposals result in a Phase I award, and about 50% of Phase I awardees win a Phase II award the following year.
This notice is not a request for proposals at this time. Interested parties should continue to monitor this posting for updates.
For more information about the Department’s SBIR program, please see here: www.ies.ed.gov/sbir
Please note the primary means of communication with Department personnel should be via email.