Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IA 2026: Solicitation

The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is soliciting proposals through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase IA 2026 for the development of prototypes of novel education technology products targeting learners, educators, or administrators across prekindergarten through grade 16 and adult education. Eligible topics include innovations in early childhood learning, English language arts, civics, foreign language, STEM, social-behavioral skills, the arts, and vocational training. Proposals must demonstrate market competitiveness, include a detailed plan for prototype development with iterative testing and refinement, and conduct a pilot feasibility study with end-user feedback to validate concept viability. Evaluation will be conducted in three stages—pre-review screening for responsiveness, triage evaluation for merit determination, and full technical panel review—with final scoring based on significance of the innovation (40 points), Phase I research and development objectives and work plan (30 points), and project team qualifications, budget realism, and prior SBIR performance (30 points). The proposal deadline is June 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with an anticipated award start date of October 5, 2026.

This solicitation is designated as a total small business set-aside, with no incumbent contractors identified. The Institute of Education Sciences anticipates awarding up to eight Phase IA contracts, each valued at $250,000 on a firm-fixed-price basis over a nine-month performance period. The small business must perform a minimum of 66.67 percent of the work ($166,667), with subcontracts not exceeding 33.3 percent ($83,333). Proposals must include a 10-page maximum project narrative, detailed budget justification, team resumes with certifications, letters of participation from education settings and commercialization support, and comprehensive foreign influence disclosures and patent information. All work must be performed in the United States by U.S. citizens or green card holders, with the place of performance identified as Washington, DC 20202. Successful Phase IA awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding of up to $1,000,000 over two years for full product development and commercialization preparation.