Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IB 2023- Presolicitation

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) anticipates the release of the 2023 Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase IB solicitation on or about January 9, 2023.

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. 

The anticipated ED/IES SBIR Phase IB program solicitation #91990023R0011 will invite eligible for-profit small business firms and partners to submit proposals for $250,000 contracts to develop and evaluate a prototype of a new component to be integrated with an existing education technology prototype or product over a period of 8 months. 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 component and the existing education technology prototype or product over a period of 2 years and to prepare for commercialization. The resulting product from Phase I and II funding under this solicitation will be a new version of an existing education technology product.

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 that due to an office transition, the primary means of communication with Department personnel should be via email.  The listed phone numbers may not be active or may change in the future.