NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program

The SBIR Program's main goals and objectives are to strengthen the role of innovative small business concerns (SBCs) in Federally-funded research or research and development (R/R & D) including research in support of a standard (prestandardization rese

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was originally established in 1982 by the Small Business Innovation Development Act (P.L. 97-219), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 638. It was then expanded and extended by the Small Business Research and Development (R & D) Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564), and received subsequent reauthorization and extensions. The most recent reauthorization was enacted under the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S.3971). This new reauthorization extends the SBIR Program through September 30, 2031. Eleven Federal agencies implement SBIR by setting aside a portion of their external research and development budget each year to fund research applications from small science and technology-based firms. The statutory purpose of the SBIR Program is to strengthen the role of innovative small business concerns (SBCs) in Federally-funded research or research and development (R/R & D). Specific program goals are to: (1) stimulate technological innovation; (2) use small business to meet Federal R/R & D needs; (3) track participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and by women-owned small businesses in technological innovation; and (4) increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R & D, thereby increasing competition, productivity, and economic growth.

Specific eligibility requirements will be detailed in each Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Beneficiary eligibility is the same as applicant eligibility.

Higher Education (includes Research), Science and Technology, Training, Vocational Education Specific uses of assistance and eligible costs will be detailed in each Notice of Funding Opportunity.The details will be specified in each Notice of Funding Opportunity. The details will be specified in each Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Restrictions on use of funding is as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The length of any assistance will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the distinctive characteristics of individual projects. Assistance will be funded in tranches. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Disbursements will generally be tied to project milestones. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: The details will be specified in each Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Applicants are evaluated on a scored merit basis using a pre-determined set of evaluation criteria. The highest scoring meritorious proposals are presented to the Selection Official for award. Number of awards are based on availability of funding.

Once the list of high-scoring meritorious applicants are selected for award, the slate of applicants is provided to the agency grants official who provides final approval of awards. Awards are then provided to agency leadership for review and approval prior to actual notification of award to the selected recipients and prior to any funding being released to the selected award recipients.

Notice must be provided to the applicant regarding its proposal submission stating whether it was recommended or not for award no more than 90 calendar days after the closing date of the solicitation.

Phase I and Phase II award recipients may request no-cost extensions to their award period of performance by submitting valid reasons for the request and the extended amount of time requested to the assigned Grants Officer who then consults with the assigned Federal Program Officer for review and approval of the extension.

Applications that are not approved are eligible to receive a debrief of their proposals by giving notice to the agency not later than 10 days after receiving notice that their applications were not selected for funding.