The National Science Foundation has relaunched its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, known as America’s Seed Fund. The initiative provides non-dilutive R&D funding to U.S. startups without requiring equity or intellectual property rights. In May, the agency allocated $250 million to support small businesses developing high-risk technologies.
The standard funding path begins with Phase I, offering up to $305,000 for projects spanning six to 18 months, with potential for up to $1.25 million in Phase II. Alternatively, the Fast-Track program combines these stages for a total of up to $1.55 million. This specific route requires prior NSF-funded research, customer-discovery training, and a formal invitation.
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based companies with fewer than 500 employees, where at least 51% of the business is owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Research activities must be conducted within the United States. The principal investigator must be employed by the startup for the majority of their working time during the project.
The application process begins with a project pitch describing the technology and its commercial impact. If approved, the startup receives an invitation to submit a full proposal via Research.gov. Reviews of the initial pitch typically take one to two months, while final funding decisions follow approximately six months after the full proposal submission.
The upcoming deadline for full proposals is November 4, 2026, with subsequent dates set for March 4 and July 7, 2027. The NSF anticipates awarding approximately 180 SBIR and 50 STTR Phase I grants annually. The Fast-Track program is more exclusive, with an expected annual capacity of 15 SBIR and three STTR awards.
