The National Science Foundation (NSF) released its 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase I solicitation. The NSF SBIR/STTR programs solicit proposals from small businesses based on groundbreaking scientific discoveries or significant engineering breakthroughs consistent with NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.
Submission Windows
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs have three submission windows throughout the year ending on March 03, 2022; June 30, 2022; and October 26, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. submitter’s time. Unlike deadlines, submission windows allow small businesses the flexibility to submit a full proposal at any time during the submission windows. The proposal submission system will shut down at 5:00 p.m. on each closing date and will then reopen for new submissions the following morning (with the exception of the final submission window which closes in October, when a new or updated solicitation will be anticipated shortly thereafter.)
NSF SBIR/STTR Programs
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs provides non-dilutive, grant funding for the development of deep technologies in nearly all technical areas. Unlike fundamental or basic research activities that focus on scientific and engineering discovery itself, the NSF SBIR/STTR programs support the creation of opportunities to move fundamental science and engineering out of the lab and into the market for societal and economic impacts.
Required Project Pitch
A small business must receive an official invitation via the Project Pitch process to submit a full proposal to this solicitation. The Project Pitch must outline the project objectives, technological innovation, and associated technical risks.
Significant Revisions to the Solicitation
- NSF increased the SBIR/STTR Phase I funding amount to a maximum of $275,000 to better support the nation’s startups and small businesses, as part of the recent federal adjustment for inflation.
- The NSF SBIR and STTR Phase I solicitations have been combined into a single document.
- The new, combined solicitation presents three Phase I submission windows rather than four.
- Only one Project Pitch submission is permitted per applicant small business per submission window.
If your Utah small business intends to apply or you have questions about this funding opportunity, please contact the Utah Innovation Center at innovationutah@utah.gov.