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Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs (SBIR/STTR): A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.

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26-511Grant

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

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The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is launching a pilot initiative within its SBIR/STTR programs that focuses on investing in startups and small businesses developing next-generation scientific instrumentation and enabling technologies. This effort aims to fuel scientific and engineering innovation in the United States by supporting the creation of novel experimental platforms and advanced scientific equipment essential for emerging fields, particularly those driven by AI discoveries. The pilot emphasizes building the infrastructure needed for transformative technological breakthroughs and new scientific frontiers, strengthening the American scientific enterprise. Funding opportunities through this solicitation include Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, and supplemental awards, with companies eligible to receive up to $2 million for research and development. NSF maintains a non-equity stance, allowing awardees to retain full ownership of their companies and intellectual property. The program underscores a commitment to cutting-edge research while adhering to rigorous scientific standards, including NSF’s Gold Standard Science principles, and fostering inclusive participation in STEM. The solicitation closes on July 27, 2026, offering a pathway for small businesses to contribute significantly to advancing scientific instrumentation and innovation in alignment with national priorities.

General Info

NSF pilot funds startups developing advanced scientific instruments, AI platforms; awards up to $2M, non-equity.

Agency

U.S. National Science FoundationView Agency

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) View NAICS

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(0)

No documents available

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Timeline

PhaseSolicitation
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Organization & Contact Information

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AgencyU.S. National Science Foundation
Contacts1 person available
OfficeUS
Organization / Agency
U.S. National Science Foundation
View Agency Profile
Office AddressUS
Contacts
U.S. National Science Foundation
contact@example.gov
+1 (555) 000-0000

Full Description

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NSF invests in scientific discoveries, technological breakthroughs, and transformative innovations that strengthen economic growth, enhance security, and improve the lives of Americans and people around the world. Our ability to support that mission requires a robust scientific and engineering (S&E) enterprise in the United States that allows scientists to innovate at the frontier. In addition to funding scientists, America needs next-generation scientific instrumentation that allows scientists to pursue new innovations. In many fields, it is critical that this new scientific instrumentation is developed in the United States.
In support of this mission, NSF is initiating a pilot emphasis area for itsSBIR/STTR programs to invest in startups and small businesses that are specifically developing enabling technologies that include next-generation instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other scientific equipment to advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and strengthen the American scientific and engineering enterprise. This encompasses novel instrumentation necessary for the coming era of AI-driven discoveries. This pilot will prioritize investing in the necessary infrastructure to support entirely new fields of scientific discovery, making new technological breakthroughs and transformative applications possible. Through this approach, NSF will continue to lead in propelling the scientific enterprise to new frontiers.
This pilot emphasis area for the NSF SBIR/STTR programs funds across enabling technology areas and market sectors in alignment with the above goals; the programs do not solicit specific technologies for the purpose of procuring goods and services for the agency from startups and small businesses.
NSF will continue to invest in other deep-tech ventures through the historic NSF SBIR/STTR programs available here.
Funding opportunities are available through the NSF SBIR/STTR programs: Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, and Supplements. Each company can receive up to $2.0 million for R&D. Separately, NSF welcomes Strategic Breakthrough proposals, upon recommendation from the Program Officer, for Phase II awardees. NSF takes no equity and awardees keep full ownership of their company and intellectual property.
Expanding Participation in STEM and Gold Standard Science:
NSF prioritizes cutting-edge discovery science and engineering research, advancing technology and innovation, and creating opportunities for all Americans. NSF also expects the highest standards of scientific rigor, integrity and adherence to tenets ofGold Standard Sciencein proposals, as appropriate for the field of science and research modality.

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