SBIR News & Deadlines - Maine Technology Institute

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs are the largest source of early-stage, high-risk technology financing in the United States. Eleven federal agencies participate in this program to provide over $4 billion for the early-stage research and development projects leading to commercialization of products, processes or services.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)programs are highly competitive by providing non-dilutive funding for the development of innovative technology and charting a path to commercialization. The programs encourage entrepreneurs and domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D), while increasing the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. MTI provides an interactive assessment tool to help you determine whether your company is a good fit and if, so, excellent proposal support for these applications. Check out MTI’s SBIR page for more information on the process. Deadlines for upcoming opportunities are listed here, but we encourage you to visit the federal websites yourself as dates occasionally change.

Active and Upcoming Solicitations

Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Date: Estimated release date: late September 2024

Department of Homeland Security

Date: Estimated release date: October 2024

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Date: Estimated release date: October 2024

National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR 2023

Proposals Due: NSF accepts pitches anytime and provides a response within about 30 days. NSF has 31 broad topic areas. Must submit Project Pitch to receive invitation to submit full proposal. MTI can help with your Project Pitch! Due dates for full proposals are November 6, 2024, March 5, 2025, July 2, 2025, November 5, 2025

National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR

NIH has an Omnibus solicitation with three due dates: January 5, April 5, and September 5,. Note: NIH also has various SBIR/STTR opportunities listed with a focus on special topics. NIH also has a contract solicitation which is now open. Visit MTI’s website to review an NIH 3-part webinar series with helpful information about the NIH SBIR/STTR programs.

Department of Defense SBIR/STTR BAAs

SBIR 24.3 and STTR 24.C topics have been released and solicitation opened September 18, 2024 and closes October 16, 2024. Other components may have open solicitations throughout the year with various due dates.

Department of Energy

Proposals Due: DOE will release its FY2025 Release 2 Topics on November 12, 2024 and the full Funding Opportunity Announcement will be released on December 16, 2024. Mandatory Letters of Intent (LOI) will be due January 7, 2025 with full proposals due February 26, 2025. Must submit LOI to be eligible to submit a full proposal.

Past Deadlines

Below are opportunities that have passed and will open again in early 2025.

NASA

January, 2025 with proposals due March, 2025.

Department of Transportation

Estimated topic release January, 2025. The full solicitation released February 2025.

Environmental Protection Agency

Estimated release date: June 2025 with proposals due August 2025

US Department of Agriculture

Estimated release date July, 2025 with proposals due September 2025