Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through formal cooperative research and development between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The aim of a Phase I project should be to demonstrate technical feasibility of the proposed innovation and thereby bring the innovation closer to commercialization. Proposals should describe the development of an innovation that demonstrates the following characteristics: 1.) Involves a high degree of technical risk – for example, has never been attempted and/or successfully achieved and is still facing technical hurdles (that the USDA-funded R&D work is intended to overcome). 2.) Has the potential for significant commercial impact and/or societal benefit as evidenced by having the potential to disrupt the targeted market segment; having good product-market fit (as validated by customers); removing barriers to entry for competition; and offering potential for societal benefit (through commercialization under a sustainable business model). 3.) Phase I awards may not exceed the listed maximum award amount for each topic area (listed with specific Program Code) with a project period normally not to exceed eight (8) months for SBIR and twelve (12) months for STTR. 4.) The Phase I application should concentrate on research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept, describe the potential market for the innovation, and be a prerequisite to further USDA SBIR/STTR support in Phase II. The aim of SBIR/STTR Phase II applications is to continue the R&D developed under Phase I with a goal to commercialize and bring the innovation to market as the Phase II project completes. Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are generally released annually. See the program NOFO for specific and detailed information. Specific instructions in the NOFOs supersede the general information provided in the Assistance Listing. The programs and associated NOFOs listed under Assistance Listing 10.212 are: 1.) SBIR/STTR Phase I: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology-transfer 2.) SBIR/STTR Phase II: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/small-business-innovation-research-small-business-technology