Your Trusted Companion for SBIR Success
You’re a small business owner with a brilliant idea that could turn into a marketable product or service. You know there’s funding available for research and development through the (SBIR) Small Business Innovation Research and (STTR) Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
But you don’t know how to set the wheels in motion.
Team 80, your SBIR accounting experts, have set up the ultimate guide for SBIR resources to help your small business along your journey to landing Phase I & II awards.
SBIR FAQs
We understand the challenges small business owners face when it comes to doing business with the federal government. So we decided to pull together a list of frequently asked questions and resources to help you secure SBIR funding:
What is the SBIR Program?
SBIR stands for The Small Business Innovation Research program. It’s a highly competitive United States government program that awards grants and contracts to small businesses conducting early-stage research and development.
SBIR programs encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R&D) for innovative commercial ideas.
What are the three phases of the SBIR program?
Phase I
Phase I establishes the technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed R&D efforts. The government generally awards $50,000 – $250,000 for six months or one year.
Phase II
Phase II continues the R/R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. The government bases Phase II funding on Phase I results. They also base funding on the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II.
Phase III
Phase III helps small businesses pursue commercialization objectives resulting from the Phase I/II R/R&D activities. The SBIR/STTR programs do not fund Phase III. At some Federal agencies, Phase III may involve follow-on non-SBIR/STTR funded R&D or production contracts for products, processes, or services intended for use by the U.S. Government
Do you have to be a Phase I awardee to be eligible for Phase II?
Traditionally, yes—Phase II is designed to continue the R&D begun during a Phase I award. Most agencies require a completed Phase I project before accepting a Phase II proposal.
However, some agencies offer a Direct-to-Phase-II (DP2) option. This pathway allows small businesses to apply directly for Phase II without a prior Phase I award, as long as they can demonstrate they’ve already completed the equivalent of Phase I feasibility work. DP2 availability varies by agency and specific solicitation.
Standard Phase II awards generally fall around $750,000 for a two-year period, though funding levels can differ based on agency guidelines.
How do I apply for SBIR?
How do I find an appropriate topic?
You can find a list of available SBIR topics here at the official U.S. government website for people who make, receive, and manage federal awards.
You can go here to explore the topics currently under trial.
Who is eligible to receive SBIR awards?
Small businesses must meet the following eligibility requirements at the time of Phase I and Phase II awards:
- Organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States
- More than 50% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or by other small business concerns that are each more than 50% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States.
- No more than 500 employees, including affiliates
Are non-profits eligible for SBIR awards?
No, but small businesses can use nonprofits as subcontractors.
What is an SBIR funding agreement?
An SBIR funding agreement is a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement between a small business and a Federal Agency participating in the SBIR program for research and development.
What are the performance benchmark requirements?
Small businesses must meet minimum performance requirements – you can familiarize yourself with those requirements here.
What agencies participate in the SBIR program?
There are currently eleven agencies participating in the SBIR program. Each agency accepts proposals from small businesses that match an opportunity from a list of designated R&D topics.
Each agency has its own SBIR office and point of contact.
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Department of Commerce (DOC) – National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Department of Commerce (DOC) – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Department of Education (ED)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Air Force (AFWERX)
- Army
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- Defense Health Agency (DHA)
- Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
- Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA)
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
- Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- Navy
- Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (ND-CBD)
- Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
2026 SBIR & STTR Deadlines by Agency
UPDATE: On April 13, 2026, the President signed bipartisan legislation (S. 3971) into law, reauthorizing the SBIR and STTR programs through Sept. 30, 2031.
Due to the April 2026 reauthorization, many agencies are updating FY2026 schedules. Dates below reflect the most current confirmed deadlines and expected timelines.
Department of Agriculture
- FY2026 Solicitation – Expected (Summer 2026)
Department of Commerce
- NOAA FY2026 Solicitation – Expected (Winter 2026)
- NIST SBIR Phase II – Closes (06/14/2025)
- NIST FY2026 Phase I – Expected (Late 2026)
Department of Defense
DoD currently has overlapping solicitations due to the reauthorization delay, including 2025.4 topics and FY2026 BAA releases.
- DoD SBIR/STIR FY2026 Release 2 – Closes (06/24/2026)
- DoD SBIR/STIR FY2026 Release 2 – Closes (07/22/2026)
- DoD SBIR/STIR FY2026 Release 2 – Closes (08/19/2026)
- DoD SBIR/STIR FY2026 Release 2 – Closes (09/23/2026)
- DoD SBIR/STIR FY2026 Release 2 – Closes (10/21/2026)
- ARMY SBIR/STTR (DoD SBIR 2025.4) – Closes (05/13/2026) & CSO – xTech/Other) – Closes (08/28/2026)
- USAF Air Force SBIR/STTR (DoD SBIR/STTR 2025.4) – Closes (05/13/2026) & (DoD SBIR 2026 BAA) – Closes (06/03/2026)
- DARPA SBIR/STTR (DoD SBIR 2025.4) – Closes (05/13/2026)
- SOCOM SBIR/STTR (DoD SBIR 2025.4) – Closes (05/13/2026)
- CBD Chemical Biological Defense SBIR/STTR – Closes (05/13/2026)
- DMEA SBIR/STTR – Closes (05/13/2026)
- DTRA SBIR/STTR – Closes (05/13/2026)
- DARPA SBIR/STTR (DoD STTR 2026 BAA) – Closes (06/03/2026)
- DHA – Defense Health Agency SBIR/STTR – Closes (06/03/2026)
- DLA – No Opportunities
- NAVY – SBIR/STTR (DoD SBIR/STTR 2026 BAA) – Closes (06/03/2026)
- OSD – Office of the Secretary of Defense – Closes (06/03/2026)
- SOCOM SBIR/STTR (2026 BAA) – Closes (06/03/2026)
Environmental Protection Agency
- EPA FY2026 Solicitation – Expected (Summer 2026)
*EPA issues one SBIR solicitation annually.*
Department of Transportation
FY2026 Solicitation – 05/29/2026
*FY26 Proposed Research Topics*
Team 80 STTR & SBIR Deadlines
Updated 04-15-2026
Official SBIR Resource
SBIR.GOV Updated Solicitations
NASA
- NASA SBIR Phase II – Closes (05/15/2026)
- NASA FY2026 Phase I – Expected (TBD)
Department of Education
- ED/IES SBIR FY2026 Pre-Solicitation – Released (04/14/2026)
FY2026 Full Solicitation – Expected (June 2026) &
FY2026 Application Deadline – Expected (Late June 2026)
Department of Energy
- DOE SBIR/STTR FY2026 Phase II Release 2 – Closes (04/21/2026)DOE FY2026 Additional Releases – Expected (TBD)
*DOE runs multiple SBIR/STTR releases per year with staggered deadlines.*
Department of Homeland Security
- No current solicitation – FY2026 Solicitation – Expected (Late 2026)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
- No Current Opportunities
- FY2026 Solicitation – Expected (TBD)
Department of Health & Human Services
(NIH, CDC, FDA)
Standard Application Due Dates are September 5, January 5, and April 5. Due dates that fall on weekends or Federal holidays are moved to the next business day.
- HHS SBIR Solicitations
• 02/24/2026
• 03/14/2026
• 06/23/2026
• 06/26/2026
• 08/19/2026
• 09/06/2026
• 12/10/2026
• 01/06/2027
• 01/08/2027
• 01/14/2027
• 02/27/2027
• 04/06/2027
• 08/19/2027
• 09/06/2027
- HHS STTR Solicitations
• 02/24/2026
• 03/14/2026
• 09/06/2026
• 06/26/2026
• 12/10/2026
• 01/06/2027
• 04/06/2027
SBIR Grant Writers
SBIR Events
SBIR.GOV EVENTS
current events from sbir.gov
SBIR/STTR Spring Innovation Conference
March 10, 2026 – March 12, 2026
SBIR/STTR Fall Innovation Conference
September 21, 2026 – September 23, 2026
SBIR Accountant
Navigating the SBIR program journey can be daunting and time-consuming.
With over 25 years of experience working with agencies that participate in the SBIR program, Team 80 is an SBIR-approved accounting team that offers remote SBIR accounting services to help you navigate your STTR / SBIR Phase I & II journey. Let us take over so that you can get back to focusing on what matters!
SBIR Additional Resources
- Department of Energy Lab Partnering Service – this is a resource for connecting investors with DOE experts to quickly answer innovation questions.
- FLC Business-Your One-Stop Shop For U.S. Laboratory Information – this is a comprehensive list of federal laboratory resources.
- SBIR Resources by State – A complete list of states that match funds—and the amounts they match
Get in touch today to learn more about how Team 80 can help with your SBIR accounting needs. There’s money out there for you – it’s time to take advantage of it.
Sarah Sinicki
Team 80 CEO
Sarah is a leader focused on serving small businesses in various industries. She has worked with a multitude of companies over the last 25 years and loves helping business owners find success. Sarah is genuinely committed to unburdening Team 80 clients so that they have the freedom to focus on their business. In her free time, you can find her spending time with her husband, two kids, and her Yorkies, Marley and Ziggy. When she is not helping business owners, you can find her in a Reb3l Groove class dancing it out. Sarah is also an avid Colorado Avalanche fan, so if you ever want to talk about hockey, she’s your gal.
