The SBIR/STTR Lapse is Over: How to Apply Right Now

With the recent reauthorization of the SBIR/STTR programs, three agencies have current funding opportunities: 

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
  Upcoming deadlines are September 5, 2026; January 5, 2027; and April 5, 2027. The NIH typically schedules SBIR/STTR deadlines on the 5th of January, April, and September each year. These deadlines apply to Phase I, Phase II, Fast Track, and Direct to Phase II proposals. If you are submitting a Phase IIB (Strategic Breakthrough Award) or Commercial Readiness Pilot (CRP) proposal, the January 5, April 5, and September 5 deadlines also apply unless a specific Institute (e.g., NIA, NIAID), Center (e.g., NCCIH), or parent announcement (e.g., PAR-27-098) specifies otherwise. Read more information.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) 
  Upcoming deadlines are July 27, 2026, and November 4, 2026. These deadlines apply to Phase I, Phase II, and Fast Track proposals. Beginning after November 4, 2026, deadlines will occur on the first Thursday in March, the first Wednesday in July, and the first Wednesday in November each year. Read more information.
• Department of War (DoW) 
  New topics are released on the first Wednesday of each month. Deadlines for Phase I, Phase II, and Direct to Phase II proposals typically fall toward the end of each month. Read more information.

A few SBIR/STTR agencies have had deadlines pass:

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
  Phase I submission deadline passed on May 21, 2026
• Department of Education
  Phase IA, Phase IB, and Phase II submission deadline passed on June 29, 2026.
• Department of Transportation (DOT)
  Phase I submission deadline passed on July 7,  2026.

Other agencies have yet to release solicitations for 2026.

For companies preparing to apply, a structured and strategic approach is essential. A typical SBIR/STTR preparation timeline spans approximately 12 weeks:

Week 1: Understand the SBIR/STTR Program
This includes learning the differences between SBIR and STTR mechanisms, distinguishing between grants and contracts, and conducting a thorough past award search on SBIR.gov to see which agencies could be a good fit for you.

Week 2: Test the Waters
We recommend reviewing current solicitations in detail, ensuring your technology’s alignment with agency priorities, and beginning early engagement with program managers to validate your fit. 

Weeks 3–12: Write and Submit the SBIR/STTR Proposal
This period involves developing a comprehensive R&D plan, commercialization strategy/plan, budget (including direct costs, indirect costs, 7% fee, and justification) and other supporting documents. We recommend sharing your proposal draft at least once with 2-3 objective reviewers, whether they are internal or external.

Given the competitive nature of SBIR/STTR funding, early preparation, agency alignment, and proactive communication with program officers can significantly improve your chances of winning an award. With NIH, NSF, and DoW currently accepting applications, now is an opportune time for small businesses to advance innovative technologies toward commercialization. Of course, if you are interested in other SBIR/STTR agencies, please check out sbir.gov for updates.

Need some assistance planning SBIR/STTR submissions or writing your proposal? Please reach out to the SBTDC Technology Commercialization team by submitting a request for counseling. You can also download our free SBIR/STTR 12-Week Proposal Preparation Guide.