SBIR and STTR program overview
Official program overview and participating agency context.
Innovation funding guide
SBIR and STTR guide
SBIR and STTR are federal innovation programs for qualifying American small businesses. Readiness begins with an agency’s current solicitation, the research problem, the company’s eligibility, and a credible path from technical work to commercial relevance.
Guide
Turn the first question into a practical next step.
Choose the agency fit
Participating agencies set their own topics, solicitations, dates, and proposal requirements. A relevant technical idea is not enough if it does not align to the agency mission and current funding notice.
Define the research work
Clarify the technical challenge, uncertainty, milestones, team capability, budget, and expected outputs. The proposal should explain what is being developed and why the work is responsive to the current solicitation.
Connect research to commercialization
A strong application should connect the research program to a practical commercialization path. Market context, customer need, development risk, and resources can help articulate the larger business case.
Plan the wider capital stack
SBIR or STTR can be reviewed alongside other incentive and financing considerations, but each source has separate rules. Confirm restrictions, cost treatment, ownership requirements, and deadlines before relying on any funding path.
Official sources
Current guidance is part of a sound funding conversation.
SBIR and STTR apply guidance
Official application and eligibility starting point.
Related paths
Continue with the page that matches the business need.
Funding, engineered
A useful funding plan starts with accurate facts and current rules.
Start with a no cost eligibility conversation and a clearer view of what may fit.