What is the SBIR and what kind of grants do they offer?
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is a government-sponsored grant funding program for research-based businesses with commercialization potential. Called America’s Seed Fund, the SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact.
According to the agency, the SBIR fosters and encourages “…participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by all people, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and entrepreneurs located in all 50 states and U.S. territories.”
In 2022, the SBIR will award grants through 12 main federal agencies:
- Small Business Administration
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Education
- Department of Energy
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Transportation
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Science Foundation
Keep in mind that the SBIR does not award grant funding to start up or “operate” your business. Instead, they offer grant funding to established businesses that are working on projects that help to improve our country and its communities, that are mostly in the development phase. For example, if you are looking for funds to open that coffee shop you always wanted, or to rescue animals…the SBIR is not for you. But if you’re trying to develop a system to take the place of hydraulic fracturing, in order to find a more environmentally-friendly method for getting oil out of rock formations, then the SBIR is a good place to start!
For more information or to find out if there’s a chance your project could qualify, email us HERE.