SBIR.gov

SBIR.gov is the official US government website dedicated to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, serving as the central hub for finding funding opportunities, submitting Phase I applications at participating agencies, and tracking awards.

What is SBIR.gov?

SBIR.gov is operated by the Small Business Administration and consolidates SBIR and STTR solicitations from all 11 federal agencies that participate in the programs - including DoD, NIH, NSF, NASA, DOE, USDA, EPA, and others. Before SBIR.gov, small businesses needed to monitor each agency's individual SBIR program website to find relevant solicitations. SBIR.gov aggregates these into a single searchable database with filters by agency, technology topic, and open/closed status.

The platform hosts the full solicitation text for each SBIR and STTR topic, including the technical objectives, scope requirements, Phase I work plan expectations, and desired outcomes. For DoD SBIR solicitations, SBIR.gov is also the submission portal where companies create accounts and submit Phase I proposals directly. Other agencies may link to their own submission portals from the SBIR.gov listing. The site also provides an awards database where visitors can search past SBIR and STTR awards by company name, agency, topic, and fiscal year - useful for identifying which companies have received SBIR funding in a given technology area.

SBIR.gov publishes the official program guides for both SBIR and STTR, including eligibility requirements, funding amounts by phase, and commercialization expectations. Phase I awards typically range from $50,000 to $300,000 depending on the agency; Phase II awards typically range from $300,000 to $2 million. Phase III is a commercialization phase that may involve additional government contracts or commercial investment and does not have a defined funding cap.

Why SBIR.gov matters for government contractors

For small technology companies, SBIR and STTR funding is among the most accessible non-dilutive capital available - the government funds R&D without taking equity. SBIR.gov is the gateway to this funding ecosystem. Companies that monitor SBIR.gov systematically, track agency topic areas relevant to their technology, and build relationships with agency program managers before solicitations open have significantly better win rates than those who discover opportunities close to the deadline. The awards database also functions as competitive intelligence: searching for Phase II awardees in a technology area reveals who has proven capabilities and government relationships in that space.

Example

A small robotics startup wants to pursue SBIR funding for an autonomous inspection system technology. The team searches SBIR.gov filtering by keyword (autonomous inspection) and finds seven active topics across DoD and DOE with Phase I budgets of $150,000 to $250,000. They download the topic descriptions, identify two with technical requirements that match their current prototype stage, and contact the listed technical points of contact with brief technical summaries before the solicitation closes. Both contacts express interest and encourage a full Phase I submission. The startup submits two Phase I proposals and receives one Phase I award valued at $225,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SBIR and STTR on SBIR.gov?

SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) is available to small businesses that conduct most of the technical work internally. STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) requires a formal collaboration with a nonprofit research institution - typically a university or federally funded R&D center - that performs a portion of the R&D. STTR is designed for technologies that originate in academic or research settings and need a small business partner to commercialize them. Both programs use the same Phase I, II, III structure.

Can I use SBIR.gov to find past award recipients in my technology area?

Yes. The SBIR.gov awards database is searchable by keyword, agency, fiscal year, and company name. Searching for past awards in your technology area reveals which companies the government has already funded in that space, which agencies have a pattern of funding that technology, and at what Phase I and Phase II values. This competitive intelligence helps you assess whether an area is well-served by existing awardees or has underserved needs.

Do SBIR awards appear on USAspending.gov?

Yes. SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards are federal contracts (or in some cases grants depending on the agency) and are reported in the federal spending systems. However, the award records on USAspending may not be easily identifiable as SBIR unless you filter by the relevant PSC code or search the award description. SBIR.gov's own awards database is the more direct tool for SBIR-specific research.

What happens if I win a Phase I but not a Phase II?

Phase I success does not guarantee Phase II selection. After a Phase I award, companies typically submit a Phase II proposal demonstrating that the Phase I research met its objectives and that the technology is ready for Phase II development. Agency selection rates for Phase II vary significantly - some agencies fund nearly all successful Phase I performers, while others are more selective. A Phase I award with a strong Phase II proposal and active engagement with the program manager gives the best odds of Phase II selection.