Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
What is SBIR?
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides non dilutive seed money to small businesses who are developing a technology that might provide a solution to a challenge the nation faces as a whole.
What is STTR?
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program provides seed money to small businesses who are developing a technology in tandem with a university or national laboratory.
Who is eligible for the programs?
The programs are open to any small business that is a for profit entity owned by a U.S. citizen. Other eligibility requirements can be found on the SBIR website.
What is a principle investigator?
The Principal Investigator (PI) is the primary point of contact for any SBIR or STTR submission. They must be employed by the business at time of award.
How much funding is available?
What is TABA?
Technical and business assistance funding (TABA) can be requested with most SBIR submissions. Tributary Insights is a TABA provider and can assist with acquiring and executing the use of this funding.
SBIR and STTR funding amounts vary from agency to agency, but they all award in two phases: Phase 1: for concept feasibility, typically between $40,000 and $230,000, 3 to 9 months; and Phase 2: for prototype development, typically around $1 million and 24 months. The third phase funding is derived from the commercialization of the innovation.
The SBIR/STTR programs are administered by the Small Business Administration.
Notice
The SBIR /STTR programs were reauthorized April 2026
See our
webinars for important changes
How We Help Applicants
Phase 1
No Cost Options
SBIR/STTR Webinar Series
30 minute consultations
TABA letter
Fee based
1:1 Advising
NSF Project Pitch Assistance
NSF Phase 0 Programs
Phase 2
No Cost Options
TRL 4 Level Webinars
30 minute consultations
TABA assistance
Fee Based
Pathways to Commercialization Advising
Phase 3
No Cost Options
Innovator Roundtables
Connections to resources
Fee based
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1
Business must be a legally established business in their state and eligible for federal funding
Visit our Innovator Roadmap for more information
2
Businesses must be working on cutting edge technology that a federal agency may want to support.
Interested?
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3
Applicants will need to have a plan to take their innovation from concept to commercialization.
Applicants will want to develop a support team that includes SBA resources, a TABA provider and others