SBIR/STTR Programs

Businesses all across the country – from Ontario, New York to Friday Harbor, Washington – have received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards from the SBIR/STTR program led by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Goddard’s SBIR program, together with the STTR program (which includes a formal collaboration with a research institution) provides funds to domestic small businesses. These businesses then participate in federal research and development to advance promising technologies with commercial potential.

Each year, Goddard subject matter experts develop subtopics that contain NASA’s technology needs. Companies can submit proposals related to those subtopics and participate in a competitive process to receive funds from NASA to develop these technologies.

The program is divided into several funding and development phases. During Phase I of the SBIR program, companies have six months to complete SBIR awards to study scientific, technical and commercial feasibility, while companies have 13 months to complete STTR awards. Phase II covers 24 months, in which companies develop, demonstrate and deliver their innovation. In Phase III, companies reach successful commercialization of their innovation.

Goddard civil servants can nominate subtopics on research and development needs that align with the agency’s evolving mission needs and priorities. By nominating subtopics for consideration, Goddard researchers can help address NASA’s R&D challenges while fostering entrepreneurial innovation.

Contact Joseph Famiglietti or Quenton Bonds to learn more about the schedule for SBIR subtopic harvesting or visit NASA’s SBIR/STTR program website.

Joseph Famiglietti
(301) 286-1833
Joseph.Famiglietti-1@nasa.gov

Quenton Bonds
(301) 286-7083
Quenton.Bonds@nasa.gov

Resources

SBIR/STTR Program Structure: http://partnerships.gsfc.nasa.gov/internal-inventors/sbir-sttr-programs/program-structure/