NASA SBIR/STTR (incl. SBIR Ignite)
Standard Phase I up to ~$150,000 (SBIR Ignite up to ~$150,000); Phase II up to ~$850,000–$1M+ · National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) · rolling applications
NASA SBIR/STTR funds small businesses developing space and aeronautics technologies (and dual-use spinouts). 'SBIR Ignite' is a commercialization-first track for companies pursuing commercial markets alongside NASA needs. In Program Year 2026 NASA moved to a rolling Broad Agency Announcement releasing subtopic appendices through the year. Current lifecycle: open. Real economics: Standard Phase I up to ~$150,000 (SBIR Ignite up to ~$150,000); Phase II up to ~$850,000–$1M+.
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Key facts
| Funder | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
| Amount | Standard Phase I up to ~$150,000 (SBIR Ignite up to ~$150,000); Phase II up to ~$850,000–$1M+ |
| Deadline | Rolling — apply anytime |
| Decision time | Phase I selections typically ~3–4 months after close |
| Eligibility | US for-profit small business (<500 employees), >50% US-owned; PI primary employment with the SBC (SBIR). STTR requires a US research-institution partner. US-based work. |
| Restrictions | Awards are contracts or grants with technical milestones, invoices, cybersecurity and federal compliance; Phase II and transition funding are separately competed or negotiated. Funds pay only the awarded topic's allowable R&D costs; lobbying, unsupported costs and work outside contract scope are excluded. |
| Status | open |
Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.
Application process
- Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration, and NASA SBIR/STTR Electronic Handbook (EHB) account
- Review the current BAA appendix / subtopics (rolling in PY2026) and select one
- Prepare and submit the Phase I proposal via the NASA EHB
- NASA technical and commercial evaluation
- Phase I award; invited Phase II follows (Post-Phase II / matching options exist)
Background
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operates NASA SBIR/STTR (incl. SBIR Ignite). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. NASA publishes selected firms and commercialization stories. The federal SBIR/STTR framework provides a competitive Phase I-to-Phase II pathway. Phase III uses non-SBIR funding and is not guaranteed.
How the application really works
Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration, and NASA SBIR/STTR Electronic Handbook (EHB) account → Review the current BAA appendix / subtopics (rolling in PY2026) and select one → Prepare and submit the Phase I proposal via the NASA EHB → NASA technical and commercial evaluation → Phase I award; invited Phase II follows (Post-Phase II / matching options exist)
Tips
- Show direct fit with space, aeronautics and dual-use technology.
Watch out for
- Current lifecycle is open.
- Awards are contracts or grants with technical milestones, invoices, cybersecurity and federal compliance; Phase II and transition funding are separately competed or negotiated.
- Funds pay only the awarded topic's allowable R&D costs; lobbying, unsupported costs and work outside contract scope are excluded.
Track record
- NASA publishes selected firms and commercialization stories.
- The federal SBIR/STTR framework provides a competitive Phase I-to-Phase II pathway.
- Phase III uses non-SBIR funding and is not guaranteed.
The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this actionable now?
- open. NASA uses rolling 2026 BAA appendices including Ignite; applicants must verify the live topic and close date because release windows change.
- What is the real economic value?
- Standard Phase I up to ~$150,000 (SBIR Ignite up to ~$150,000); Phase II up to ~$850,000–$1M+
- Who is eligible?
- US for-profit small business (<500 employees), >50% US-owned; PI primary employment with the SBC (SBIR). STTR requires a US research-institution partner. US-based work.
- How does selection work?
- Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration, and NASA SBIR/STTR Electronic Handbook (EHB) account; Review the current BAA appendix / subtopics (rolling in PY2026) and select one; Prepare and submit the Phase I proposal via the NASA EHB; NASA technical and commercial evaluation; Phase I award; invited Phase II follows (Post-Phase II / matching options exist). Phase I selections typically ~3–4 months after close
- What burden and restrictions apply?
- Awards are contracts or grants with technical milestones, invoices, cybersecurity and federal compliance; Phase II and transition funding are separately competed or negotiated. Funds pay only the awarded topic's allowable R&D costs; lobbying, unsupported costs and work outside contract scope are excluded.
- What evidence exists?
- NASA publishes selected firms and commercialization stories. The federal SBIR/STTR framework provides a competitive Phase I-to-Phase II pathway. Phase III uses non-SBIR funding and is not guaranteed. The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.
Related grants
Sources
- sbir.nasa.gov — Official NASA program, topics and public contact (checked 2026-08-10)
- www.sbir.gov/about — Official federal eligibility, phases, ownership and data-rights framework (checked 2026-08-10)
- www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app — Official live defense topic evidence where applicable (checked 2026-08-10)