Synopsis
Introduction to the Program:
The NSF STTR program focuses on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental or basic research activities that focus on scientific and engineering discovery itself, the NSF STTR program supports the creation of opportunities to move fundamental science and engineering out of the lab and into the market or other use at scale, or startups and small businesses representing “deep technology ventures.”
The NSF STTR Program funds research and development. The program is designed to provide non-dilutive funding and entrepreneurial support at the earliest stages of company and technology development.
Synopsis of Program:
The STTR program is intended to support scientific excellence and technological innovation that is moving from the lab to the market. By investing federal research and development funds into startups and small businesses, NSF hopes to build a strong national economy and stimulate the creation of novel products, services, and solutions in the private sector; strengthen the role of small business in meeting federal research and development needs; increase the commercial application of federally supported research results; and develop and increase the US workforce, especially by fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
The STTR program at NSF solicits proposals based on groundbreaking scientific discoveries or significant engineering breakthroughs from the small businesses consistent with NSF's mission to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.
The program is governed by Public Law 114-328 (SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2017). SBIR/STTR policy is provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the SBIR/STTR Policy Directive.
The NSF SBIR/STTR program welcomes proposals from many topics and does not have a specific topical or procurement focus. The topics are detailed on the program website. The program is also open to proposals focusing on technical and market areas not explicitly noted in the aforementioned topics.
Program contacts
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Henry Ahn Biomedical (BM) Technologies and Medical Devices (MD)
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hahn@nsf.gov | 703-292-7069 | TIP/TI |
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Peter Atherton Advanced Analytics (AA); Artificial Intelligence (AI); Cloud and High-Performance Computing (CH); Cybersecurity and Authentication (CA); and Quantum Information Technologies (QT)
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patherto@nsf.gov | 703-292-8772 | TIP/TI |
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Anna Brady-Estevez Chemical Technologies (CT); Energy Technologies (EN); and Distributed Ledger (DL)
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abrady@nsf.gov | 703-292-7077 | TIP/TI |
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Kaitlin Bratlie Pharmaceutical Technologies (PT)
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kbratlie@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2638 | |
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Diane Hickey Augmented and Virtual Reality (AV); Learning and Cognition Technologies (LC); and Human-Computer Interaction (HC)
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dhickey@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8875 | |
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Steven Konsek Advanced Materials (AM); Power Management (PM); Nanotechnology (N); Semiconductors (S); Photonics (PH); and Other Topics (OT)
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skonsek@nsf.gov | 703-292-7021 | |
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Rajesh Mehta Environmental Technologies (ET)
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rmehta@nsf.gov | 703-292-2174 | TIP/TI |
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Elizabeth Mirowski Advanced Manufacturing (M) and Mobility (MO)
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emirowsk@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2936 | TIP/TI |
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Alastair Monk Digital Health (DH)
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amonk@nsf.gov | (703) 292-4392 | TIP/TI |
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Muralidharan S. Nair Internet of Things (I); Robotics (R); Space Technologies (SP); and Wireless Technologies (W)
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mnair@nsf.gov | 703-292-7059 | |
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Erik Pierstorff Biological Technologies (BT)
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epiersto@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2165 | TIP/TI |
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Benaiah D. Schrag Instrumentation and Hardware Systems (IH)
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bschrag@nsf.gov | (703) 292-8323 | TIP/TI |