The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are competitive non-dilutive funding programs that support American small businesses in developing innovative technologies with strong commercial potential. For more information on the programs please visit: DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), U.S. Department of Energy
ConnectWerx (CWX), managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI) is a non-federal partnership intermediary that works on DOE’s behalf under a formal legal agreement with the DOE Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) called a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). For the SBIR/STTR program, CWX conducts outreach, solicitation management, collaboration events, negotiations, and facilitates the execution of agreements with selected performers. DOE remains responsible for program design, funding, award selection, funding agreements, and technical and project oversight. For additional information about the PIA, please see DOE Partnership Intermediary Agreement, U.S. Department of Energy.
| Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) | Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of Agency’s R&D budget | 3.2% | 0.45% |
| Partnership Requirement | Partnerships with Nonprofit Research Institution is allowed but not required | Partnership with a Nonprofit Research Institution is required (e.g. university) |
| Level of Effort Requirement | Small businesses may outsource: • 33% of Phase I research • 50% of Phase II research | Minimum work requirements: • 40% by small business • 30% by research institution partner • The remaining work may be done by either or outsourced |
| Principal Investigator (PI) | Primary employment (> 50%) should be with the small business | PI must be employed by either the partnering research institution or small business. PI must devote at least 10% FTE to the project. |
Yes, provided the application meets the requirements of both the SBIR and STTR programs. In the application, you will be asked to which program you are applying and be permitted to choose from SBIR, STTR, or both.
Phase I
Phase I is meant to help small businesses determine the scientific and technical merit of their proposed research and begin taking steps towards commercialization. Phase I involves short-term (6-12 month), smaller awards (up to $250,000) and is designed to support early concept validation. If awarded, funds will be used to demonstrate feasibility and proof of concept for the project.
DOE will then make a “Go/No Go” decision at the end of Phase I to determine if a participant is eligible to move on to Phase II.
Phase II
The Phase II award continues the research and development efforts of Phase I, further demonstrating their technical validity and commercial potential. Phase II involves longer term (1– 2 years), larger dollar awards (up to $2 million) and is designed to continue supporting the successful Phase I projects by moving into prototyping and demonstration. Teams may receive multiple sequential Phase II awards (“Phase II.2”) in order to continue developing projects; however, matching funds will be required for a third Phase II award. In order to help onboard legacy projects to the new program structure, we have provided the following crosswalk:
| Prior Program Structure | New Program Structure |
|---|---|
| Phase I | Phase I |
| Phase II | Phase II |
| Phase IIA or IIB | Phase II.2 |
| Phase IIC | Third Phase II |
A Strategic Breakthrough Award is a new, statutorily authorized award type established by the 2026 SBIR/STTR reauthorization. It complements the traditional SBIR/STTR funding pathway by providing an additional SBIR/STTR funding opportunity for eligible small businesses after Phase II and before or alongside Phase III commercialization (which does not use SBIR/STTR funds). These awards are intended to help high-performing companies accelerate the transition of promising technologies to commercial and mission use through larger (up to $30 million), longer-duration (up to four years) awards. After successfully completing Phase II project(s) (including multiple sequential awards if applicable), project ideas that are strategically aligned with DOE’s mission objectives and have high commercialization potential may be eligible for a Strategic Breakthrough Award.
- Only existing Phase I and II Awardees from a prior round of SBIR/STTR awards are eligible to apply for the Phase II Opportunity. Phase II Opportunities in this Application Hub serve to bring existing Phase I and Phase II Awards into the new SBIR/STTR Program format.
- New participants to the program must submit a single application for Phase I to enter the program, starting with the “Pitch”.
New participants must apply to Phase I to be eligible for subsequent program phases. If the Project Pitch indicates the innovation is suitable for the program, DOE will extend an official invitation for the company to submit a full proposal. If an invitation to continue is not extended, a brief explanation will be shared with the company. Once awarded a Phase I award, companies may then advance through subsequent phases (i.e., Phase II, Phase II.2) at their own pace and with DOE approval by successfully meeting milestones and performance criteria that will be established during award negotiation.
At this time, DOE does not offer applicants a direct to Phase II opportunity and applicants must access the Programs through a Phase I application.
DOE offers this opportunity contingent on finding that, after consultation with both agencies, the topics of the relevant awards are the same. If you are interested in applying for cross-agency award under a DOE SBIR/STTR Phase II funding opportunity, please contact our office to request the topics determination decision.
Yes, the current Phase I Opportunity is limited to select topics that support the Genesis Mission. It is expected that applications for additional Phase I topics will occur later this year. Afterwards, the DOE expects to release SBIR/STTR Phase I Opportunities on an annual basis.
OTC is leveraging ConnectWerx, a Partnership Intermediary Organization, to administer the SBIR/STTR program (including outreach, solicitation management, collaboration events, negotiations, and execution of business agreements with selected performers). DOE remains responsible for program design, funding, technical oversight, and award selection. Eligibility requirements for first, second (previously Phase IIA or IIB), and third Phase II (previously Phase IIC) funding opportunities are unchanged in this release.
The FY 2025 Phase II Release II opportunity for the following DOE Applied Offices is now open. Please see the opportunity page for more information.
-
- Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response
- Office of Electricity
- Office of Nuclear Energy
- National Nuclear Security Administration
- Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (formerly Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)
- Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Office (formerly Fossil Energy and Carbon Management)
The FY 2026 Phase II funding opportunity is expected to be released in FY 2027.
How do current or prior awardees know whether they are eligible for upcoming Phase II opportunities?
All eligible awardees for both fiscal year 2025 and 2026 opportunities will be notified by email when the applicable Phase II solicitation is released.
Only U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) are eligible to submit SBIR/STTR applications. Joint ventures may apply, provided the entity created also qualifies as a small business at the time of the award. An SBC is one that, at the time of award, meets all of the following U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defined criteria:
- Organized for-profit business, with a place of business located in the United States (U.S.), which operates primarily within the U.S. or which makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor;
- In the legal form of an individual proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, association, trust or cooperative, except that where the form is a joint venture, there can be no more than 49% participation by foreign business entities in the joint venture;
- At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the U.S., or it must be a for-profit business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by another for-profit business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the U.S. (except in the case of a joint venture, where each entity to the venture must be 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the U.S.); and
- Has, including its affiliates, not more than 500 employees and meets the other regulatory requirements found in 13 CFR Part 121. Business concerns, other than investment companies licensed, or state development companies qualifying under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C. 661, et seq., are affiliates of one another when either directly or indirectly, (a) one concern controls or has the power to control the other; or (b) a third-party/parties controls or has the power to control both.
Control can be exercised through common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. The term “affiliates” is defined in greater detail in 13 CFR 121. The term “number of employees” is defined in 13 CFR 121.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the SBA Size District Office. SBC’s submitting to both the SBIR and STTR programs must meet eligibility requirements of both SBIR and STTR applicants.
Applicants must self-certify in their applications that their company meets the definition of a small business concern (SBC) and is otherwise eligible (see above FAQ here). Applicants should be certain of their compliance with the eligibility requirements before formally certifying as an SBC. Information on SBA size determination and protest procedures can be found here.
A company being formed that has not yet obtained all required registrations may submit to the pitch stage, but is required to obtain all company registrations by the time of award.
Yes. DOE SBIR/STTR grants are awarded only to small, for-profit firms that meet the definition of an SBC as defined above. Individuals are not eligible for awards.
Commonly recognized business structures (e.g., S-corp, LLC, C-corp, sole proprietorship) that are for-profit small businesses are eligible.
No. The definition of an SBC is a firm that is at least 51 percent owned by individuals who are US citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens. Further, an SBC must have its principal place of business in the United States.
The applicant small business should disclose this information in the Professor’s Biosketch. For more information on Biosketches click here.
Yes. However, the small business must be the primary applicant and there are statutory requirements for minimum level of effort of each party that differ for SBIR vs. STTR. Contact information and Letters of Commitment from each subawardee are required.
The letter of commitment (LoC) must be supplied by consultants, subcontractors, Nonprofit Research Institution and other sub-awardees, as applicable. The LOC should be on official letterhead from an authorized representative of the sub-awardee which commits the institution to participate in the project as described in the application. The LOC must include name and address of institution, dollar amount of subcontract, and certifying official’s name, phone number and email address.
Example letters of commitment are provided here for a Research Institution and Subcontractor.
Please use the template provided here to consolidate the following into a single PDF for upload:
- One summary table showing all Project Partners and funding for each subcontract.
- Contact and company information for each Project Partner.
- A Letter of Commitment for each Project Partner.
- STTR Nonprofit Research Institution Certification (if applicable)
Letter of Commitment:
Letters of commitment are required for all consultants, subcontractors, research institutions and other sub-awardees of the proposed project. These letters demonstrate commitment by the partner institution to contribute to the proposed project at the level of effort required by the program.
Letter of Funding Commitment:
A letter of funding commitment is required to demonstrate the matching funds requirement for a Third Phase II award (formerly known as IIC). Other Phase II and Phase II.2 applicants who have secured matching funds for their projects are welcome to provide letters of funding commitment, but they are not required.
Letter of Support:
While a letter of support may be a commitment of funds, most often it is either an endorsement of the proposed work or an offer to provide facilities or data for the small business to carry out its research and development. Though they are not required, for a small business, a letter of support from a recognized expert in the field can present a particularly valuable voice to speak to the significance of the problem and/or the potential value of the approach suggested by the small business. Additionally, a well-known industry expert can be extremely useful in discussing the potential commercialization and market value of the proposed technology. Applicants should also seek letters of support from any State agencies who have promised matching funds should the applicant receive an SBIR/STTR award.
FFRDCs may be proposed as a team member subject to the following guidelines:
- Authorization for non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs: The Federal agency sponsoring the FFRDC must authorize in writing the use of the FFRDC on the proposed. The use of an FFRDC must be consistent with the FFRDC contract and must not place the FFRDC in direct competition with the private sector.
- Authorization for DOE/NNSA FFRDCs: The cognizant DOE Agreements Officer must authorize in writing the use of a DOE/NNSA FFRDC on the proposed project. See here for acceptable wording of this authorization.
Prior authorization is not required to submit an application; however, work may not be performed by the FFRDC until DOE Agreements Officer approval is provided, and failure to obtain such approval in a timely manner may delay the project if a grant is awarded. As such, it is strongly recommended to request authorization as soon as possible, and, if available, to submit alongside this application.
Minimum Required Levels of Effort as stated in the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act of 2026.
- SBIR Level of Effort Requirements
- Phase I: up to 33% of search effort can be subcontracted
- Phase II: up to 50% of search effort can be subcontracted
- STTR Level of Effort Requirements
- Up to 60% of research effort can be subcontracted
Applications must designate a Principal Investigator (PI) to lead the project. The PI must be knowledgeable in all technical aspects of the application and be capable of leading the research effort. Inclusion of other team members are optional; however, substantial contributors who meet the following definition of a “covered individual” must be aware that they are included in an application and must agree to perform the work if selected for award.
A covered individual is defined as:
- Contributing in a substantive, meaningful way to develop or execute the scope of work of a project proposed for funding by DOE
- Or is designated as a Covered Individual by DOE including the following:
- Principal investigator (PI)
- Project manager
- Any individual functionally performing as a PI or project manager
- Technical staff (e.g., postdoctoral fellows/researchers and graduate students)
- DOE may further designate covered Individuals during award negotiations or the award period of performance.
Yes. However, they must be aware of their inclusion in an application and must agree to perform the work if selected for award.
Biological Sketches and Current and Pending Support Documentation are required for the covered individuals who will be contributing to the efforts of the proposed project.
While there is some gray area between these roles, R&D subcontractors participating in the project are typically other companies, NonProfit Research Institutions, consulting firms, engineering design firms and more. A consultant is typically an individual or a small group who is providing subject matter expertise or other services on the project.
- For the SBIR Program, the PI must be principally employed by the small business by the start of the award.
- For the STTR Program, the PI must be principally employed by either the small business or the Nonprofit Research Institution by the start of the award. If the Pl is employed by the Nonprofit Research Institution, and is not employed by the small business, the Pl must devote at least 10% of their full-time equivalent (FTE) effort to the STTR project, or 0.1 FTE of work time.
No a Ph.D. is not required. The PI should be an expert in the technology field and have the ability to direct the Phase I feasibility study.
Co-PIs are not allowed.
Employees or owners of the SBC may not be employees of the subcontractor, except when the subcontractor is a research institution (STTR). Please note that conflicts of interest may arise when an employee/owner is also an employee of the research institution.
No. Small business owners or their employees cannot be paid as consultants, and this includes university professors that are small business owners.
The Phase I pitch does include a question and evaluation criteria regarding Team Qualifications. While letters of commitment are not required at the pitch stage of the application, demonstrating active partnerships early on can help elevate your pitch and set you up for a meritorious full application.
These can be found on the ConnectWerx Opportunity page.
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Company Registry
- ConnectWerx (CWX) Network and AMP Platform (coming soon!)
Guidance on the essential registrations for SAM.gov and the SBA Company Registry are provided on the OTC website here (LINK). Instructions for accessing AMP are here.
- Read the Opportunity Page to understand all application requirements. Phase I applicants will be required to submit an initial Pitch application before they are invited to apply in full. Phase II applicants should pay particular attention to the topic areas of interest and eligible prior NOFOs.
- Check that the requirements for SBIR and/or STTR level of effort is compliant with the statutory requirements.
- SBIR Level of Effort Requirements
- Phase I: up to 33% of search effort can be subcontracted
- Phase II: up to 50% of search effort can be subcontracted
- STTR Level of Effort Requirements
- Up to 60% of research effort can be subcontracted
- Phase I Period of Performance
- Can be from 6 to 12 months
- Is it enough time to complete the proposed work?
- Ensure compliance with proprietary information markings requirements as outlined in the project narrative template
- Start your proposal preparation process early!
- SBIR Level of Effort Requirements
Your application may be declined and not subject to full review at either the pitch stage (Phase I) or during the full application review (Phase I or Phase II) if reviewers determine at any point that your application materials:
- Do not respond to the prompts,
- Are not responsive to the listed topic,
- Are not for research or research and development,
- Do not contain sufficient information for a meaningful technical review,
- Duplicate other previously or currently DOE-funded work,
- Contain inappropriate content, and/or
- Do not meet the eligibility criteria.
Within the application, there are four open-text questions to guide the formation of your pitch. Essentially a short “elevator pitch”, these questions are your opportunity to convince DOE to accept and then review a full application for your project. The four questions that make up the pitch portion of the application, guidance, and requirements can be found here. Because of strict word count requirements, it is highly recommended that you download and then draft your responses outside of the application portal and then paste them in when you are ready to apply.
No, only those applicants that submit a Pitch application and are subsequently invited to submit a full application will be eligible to submit a full application. If you do not submit a pitch, or your Pitch application is declined, you will not be eligible to submit a full application.
From the pitch to the full application changes to the Topic and/or Prime small business will not be permitted. Slight change to the title is permissible.
You will receive an email from ConnectWerx confirming your submission was accepted.
You will receive an email notification when the decision on your Pitch application is complete. The email will contain instructions to log back into the application portal (AMP) in order to view the application status.
A Project Narrative template can be found on the relevant opportunity page on this Application Hub. The template contains instructions and outlines all required sections of the Project Narrative. No sample narrative is available; however, OTC provides resources on how to write a compelling Project Narrative (link here to OTC site).
12 pages, with minimum 12-point font. Any pages beyond the 12 page limit will not be read by reviewers or considered during the merit review process.
A Commercialization Plan template and associated guidance can be found here.
The Phase I Commercialization Plan should be no more than 4 pages. The Phase II Commercialization Plan should be no more than 10 pages.
The Work Plan is an outline of the key tasks and milestones you hope to accomplish over the course of your award. The Milestone Driven Roadmap is a longer term plan for your small business beyond the immediate award phase. The Work Plan should be a table submitted in the provided format in the Project Narrative Template to show the key tasks and milestones of your project, along with a proposed timeline for funding. The milestone Driven Roadmap is part of your submission for the Commercialization Plan. Note that all projects will have a specific number of business and commercialization Milestones on which they will invoice.
Although it is not required, DOE strongly recommends that applicants use the SciENcv format approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to produce a OOE-compliant PDF version of a biographical sketch (biosketch) for each covered individual. The SciENcv format can be generated on Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv). However, any format that contains the required information is acceptable, and a blank template is also available for download here.
- As the Pl and other project team members may have lengthy resumes and/or CVs, please only include the most relevant information to the proposed project.
- While the biosketch template accommodates academic positions and appointments, at first glance it may not seem obvious of how to best utilize this form for private sector experience. Applicants should include all positions including those in the private sector, other research projects (whether or not they were federally funded), websites, or any initiatives undertaken in their field that are relevant to the current application or an aspect of the current application.
Instructions for First-Time SciENcv Users:
- Navigate to SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae)
- To log in, click More Options, Login.gov, then sign in.
- From the dashboard, click Manage SciENcv, then click Create New Document.
- Select DOE Biographical Sketch.
- From there, it’s an easy web interface to add education and work history.
- When ready, click Download PDF, which will prompt the user to certify their responses, then the document will download and can be added to the application.
- Sample Biosketches are available for download for both academia and the private sector here.
Biosketches and Current and Pending Support documents must be provided for the covered individuals in the full grant application.
Documentation for team members must be consolidated into a single PDF for upload.
Every covered individual at the prime applicant and subrecipient levels must submit a Current and Pending Support (CPS) Common Form. Use SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae) to produce a DOE compliant PDF version of the CPS Common Form. Note that there is no page limitation for the CPS Common Form, though some fields in SciENcv have character limitations for consistency.
All funding should be included. Each current and pending support form should list all sponsored activities, awards, and appointments, whether paid or unpaid; provided as a gift with terms or conditions or provided as a gift without terms or conditions; full-time, part-time, or voluntary; faculty, visiting, adjunct, or honorary; cash or in-kind; foreign or domestic; governmental or private-sector; directly supporting the individual’s research or indirectly supporting the individual by supporting students, research staff, space, equipment, or other research expenses. All connections with malign foreign talent recruitment programs must be identified in current and pending support.
Current and Pending Support must be provided for the PI and all persons included as covered individuals in the full grant application.
DOE strongly recommends that applicants use the SciENcv format approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The SciENcv format can be generated on Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv). Documentation for team members must be consolidated into a single PDF for upload.
All SBIR and STTR applicants must select one of two options for their Data Management Plan (DMP):
- None of the data will be publicly disseminated
- Some of the data will be disseminated publicly
If choosing Option 1, It is anticipated that all generated digital data will be protected as SBIR/STTR data and therefore will not be publicly shared during the applicable SBIR/STTR data protection period. If any data generated under this award are published, an effort will be made to also release any related digital data that is not protected SBIR/STTR data.
If choosing Option 2 where some of the data will be disseminated publicly, a data management plan will be required as part of the first milestone if awarded. Please see this resource on Data Management Plan Basics for additional information.
In determining which data should be shared and preserved, researchers must consider the data needed to validate research findings, or how results could be validated if data are not shared. Researchers are also encouraged to consider the potential benefits of their data to their own fields of research, fields other than their own, and society at large.
What types of funding commitments should be pursued/included in the project application if obtained?
The application has opportunities to upload two types of Letters of Funding Commitments:
- Funding commitments for the proposed Phase II project
- Follow-on funding commitments for Phase III that are exercisable by the applicant provided specified technical objectives are successfully met
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit commitments from the private sector or from non-SBIR/STTR funding sources. Letters of Commitment should be printed on official letterhead, signed by authorized representatives, and provided with the application materials. The letter must provide details of the funds or resources committed to the project, and briefly address how the funds and/or resources will benefit the project. For instance, if the funds are designated for commercialization efforts the letter should briefly address those efforts and provide a reasonable estimate of how the funds will be allocated. If the letter of commitment concerns resources to be provided, the resources should be briefly described and the manner in which they will benefit the project. Please see an example here.
Applicants are encouraged to submit commitments from the private sector or from non-SBIR/STTR funding sources for Phase III follow-on funding. The commitment must indicate when the funds will be made available, and contain specific technical objectives which, if achieved in Phase II, will make the commitment exercisable by the applicant. If the commitment is firm regardless of technical objectives achieved, it should state so. The commitment may include:
- third party financing;
- self-financing (in which case the proposing SBC must demonstrate the ability to provide the Phase III funding);
- state or local government financing; or
- Federal funding. In-kind contributions are allowed; however, the applicant or donor must estimate the dollar value of any in-kind contributions.
A third SBIR Phase II award (previously referred to as a Phase IIC) is available to small businesses that have already received a DOE SBIR Phase II award and a second DOE SBIR Phase II award (Phase IIA or IIB). This award, which emphasizes commercialization, requires matching funds from a third-party investor. The matching funds for these awards must be equal to the award amount. Additional key provisions of this third-party match requirement:
- The matching funds must be from an eligible third-party investor. The term ‘eligible third‐party investor’ means a small business concern other than the eligible entity, a venture capital firm, an individual investor, a non‐SBIR Federal, State or local government, or any combination thereof.
- Please note that SBIR/STTR Phase I, II, or III funding from a federal agency may not be used as matching funds.
First and second Phase II awards do not require matching funds, but applicants are welcome to upload letters of commitment from third-party investors to strengthen their application.
It is recommended that the Letter of Support (LoS) be on official letterhead from an authorized representative of the institution committed its stated support. The LoS should include name and address of institution, specifics of the support, and certifying official’s name, phone number and email address.
Sample Letters of Support can be found here.
No, they are not required but encouraged.
All SBIR and STTR applicants must disclose their foreign relationships as required by the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. The required form that must be used to disclose these relationships is available here. Instructions are included on the form. Please note that even if you do not have any foreign relationships, you must complete this form to certify that such relationships do not exist. Failure to include this form may result in declination of your application without review at DOE’s discretion.
The foreign relationships disclosure form must be submitted with the application. Failure to include this form may result in declination of your application without review at DOE’S discretion.
Many SBIR and STTR awardees have foreign relations and the existence of foreign relationships that are not malign is acceptable to the due diligence process. Disclosure of foreign relationships required by this form does not mean your application will be denied.
Applicants should not request more funding for their R&D effort than the maximum Phase I award amount of $250,000, or $2,000,000 for Phase II. Note that TABA is in addition to the award maximum limit. As an example, for an opportunity allowing a maximum R&D budget of $250,000, the Phase I awardee could receive a budget of $256,500, where $6,500 is the maximum TABA services budget.
No. All funds are awarded to the small business. Laboratories and all other subcontractors and consultants are paid by the small business.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is dedicated to the successful commercialization of SBIR and STTR-funded technologies. In pursuit of this goal, the DOE funds discretionary Technical and Business Assistance Services (TABA), limited to specific commercialization services, to all DOE SBIR and STTR Phase I and Phase II awardees.
For more information about TABA please see: Commercialization Resources | Department of Energy
You may receive services in the following areas related to a SBIR or STTR Phase I or Phase II award:
- making better technical decisions;
- solving technical problems;
- minimizing technical risks;
- developing and commercializing new commercial products and processes, including intellectual property protections;
- screening for potential foreign involvement in technology development or commercialization activities.
TABA services can only be performed during the period of performance, so it is important to consider this when selecting your period of performance.
Yes, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act of 2026 allows awardees to use the TABA funding internally for the following specific activities: (1) hire new staff, (2) augment staff, or (3) direct staff to conduct or participate in training activities consistent with allowable TABA activities.
No. DOE does not have a TABA vendor at this time.
No, the application asks whether the applicant is requesting TABA and whether they will use a vendor or the TABA services will be performed internally.
Yes, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act of 2026 allows awardees to use the TABA funding internally for the following specific activities: (1) hire new staff, (2) augment staff, or (3) direct staff to conduct or participate in training activities consistent with allowable TABA activities.
These guidelines can be found in the Project Narrative Template.
Anything that can be licensed could be fair game for IP, including software and AI Artifacts.
Information contained in unsuccessful proposals will remain the property of the Applicant. The Federal Government may retain copies of all proposals. If proprietary information is provided by an Applicant in a proposal, which constitutes a trade secret, commercial or financial information, it will be treated in confidence, to the extent permitted by law, provided that the proposal is clearly marked by the Applicant as directed in the application guidance (i.e., Project Narrative template).
A small business retains ownership of all SBIR/STTR Data it develops or generates in the performance of an SBIR/STTR award. These rights of the small business remain in effect during the SBIR/STTR Protection Period, currently 20 years. The current 20-year protection period is renewed upon receipt of a subsequent SBIR/STTR award, including Phase II, II.2, Strategic Breakthrough and Phase III awards. After the protection period, the Federal Government may use, and authorize others to use on its behalf, for Government Purposes, SBIR/STTR Data that was protected during the SBIR/STTR Protection Period.
March-in rights are rights granted to the Federal Government through a provision in the Bayh-Dole act of 1980. They permit the government to reassign licensing for patents derived from federally supported research if the patent holder fails to commercialize the invention, if public health or safety needs require it, or if licensing terms are unreasonable. Since Bayh-Dole Act was passed, no federal agency has exercised march-in rights.
Details about the review process and selection criteria can be found on each SBIR/STTR Opportunity Page.
Yes. Historically we fund many software projects.
- Please ensure that you have read the topic description very carefully and reviewed any articles or papers that are linked from the Opportunity Page to gain important insights that may be contained in those documents.
- DOE does not provide recommendations on whether you should or should not apply—that decision resides with the small business.
- The pitch application is the opportunity to pitch your idea to DOE without having to prepare a lengthy application. If DOE is interested in your pitch, you will be invited to submit a full application.
Applicants must indicate in both the pitch application and the full application the extent to which, if any, generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology was used and how it was used to develop their application or proposal. Note that all submissions to the Department are subject to information and disclosure statutes and regulations, including the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and 10 CFR § 1004.11. Applicants are responsible for the accuracy, authenticity, and authorship representations of their proposal submission under consideration for merit review, including content developed with the assistance of generative AI tools. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that they are fully capable of performing the work described in the application and that the submission of the application does not and will not infringe or violate any rights of any third party or entity.
Applicants should be aware that the use of generative AI may introduce significant risks, including, but not limited to, research misconduct resulting from fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism when proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Federal regulations governing procedures for handling of research misconduct allegations concerning research supported by DOE grants, cooperative agreements, and management and operations (M&O) contracts, are specified in 10 § CFR 733.
Questions of a technical nature: Topic questions should be submitted to ConnectWerx, who will route them to the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) and coordinate with the relevant topic manager(s). Please note that DOE can only answer questions about the scope of the topic and whether your innovation appears to fall within the scope of the topic. They do not provide recommendations on whether you should or should not apply—that decision resides with the small business. Office hours where applicants can ask questions directly to topic managers will be hosted by ConnectWerx under each opportunity. Upcoming office hours will be published here.
Questions about the application process: For all application process questions, including questions around the AMP system, please contact ConnectWerx at [email protected].
