USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II

OPPORTUNITY:

This RFA is being released prior to the passage of appropriation acts for FY 2024 and FY 2025. The enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect this program’s availability or level of funding.   This notice identifies the objectives for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, application forms and associated instructions, and review requirements.

DESCRIPTION:

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial potential and/or societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in creating innovative and/or disruptive technologies and enable the application of research advancements from conception into the market. The STTR program aims to foster technology transfer between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions through formal cooperative research and development (R&D).  Unlike most other investors, the USDA SBIR/STTR programs fund early or “seed” stage research and development with commercial potential. The programs provide equity-free funding and entrepreneurial support at the earliest stages of company and technology development.

NIFA requests applications for the Phase II SBIR/STTR program from previous SBIR/STTR program Phase I awardees.

The USDA SBIR/STTR programs currently have no specific procurement focus, and consequently, USDA offers ten solicitation topic areas that are intended to permit a broad spectrum of eligible and innovative science- and technology-based small businesses to compete for funding. The topics are detailed within this solicitation. These ten solicitation topic areas provide an opportunity to pursue the following USDA priorities:

1. Addressing climate change via climate-smart agriculture and forestry
2. Advancing racial justice, equity, and opportunity
3. Creating more and better market opportunities
4. Tackling food and nutrition insecurity

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

Small businesses

COST SHARING/MATCHING FUNDS:

The SBIR/STTR programs have NO matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

FUNDING AVAILABLE AND PRE-APPLICATION WINDOW:

ANTICIPATED FUNDING AVAILABLE:

FY 2024: $19,500,000 for SBIR and $2,600,000 for STTR

FY 2025: $19,500,000 for SBIR and $3,250,000 for STTR

AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL AWARD RANGE: $600,000 – $650,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE: – FY 2024 March 26, 2024; FY 2025 -March 25, 2025 (Anticipated)