SBIR/STTR - America's Seed Fund - Powered by SBA

America's Seed Fund

Powered by the Small Business Administration

Federal innovation, scientific achievement, and diverse entrepreneurship through small business innovation and research. Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop your technology and chart a path toward commercialization. The federal government invests in your solution and gives you the freedom to run your business according to your vision.

Learn More

Keep your equity and IP.

Change the World.

  • 4,000

    Average number of companies funded per year

  • $4 Billion

    Funds invested each year

  • 0%

    Equity or IP ownership taken by the government

How It Works

Participating in America's Seed Fund happens in three phases.

  1. I. Proof of Concept
    6-12 months
    $50,000 - $275,000
  2. II. Technology Development
    24 months
    $750,000 - $1.8 million
  3. III. Commercialization
    Take your product to the commercial market or sell in the multi-billion dollar federal contracting marketplace

How To Apply

Do you have an idea for a specific scientific or technology solution? Explore opportunities for funding to take your idea from concept to commercialization.

Identify Opportunities

With help from organizations that support technology entrepreneurs like you

Apply

With the help of supporting organizations

Develop Your Idea

America's Seed Fund provides funding with the freedom to manage your business your way.

Success Stories

Using Technology to Protect the Environment

GreenTechnologies, LLC, a small business based in Gainesville, Florida, was awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish its innovative nutrient recycling process and phosphorus adsorption technology, which improves water treatment processes without adding hazardous chemicals to the water source.

Woman-Owned Business Designs Games that Empower Youth

Laverne Morrow Carter says SBIR funding gave the company credibility, validation, and critical reviewer feedback that further improved their research plan. But she says the biggest benefit came out of her participation in the NIH Commercialization Acceleration Program, where she received one-on-one mentorship from an experienced entrepreneur who suggested she turn the LYFE Virtually platform into a product.

Small Businesses. Huge Impact.

Our mission is to foster a culture of innovation in the United States by providing technology-focused entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with funding to develop their ideas and a pathway to commercialization.

  • Empowering Startups

    Graph with text: 46% first time winners
  • Helping American Businesses Succeed

    Awards given in all 50 states and U.S. Territories

    In 2021, nearly 7,000 awards have been given to more than 4,000 recipients

  • Job Growth Where It Counts

    65,578 jobs added to the United States economy per year.

Learn more about the SBIR/STTR process

Watch our video tutorials →

Breaking down barriers by increasing access to funding

The SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact.

We foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by all people, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and entrepreneurs located in all 50 states and U.S. territories.