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- Phase I explores the feasibility of innovative concepted with awards up toXYZand 12 months
- Phase II is the principal R&D effort, with awards up toXYZand 2 years
- Phase III offers opportunities to small businesses to continue their Phase I and II R&D work to pursue commercial applications of their R&D with non-SBIR/STTR funding. Under Phase III, Federal agencies may award non-competitive, follow-on grants or contracts for products or processes that meet the mission needs of those agencies, or for further R&D.
Is the SBIR or STTR Program right for my company?
Before putting the time and effort into applying for an SBIR or STTR grant, it is important to determine whether or not your company is eligible. First and foremost, under the SBIR/STTR Programs the applicant company must be a small, for-profit business, with 500 or fewer employees. The applicant company must also be primarily U.S.-owned, meaning at least 51% of its ownership is by U.S. citizens and/or permanent resident aliens. Small businesses that are majority-owned by venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are not eligible for DOE SBIR/STTR awards.
The SBIR and STTR Programs encourage participation by small businesses that are minority- and/or woman-owned. However, there are no quotas set aside for such firms. For information on SBIR/STTR initiatives and program assistance related to minority and/or underrepresented groups, please visit the Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Scientific Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.