SBIR Grants from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
Agency overview
NASA SBIR funds innovation aligned with the agency's space exploration, aeronautics, and science missions. Topics span propulsion, avionics, life support, remote sensing, materials for extreme environments, and software for mission operations. NASA is a strong Phase 3 path: SBIR awardees routinely graduate into NASA prime contracts, subcontracts to prime aerospace companies, or commercial space ventures. NASA runs two SBIR solicitations per year.
Award details
Phase 1 — Feasibility
Typical Award Amount
$150,000
Duration
6 months
Phase 1 establishes the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed R&D. The deliverable is a feasibility report and prototype demonstration where applicable.
Phase 2 — Full R&D
Typical Award Amount
$750,000
Duration
24 months
Phase 2 funds the primary R&D effort to develop the technology to a commercializable or deployable state. Only Phase 1 awardees (or those who meet equivalent requirements) may apply.
Research topic areas
National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR solicitations consistently address the following research areas. Specific topics vary by solicitation — check the current open solicitation for exact topic descriptions and technical points of contact.
Solicitation cycle
2 per year — typically open in February and August
Solicitation windows open and close on a defined schedule. Applications submitted after the close date are not accepted. Set a calendar reminder at least 6 weeks before the close date — a well-written SBIR application typically takes 60–90 hours of preparation for a first-time applicant.
View current solicitations on NASA’s official portalHow to apply for NASA SBIR funding
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Your company must be a for-profit U.S. small business with fewer than 500 employees. The principal investigator must spend at least 51% of their time on the project. More than 50% of the company must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- 2
Register in SAM.gov
All SBIR applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration. Registration can take 1–3 weeks. Apply early — the government cannot issue payment on an SBIR award without an active SAM.gov registration.
- 3
Review open NASA solicitations
Visit https://sbir.nasa.gov/ to see currently open solicitations. Read topic descriptions carefully — each topic has a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) you can contact with technical questions before submitting.
- 4
Contact the TPOC
Each topic lists a Technical Point of Contact. Email them with a 2-3 sentence summary of your approach before writing your full proposal. TPOCs can tell you whether your company's approach aligns with what the agency is looking for — this step alone doubles your success rate.
- 5
Submit through SBIR.gov or the agency portal
NASA SBIR applications are submitted through the agency's designated portal. Most DoD applications go through SBIR.gov. NIH uses ASSIST (grants.nih.gov). NSF uses Research.gov. Check the solicitation for the correct submission system.
Frequently asked questions about NASA SBIR
NASA Phase 3 transitions happen when a NASA program office incorporates SBIR-derived technology into a mission. Awardees can also transition through commercial licensing or as a supplier to prime contractors like Lockheed Martin or Boeing who are building NASA-funded systems.
NASA SBIR requires that the proposed technology address at least one NASA mission directorate need. Purely commercial ventures without a NASA application are not eligible. However, many dual-use technologies with a commercial space component do qualify.
Common NAICS codes for NASA SBIR applicants include 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing), and 517410 (Satellite Telecommunications).
Yes. Many NASA SBIR topics are in software, materials science, and sensors where the core expertise is not aerospace-specific. NASA values technical innovation and commercial viability — aerospace pedigree helps but is not required.
This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team’s summary of publicly available SBIR program information. Award amounts and solicitation cycles are subject to change. Always verify current program details at SBIR.gov and the agency’s official SBIR portal. BidStride does not provide grant writing services or legal advice.