NSF deploys $250 million to restart Small Business Innovation Research & Small Business Tech Transfer programs, including a new $40 million pilot emphasis on next-generation scientific instrumentation | NSF
https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-deploys-250-million-restart-small-business-innovation
Publish Date: 2026-05-26 15:00:00
Source Domain: www.nsf.gov
The U.S. National Science Foundation today relaunched its Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer programs with $250 million for the nation’s startups and small businesses, including an announcement of a new $40 million pilot emphasis area targeting the next generation of scientific instrumentation. The instrumentation initiative will invest in technologies that open entirely new fields of discovery, including novel experimental platforms and advanced scientific equipment.
The NSF SBIR/STTR programs provide non-dilutive funding for startups to develop deep technologies into commercially viable products and services with significant economic and security impacts. The program focuses on companies in the earliest stage of development; most are newly emerging from federally funded research including academic and federal labs. These “deep-tech” ventures lead scientific and engineering breakthroughs that translate into new generations of products and services that are commercialized into enduring businesses. Funding opportunities available through the NSF SBIR/STTR programs include Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track, Supplements and Strategic Breakthroughs.
In addition, NSF is separately launching a new emphasis area focused on enabling technologies that include next-generation instrumentation, novel experimental platforms, and other scientific equipment. The new SBIR/STTR scientific instrument emphasis will prioritize investing in the necessary infrastructure to support entirely new fields of scientific discovery, making new technological breakthroughs and transformative applications possible.
“Scientific breakthroughs cannot have transformative impacts without the tools to further develop and pursue them,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. “NSF looks forward to building on a proven track record through its SBIR/STTR programs. In addition, we are excited to initiate a new…
