About this programme
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was created by the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 and reauthorized in 2011. It is one of the largest public-private partnerships in the United States, requiring federal agencies with large extramural R&D budgets to set aside a portion of that funding for competitive awards to small businesses. The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) initiated its own SBIR program in 2004.
DHS S&T administers the program on behalf of the full range of DHS operational components, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, FEMA, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, and first-responder organizations. Solicitation topics are written by Program Managers inside S&T's technical divisions -- Borders and Maritime Security, Chemical/Biological Defense, Cybersecurity, Explosives, and the First Responder Group -- and are aimed at closing specific capability gaps those components have identified.
The program funds small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) to research, develop and eventually commercialize technology in support of homeland security missions, moving a company from an early feasibility study (Phase I) through prototype development (Phase II) to a fielded, commercially or operationally deployed product (Phase III). DHS also runs an Other Agency Technology Solutions (OATS) track that lets it adopt SBIR technologies already funded to Phase II by other federal agencies, so a company does not always need to start at DHS's own Phase I.
How it works
Phase 0 is outreach, not funding: DHS S&T and its contracted partner run webinars, one-on-ones and industry days to walk new and returning applicants through eligibility, IP protection and budgeting before a solicitation opens.
Phase I typically funds up to $175,000 to determine the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of the proposed idea. DHS's two official pages give slightly different timelines for when Phase I awards land after selection -- one states about 45 days, the other about 90 days -- so treat the exact turnaround as approximate and confirm it against the specific solicitation.
Phase II typically funds $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 over 24-36 months to continue the R&D from a completed Phase I project toward a prototype demonstration. Only companies that held the corresponding Phase I award are eligible to apply for Phase II; DHS tries to minimize the gap between the two and sends Phase II reminders to Phase I awardees near the end of their period of performance. DHS S&T also runs a Cost Match feature for Phase II projects that attract matching cash from an outside investor, intended to prioritize funding toward projects most likely to reach a product DHS or others will actually buy.
Phase III has no DHS SBIR funding attached -- it is funded from private capital or another non-SBIR government source for commercialization, continued development or testing of technology built under a prior SBIR award. There is no cap on the number, duration or dollar value of Phase III work, and no time limit on how long after a Phase I or II award a Phase III effort can start.
Who can apply
Applicants must qualify as a Small Business Concern (SBC) under SBA's SBIR regulations at the time of award, generally meaning fewer than 500 employees, and must certify that status with the application.
A minimum share of the research must be performed by the awardee itself: at least two-thirds of the effort in Phase I and at least half in Phase II. Deviations need written approval from the funding agreement officer after consultation with the DHS SBIR Program Manager.
The project's principal investigator must be primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and throughout the project -- full-time employment elsewhere is disqualifying for that role.
The research and development work itself must be performed in the United States; work outside the U.S. is only permitted in unique circumstances with the funding agreement officer's approval.
Companies majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms can be eligible but must separately register in SBA's Company Registry Database at SBIR.gov and submit that registration with the application.
How to apply
- Find the current opportunity on SAM.gov by searching "DHS SBIR" -- listings appear first as a pre-solicitation and later as the full solicitation.
- In the DHS SBIR Portal (oip.dhs.gov/sbir/public), go to Solicitations > Current Solicitation, select the matching solicitation number, and review the list of topic opportunities to pick the one your technology fits.
- Create an account (or log in) in the DHS SBIR Submissions Portal. New-user registration needs your company's TIN, UEI/DUNS number, and point-of-contact details.
- From your Portal dashboard, open the SBIR tab and select New Proposal.
- Complete the applicable proposal sections: Phase I needs a Cover Sheet, Proposal Uploads, Briefing Chart and Cost Proposal; Phase II needs those same sections plus a Commercialization Plan.
- Register in SBA's Company Registry Database at SBIR.gov and attach the registration PDF to the application, along with any required size/ownership certification.
- Submit and confirm every section shows "Complete" before the deadline. Submitted proposals go to a review panel of government technical experts from DHS S&T and other federal agencies, and applicants are notified of selection or non-selection once that review finishes.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Cover Sheet
- Proposal Uploads (technical proposal)
- Briefing Chart
- Cost Proposal
- Commercialization Plan (Phase II only -- covers company information, customer and competition, market, intellectual property, financing, and assistance/mentoring)
- SBA Company Registry Database registration (PDF, submitted with every application)
- SBC size/ownership certification (and a separate VC/hedge-fund/PE-ownership certification where applicable)
Frequently asked
What does DHS SBIR actually fund?
Phase I funds up to $175,000 to test the feasibility of a proposed idea. Phase II funds $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 over 24-36 months to build that idea toward a working prototype. Phase III has no DHS SBIR money attached -- it relies on private capital or another government source to commercialize what came out of Phase I/II.
Can I apply directly for Phase II without a Phase I award?
No. DHS's own SBIR page states plainly that only SBIR Phase I awardees are eligible to participate in subsequent phases, so a Phase II application has to follow a completed Phase I award from DHS.
Does the small business have to do the R&D work itself?
Yes, in large part. DHS requires the awardee to perform at least two-thirds of the research effort in Phase I and at least half in Phase II, and that work has to happen in the United States except in unique, separately approved circumstances.
Is DHS SBIR currently open for applications?
That changes with each annual cycle -- DHS runs pre-solicitation and full-solicitation windows rather than a year-round open call. Check the current status on the DHS SBIR Portal (oip.dhs.gov/sbir/public) or search "DHS SBIR" on SAM.gov before assuming a window is open.
What if my company is owned by a venture capital or private equity firm?
You can still be eligible, but if the company is majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms, DHS requires a separate registration in SBA's Company Registry Database at SBIR.gov plus a certification submitted with the application.
What documents does a Phase I proposal need?
A Cover Sheet, the technical proposal uploads, a Briefing Chart and a Cost Proposal, submitted through the DHS SBIR Submissions Portal. Phase II adds a Commercialization Plan covering company information, market, competition, IP, financing and mentoring.
Where do I find the actual solicitation and its deadline?
DHS does not publish a fixed annual deadline on its program page -- solicitations are posted and searched for directly on SAM.gov (search "DHS SBIR"), and the DHS SBIR Portal mirrors the current solicitation once it is live. Deadlines are set per solicitation, not by the program page.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.