About this programme
The U.S. Department of Energy's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are competitive, non-dilutive federal funding programs for American small businesses developing innovative technologies with strong commercial potential. Both are congressionally authorized set-asides of federal research funding: a share of DOE's extramural R&D budget is reserved by law for small businesses that meet Small Business Administration (SBA) eligibility requirements.
SBIR was established in 1982 and is open to any qualifying small business working on its own technology. STTR was established in 1992 and requires the small business to formally partner with a research institution (a university, federally funded R&D center, or nonprofit research organization) on the funded work. Both are run out of DOE's Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC).
The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, signed April 13, 2026, extended the SBIR/STTR programs through Fiscal Year 2031, so the programs are in an active, funded period rather than nearing expiry.
DOE funds a broad range of technology areas through SBIR/STTR, including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, quantum science, semiconductors, and other energy-relevant innovation, organized under rotating annual topic areas.
How it works
The program runs through three phases, with a single application entry point at the start: Phase I establishes technical feasibility of the proposed technology; Phase II further develops and prototypes the technology; Phase III pursues commercialization and follow-on funding or contracts.
Advancement from one phase to the next is not a fresh competitive application — it happens through Go/No-Go decision points based on the awardee meeting the milestones and performance criteria set for their project.
For FY26, DOE opened the Phase I "Genesis Mission" solicitation (announced July 22, 2026) with $10 million supporting about 40 awards across four topic areas: biotechnology, quantum systems, materials design, and AI-driven laboratories. A broader Phase I opportunity covering additional topic areas is expected in fall 2026.
For FY25, DOE opened a Phase II solicitation (also opened July 22, 2026) with roughly $147 million in available funding, open to businesses that hold a qualifying prior-year Phase I (or equivalent) award.
Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes the effort performed in a business's Phase I or Phase II project. DOE's own guidance notes Phase III awards are fundamentally different from Phase I/II awards, with distinct statutory and policy provisions — read DOE's Phase III guidance page directly before relying on any Phase III mechanic.
Who can apply
Applicants must be for-profit U.S. small businesses that meet SBA's SBIR/STTR eligibility requirements. Proof of SBA registration must be submitted with the application.
SBIR applicants can propose and perform the funded research within their own company. STTR applicants must partner with a research institution (university, FFRDC, or nonprofit research lab) that performs a defined share of the work under the award — that partnership is a structural requirement of STTR, not an option.
For Phase II, eligibility generally depends on holding a qualifying prior-year Phase I (or equivalent) DOE SBIR/STTR award; DOE's FY25 Phase II solicitation was scoped to businesses in that position.
DOE's page emphasizes that the project team a small business assembles matters to the review — the team should be able to show it has the expertise and capability to execute the proposed technical work.
How to apply
- Register with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This is mandatory — an application cannot be submitted without a UEI — and DOE flags this step can take up to 8 weeks, so it should be started well ahead of any deadline.
- Register with the SBA Company Registry (app.www.sbir.gov/company-registration/overview). This depends on already having a UEI from SAM.gov, but DOE describes it as quick once that UEI exists.
- Register on the DOE SBIR/STTR Application Hub, hosted on the ConnectWerx platform (sbir-sttr.connectwerx.org) — this is where pitches and applications are ultimately submitted and program updates are received.
- Submit a pitch through the Application Hub — DOE describes this as an 'elevator pitch' for why DOE should be excited about the proposed technology. Applicants may submit up to three pitches.
- If DOE extends an invitation based on a submitted pitch, complete the full Phase I application using the same Application Hub account.
- If a Phase I award is made and its milestones are met, progression to Phase II (and, later, Phase III) follows DOE's Go/No-Go process rather than a fresh open competition — see How It Works.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov — required on the application; the application cannot be submitted without it.
- Proof of SBA Company Registry registration.
- Elevator-pitch submission (up to three per applicant) through the DOE SBIR/STTR Application Hub.
- Full technical and business application, submitted through the Application Hub after a pitch invitation.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between DOE SBIR and STTR?
SBIR funds a small business to perform the research itself. STTR requires the small business to formally partner with a research institution — a university, federally funded R&D center, or nonprofit research lab — which performs a defined portion of the funded work. Both are administered together by DOE's Office of Technology Commercialization.
Do I apply separately for each phase?
No. DOE describes a single application entry point: you apply and, if funded, progress from Phase I to Phase II to Phase III through Go/No-Go decisions tied to your project milestones, not through separate open competitions for each phase.
How long does registration take before I can apply?
Plan for SAM.gov registration to take up to 8 weeks — it is the long pole, since it produces the UEI every other registration depends on. DOE describes the SBA Company Registry and Application Hub registrations that follow as quick by comparison, once the UEI exists.
Is DOE SBIR/STTR funding a grant or a loan?
It is non-dilutive funding — DOE describes the programs as non-dilutive, meaning awardees keep their equity and do not repay the award as a loan. Award mechanism specifics for a given solicitation are set out in that solicitation's own guidance on energy.gov.
What technology areas does DOE SBIR/STTR fund?
DOE funds a broad set of areas across its annual topics, including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, quantum science, semiconductors, and other energy-relevant technology. The FY26 Genesis Mission Phase I solicitation specifically covers biotechnology, quantum systems, materials design, and AI-driven laboratories.
Is the program still open, given SBIR/STTR reauthorization was in the news?
Yes. The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, signed April 13, 2026, extended DOE's SBIR/STTR programs through Fiscal Year 2031. DOE opened both a Phase I (Genesis Mission) and a Phase II solicitation on July 22, 2026.
What is Phase III and is it a new application?
Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes what was funded in your Phase I or Phase II award, and DOE treats it as governed by different statutory and policy provisions than Phase I/II. DOE's Phase III guidance page and workshop materials are the source to read before assuming any specific Phase III mechanic (such as sole-source contracting) applies to your case.
Reviewed 2026-08-17. 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.