About this programme
The Education Department's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program funds research, development, and evaluation of prototype education technology products — things like games, VR/AR, AI tutors, and assistive technologies meant for classroom use. It is run by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES); the program's listed contacts sit within IES's National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).
SBIR itself was established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 as a set-aside of federal R&D funding for small businesses. ED/IES has administered its own SBIR program since 2002, and to date has made 258 Phase I awards and 99 Phase II awards (including one Direct to Phase II award).
The program's emphasis is on rigorous, relevant research: awardees are expected to run iterative studies with real end-users (students and teachers), conduct pilot studies, and — where the work supports it — publish in refereed journals, alongside building toward private-sector commercialization. IES notes that technologies developed through the program reach over one million students and teachers annually.
For the FY2026 cycle, IES released three separate solicitations covering three distinct funding tracks — Phase IA, Phase IB, and Direct to Phase II — each with its own solicitation number and requirements.
How it works
Phase IA ($250,000, 9 months, solicitation #91990026R0003) funds entirely new education technology with no or limited previous technological development — a from-scratch prototype.
Phase IB ($250,000, 9 months, solicitation #91990026R0004) funds new components added to an existing, already research-based education technology product, rather than a from-scratch build.
Direct to Phase II ($1,000,000, 2 years, solicitation #91990026R0005) is for scaling an existing evidence-based innovation that was originally developed by a university or nonprofit. IES is explicit that projects advancing innovations that are not already evidence-based are not eligible for this track.
Standard Phase II (following on from a Phase I award) runs for 2 years at $1,000,000, for full-scale development and evaluation building on a completed Phase I prototype.
Solicitations release annually, with proposals typically due about 60 days after release; IES states award notifications come within roughly 90 days of the submission deadline, with funded projects starting shortly after.
Who can apply
Applicants must be a registered for-profit small business firm meeting SBA's SBIR eligibility criteria.
Applicants must hold a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov — IES notes SAM.gov registration can take several weeks, so it should be started well ahead of the proposal deadline.
An applicant cannot submit identical or substantially similar proposals across more than one of the 2026 IES SBIR solicitations (i.e., no double-submitting the same idea to Phase IA and Phase IB, for example).
Direct to Phase II applicants specifically must be scaling an innovation that is already evidence-based and was originally developed by a university or nonprofit — new, unproven innovations do not qualify for this track.
IES states program staff cannot provide technical assistance on ideas or draft proposals once a solicitation is open, per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules; questions on the open FY2026 solicitations had to be submitted by May 21, 2026.
How to apply
- Register (or confirm existing registration) with SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) — mandatory before a proposal can be submitted, and the step to start earliest given multi-week processing.
- Review the specific solicitation that matches the project — Phase IA (#91990026R0003), Phase IB (#91990026R0004), or Direct to Phase II (#91990026R0005) — since eligibility and scope differ by track.
- Submit any clarifying questions to the program's Contracts Specialist before the questions deadline (May 21, 2026 for the FY2026 cycle).
- Submit the proposal, with the UEI included, by the applicable deadline (June 29, 2026, 11 AM EDT for Phase IA/IB; 2 PM EDT for Direct to Phase II, for the FY2026 cycle).
- If awarded, the project begins shortly after notification, which IES states typically arrives within about 90 days of the submission deadline.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov, included with the proposal submission.
- Full technical proposal responsive to the specific solicitation (Phase IA, Phase IB, or Direct to Phase II) and its stated requirements.
- For Direct to Phase II specifically: evidence documenting that the underlying innovation is already evidence-based and was originally developed by a university or nonprofit.
Frequently asked
Is the ED/IES SBIR program open right now?
The FY2026 solicitations released April 30, 2026 and closed June 29, 2026, so the program is closed for this funding year. IES releases new solicitations annually, so check the official solicitation-information page for the next cycle's dates.
What is the difference between Phase IA and Phase IB?
Phase IA funds entirely new education technology with no or limited prior technological development. Phase IB funds new components added onto an existing, already research-based education technology product. Both are $250,000 over 9 months, but they had separate solicitation numbers and an applicant could not submit the same idea to both.
What is Direct to Phase II and who qualifies?
Direct to Phase II is a $1,000,000, 2-year track for scaling an education technology innovation that is already evidence-based and was originally developed by a university or nonprofit. IES states projects advancing innovations that are not already evidence-based are not eligible for this track — it is not an entry point for new, unproven ideas.
Do I need a Phase I award before applying to Phase II?
Standard Phase II follows on from a completed Phase I award and funds full-scale development and evaluation building on that Phase I prototype. Direct to Phase II is the separate track that does not require a prior IES Phase I award, but instead requires the innovation already be evidence-based and university/nonprofit-originated.
How long does it take to hear back after submitting?
IES states award notifications typically come within about 90 days of the proposal submission deadline, with funded projects starting shortly after notification.
Can program staff help me develop my proposal?
No. IES states that once a solicitation is open, program staff cannot provide technical assistance on ideas or draft proposals, per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules. The only channel is submitting formal questions to the Contracts Specialist before the stated questions deadline.
Who administers the ED/IES SBIR program?
It is administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the U.S. Department of Education; the program's listed contacts sit within IES's National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER). ED/IES has run its own SBIR program since 2002.
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.