For students aiming to study in United States, SBIR/STTR Grant Program (Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer) is a fully funded scholarship from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and 11 Participating Federal Agencies. The award covers Provides non-dilutive funding for high-risk R&D, covering all project-related costs including personnel salaries, materials, and a small fee for profit. and is open to post-graduate, ph.d., professional, entrepreneurial students studying stem, healthcare, defense, energy, space, agriculture, environment. The scholarship runs for phase i: 6-12 months; phase ii: 24 months and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on small Business Concerns (SBCs) that are at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. STTR requires a formal partnership with a research institution. The application deadline is Varies by agency (NIH: Jan 5, Apr 5, Sept 5; NSF: Continuous/Pitch-based), with an acceptance rate of approximately Check official website. Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.
✨ Should I Apply for SBIR/STTR Grant Program (Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
15% for Phase I; 45% for Phase II
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Phase I: up to $275,000; Phase II: up to $2,000,000+
⏳
Duration
Phase I: 6-12 months; Phase II: 24 months
📅
Deadline
Varies by agency (NIH: Jan 5, Apr 5, Sept 5; NSF: Continuous/Pitch-based)
Approximately 5,000 awards per year across all agencies
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and 11 Participating Federal Agencies
📊
Acceptance
Check official website
The SBIR/STTR programs provide federal funding to small businesses to conduct R&D with the goal of commercializing innovative technologies that meet specific government needs.
👥 Who Should Apply
Small Business Concerns (SBCs) that are at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. STTR requires a formal partnership with a research institution.
🏛️ Host University
Varies (Partnerships often include major US Research Universities)
Provides non-dilutive funding for high-risk R&D, covering all project-related costs including personnel salaries, materials, and a small fee for profit.
🎯 Target Students
Graduate Students, Post-docs, Faculty Innovators, and Entrepreneurs
Varies (Estimated 25,000+ total across all agencies)
Applicants Last Year
Approximately 5,200
Winners
Check official website
Acceptance Rate
15% for Phase I; 45% for Phase II
Competition Level
Win Probability
50%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
No
Living Stipend
Yes (via salary allocation in the grant budget)
Total Award
Phase I: up to $275,000; Phase II: up to $2,000,000+
✈️ Travel: Yes (specifically for research and conference dissemination)🏠 Accommodation: No💊 Health Insurance: Yes (via fringe benefit allocation in the budget)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: $0
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (via salary allocation in the grant budget)
🏡 Accommodation
No
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (specifically for research and conference dissemination)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (via fringe benefit allocation in the budget)
🎁 Other Benefits
Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding, access to federal labs, and IP protection support.
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Contingent on successful completion of Phase I and approval of a Phase II proposal.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be a for-profit U.S. small business (under 500 employees); PI must be primarily employed by the SBC (for SBIR).
Small Business Concerns (SBCs) that are at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. STTR requires a formal partnership with a research institution.
This scholarship covers: Provides non-dilutive funding for high-risk R&D, covering all project-related costs including personnel salaries, materials, and a small fee for profit.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Varies by agency (NIH: Jan 5, Apr 5, Sept 5; NSF: Continuous/Pitch-based). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: 15% for Phase I; 45% for Phase II. Acceptance rate: Check official website. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Professional proficiency in English for technical proposal writing, Yes (Letters of support from potential customers or investors) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.