Participation Guide - This guide provides an overview of both the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs as implemented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Solicitations - This portion of our site provides detailed information on the program schedule and current solicitations. All of our solicitations are fully searchable and include downloadable versions as well.

Abstract Search - Search our complete archive of project abstracts to get an understanding of what has been funded.

Program Information - We have prepared a large collection of information about the programs, relevant business and technology information.

Assistance - Looking for help? Then this is the area you should consult. This provides points of contact within NASA, the various regional and local business centers that can assist you.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program was established by Congress in 1982 to provide increased opportunities for small businesses to participate in R&D, to increase employment, and to improve U.S. competitiveness. The program's specific objectives are to stimulate U.S. technological innovation, use small businesses to meet federal research and development needs, increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D, and foster and encourage participation by socially disadvantaged businesses. Legislation enacted in 2000 extended and strengthened the SBIR program and increased its emphasis on pursuing commercial applications of SBIR project results.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program awards contracts to small business concerns for cooperative research and development with a non-profit research institution (RI), such as a university. The goal of the Congress in establishing the STTR program is to facilitate the transfer of technology developed by an RI through the entrepreneurship of a small business. The small business and its partnering institution are required to sign an agreement on how intellectual property will be shared between them. Modeled after the SBIR Program with the same basic requirements and phased funding structure described above, STTR is nevertheless a separate activity and is separately funded. It differs from SBIR in several important aspects:

STTR is a smaller program. The funding set-aside is 0.30 % of the extra-mural R&D budget, approximately one-twentieth of the amount for SBIR. The small company must take the research and intellectual property of the research institution and convert it into a useful product. In comparison to SBIR, twice as much time is allowed for performance of the Phase 1. The Phase 2 activity is two years. Also, while the proposal is still submitted by the SBC, at least 30% of the funding and work must originate with the RI, while only a minimum of 40% must come from the SBC. Phase 1 STTR projects receive up to $100,000 in funds for a one-year effort. The maximum contract value for STTR Phase 2 is $600,000.

The STTR Program Solicitation research areas correspond to the central underlying technological competencies of each participating NASA Center. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) does not participate in the management of the STTR Program.