Opportunity Information: Apply for 2018 NIST SBIR 02
The FY 2018 NIST Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Phase II opportunity is a follow-on funding competition specifically reserved for companies that previously received a NIST SBIR FY 2017 Phase I award. The purpose is to let successful Phase I projects move into Phase II, where the most promising technical work is expanded and matured toward a real-world product or service. In practical terms, this phase is focused on research and development and prototype development, taking what was proven feasible in Phase I and pushing it further toward commercialization.
To compete for a Phase II award, an eligible Phase I awardee must submit a full Phase II application that does two main things: it lays out a comprehensive technical plan for the proposed R and D work, and it provides a detailed commercialization plan describing how the end result will reach the market. NIST is looking for projects that not only have strong technical merit but also show credible potential for commercial application, meaning applicants need to demonstrate a pathway from prototype or validated concept to a product that customers will actually adopt. A key expectation built into the program is that Phase II should set up the work for post-award market traction rather than stopping at a laboratory demonstration.
The funding instrument used for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that the agency expects a more active role than with a standard grant (for example, through technical monitoring or collaboration points), consistent with federal R and D programs. Each Phase II award is capped at up to $300,000 in total funding and can support up to a 24-month period of performance. After the Phase II R and D effort ends, NIST requires continued accountability for market outcomes: one year after completing the Phase II work, the awardee must submit a report describing commercialization activities and progress. This requirement reinforces the program emphasis on moving beyond research results to measurable market steps such as product development milestones, partnerships, pilot deployments, licensing, or early sales.
Eligibility is tightly defined. Only NIST SBIR FY 2017 Phase I awardees may apply under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for Phase II, and applicants must qualify as a small business concern for R and D purposes as described in the NOFO (Section 1.05) at the time of award. The principal investigator (PI) employment rule is also central: at the time of award and throughout the conduct of the proposed research, the PI's primary employment must be with the small business. Primary employment is defined as the PI spending more than half of their time working for the small business, and it generally prevents the PI from holding full-time employment elsewhere. The NOFO notes that exceptions can occur but only with written approval by the NIST Grants Officer after consulting the SBIR Program Manager, so any deviation needs to be treated as an approval-based exception rather than an assumed flexibility.
The NOFO also sets boundaries around key personnel continuity. If a small business needs to replace the PI on a Phase II award, it must obtain prior written approval from the NIST Grants Officer, which helps NIST maintain confidence that the project leadership remains capable and stable. The notice additionally clarifies that personnel provided through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or similar employee-leasing arrangement may be treated as employees of the awardee, which can matter for meeting program staffing requirements and documenting compliance.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under CFDA 11.620, categorized under science, technology, and other research and development. The funding opportunity number is 2018 NIST SBIR 02, and the original closing date for submissions was April 24, 2018 (with a creation date of February 21, 2018). Overall, this Phase II NOFO is designed as a structured bridge from Phase I feasibility results to prototype-level development and a clear commercialization strategy, with defined funding limits, performance duration, and post-project commercialization reporting.Apply for 2018 NIST SBIR 02
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program - Phase II" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.620.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-02-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-04-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2018 NIST SBIR Program - Phase II opportunity?
This is a follow-on funding competition under the NIST Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. It is intended to support Phase II work that expands and matures successful Phase I projects toward a real-world product or service.
Who is allowed to apply for this Phase II opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to companies that previously received a NIST SBIR FY 2017 Phase I award. Only those Phase I awardees may apply under this Phase II notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
Is this competition open to new applicants that did not receive a FY 2017 Phase I award?
No. This Phase II NOFO is specifically reserved for NIST SBIR FY 2017 Phase I awardees.
What is the purpose of Phase II in this program?
Phase II is designed to take what was proven feasible in Phase I and push it further through research and development and prototype development. The intent is to mature the most promising technical work toward commercialization rather than stopping at a laboratory demonstration.
What types of activities does Phase II typically support?
Based on the NOFO description, Phase II focuses on R and D and prototype development that expands the Phase I results and moves the technology closer to a product or service suitable for real-world use and market adoption.
What are the key components required in a Phase II application?
An eligible Phase I awardee must submit a full Phase II application that includes (1) a comprehensive technical plan for the proposed R and D work and (2) a detailed commercialization plan describing how the results will reach the market.
What is NIST looking for when selecting Phase II projects?
NIST is looking for projects with strong technical merit and credible potential for commercial application. Applicants are expected to show a believable pathway from a prototype or validated concept to a product that customers will adopt, with Phase II setting up the work for post-award market traction.
What funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates NIST expects a more active role than with a standard grant, such as technical monitoring or planned collaboration points, consistent with federal R and D programs.
What is the maximum award amount for Phase II?
Each Phase II award is capped at up to $300,000 in total funding.
How long is the Phase II period of performance?
The award can support up to a 24-month period of performance.
Are there any reporting requirements after the Phase II R and D effort ends?
Yes. One year after completing the Phase II work, the awardee must submit a report describing commercialization activities and progress. This requirement reinforces the emphasis on measurable market steps following the R and D work.
What kinds of commercialization progress might be included in the required post-Phase II report?
The opportunity description indicates commercialization progress could include steps such as product development milestones, partnerships, pilot deployments, licensing efforts, or early sales activity.
What small business eligibility standard applies?
Applicants must qualify as a small business concern for R and D purposes as described in the NOFO (Section 1.05) at the time of award.
What is the Principal Investigator (PI) primary employment requirement?
At the time of award and throughout the conduct of the proposed research, the PI's primary employment must be with the small business. Primary employment is defined as the PI spending more than half of their time working for the small business, and it generally prevents the PI from holding full-time employment elsewhere.
Are exceptions to the PI primary employment rule allowed?
Exceptions can occur, but only with written approval by the NIST Grants Officer after consulting the SBIR Program Manager. Any deviation should be treated as an approval-based exception rather than assumed flexibility.
Can the small business replace the PI after an award is made?
Replacing the PI requires prior written approval from the NIST Grants Officer, according to the NOFO. This helps ensure project leadership remains capable and stable.
How does the NOFO treat personnel provided through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or similar employee-leasing arrangement?
The notice clarifies that personnel provided through a PEO or similar employee-leasing arrangement may be treated as employees of the awardee. This can affect how a company documents staffing and compliance with program requirements.
Which agency is issuing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 11.620.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under science, technology, and other research and development.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 2018 NIST SBIR 02.
What were the creation date and closing date for submissions listed in the opportunity information?
The creation date was February 21, 2018, and the original closing date for submissions was April 24, 2018.
How does this Phase II NOFO connect Phase I work to commercialization?
It is positioned as a structured bridge from Phase I feasibility results to prototype-level development and a clear commercialization strategy, with defined funding limits, a performance duration of up to 24 months, and a required commercialization progress report one year after Phase II completion.
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