FY 2025 NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I | 2025 NIST SBIR 01

FY 2025 NIST SBIR Phase I (NIST) Grant Opportunity: FAQs

1) What is the FY 2025 NIST SBIR Phase I opportunity?

This is a federal funding competition run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. It supports early-stage research and development (R&D) led by small businesses.

2) What is the main purpose of Phase I funding?

Phase I awards are designed to help a small business test whether a new technical idea or approach is scientifically and technically sound, feasible to execute, and credible as the foundation for a future product, service, or standards-related outcome that can ultimately reach the commercial marketplace.

3) How should a company think about Phase I in practical terms?

Phase I is essentially seed-stage R&D funding. The goal is to de-risk innovation before a larger development push by demonstrating technical merit and feasibility.

4) What kind of activities does this program support?

The focus is on science, technology, and other research and development activities. It is intended to validate an innovative technical concept and position it for eventual commercialization (or a standards-related outcome).

5) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

6) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the opportunity is described as a discretionary program.

7) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally signals that the agency may expect substantial involvement during the project compared with a more hands-off grant. Applicants should be prepared for a more collaborative federal role during the project period.

8) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 11.620.

9) How many awards does NIST expect to make?

NIST anticipates making around 10 awards under this notice of funding opportunity.

10) What is the application deadline?

The posted application deadline is December 27, 2024.

11) When was the notice created?

The notice was created on October 29, 2024.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is centered on the applicant being an SBIR-eligible small business concern for research or R&D purposes, as defined in Section 1.05 of the NOFO. The business must meet that SBIR-eligible definition at the time of award.

13) Does the business need to meet eligibility at the time of application or the time of award?

The information provided specifies that the business must meet the SBIR-eligible small business concern definition at the time of award.

14) What are the Principal Investigator (PI) employment requirements?

The PI must be primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and throughout the proposed research effort.

15) How is "primary employment" defined for the PI?

Primary employment is explicitly defined as the PI spending more than half of their time working for the small business.

16) Can the PI be a full-time employee of another organization while serving as PI?

No. The requirement that the PI spend more than half of their time working for the small business rules out full-time employment with another organization while serving as PI on the project.

17) How long must the PI maintain primary employment with the small business?

The PI must be primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and throughout the proposed research effort.

18) Why does NIST require the PI to be primarily employed by the small business?

The condition is meant to ensure that the small business is truly leading the work and that the PI is meaningfully committed to executing the R&D.

19) What outcomes is NIST looking for from Phase I projects?

NIST is looking for a credible demonstration that the technical concept is sound and feasible, and that it can serve as the foundation for a future product, service, or standards-related outcome that can ultimately reach the commercial marketplace.

20) Is the award ceiling (maximum funding amount) provided here?

No. An award ceiling is not listed in the provided source data.

21) Where can applicants find the maximum funding amount and other cost rules?

Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for the maximum funding amount, allowable costs, project period, and any topic-specific constraints.

22) What is the best overall way to understand this solicitation?

This Phase I solicitation is an entry point for small firms to validate an innovative technical concept under NIST's SBIR program, with an emphasis on demonstrating technical merit and feasibility and positioning the resulting technology (or standards contribution) for eventual commercialization.