National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Department of Agriculture
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Nov 17, 2026 · 40 days left
- Award size
- $600K – $650K
- Total available
- $24.8M · about 50 awards
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Set by the official notice: see Who can apply below
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Tipton County (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 9
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/4a3dc5ce-41cd-4350-9dec-5fcd7422a7cd · Printed from grantme.click/grants/92ec5d86-6195-465e-8a26-cacf97a9c202
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About this grant
The USDA SBIR/STTR programs, Assistance Listing number 10.212, support scientific excellence and technological innovation through investment of Federal research funds to build a strong national economy by stimulating technological innovation in the private sector; strengthening the role of small business in meeting Federal research and development needs; and increasing the commercial application of Federally supported research results. Further, the objective of the STTR program is to stimulate formal cooperative partnerships of ideas and technologies between small businesses and partnering research institutions (e.g., Universities and Federal laboratories).
Who can apply, from the official notice
Eligibility for the SBIR/STTR Phase II program is limited to only SBIR/STTR Phase I recipients. This includes recipients identified via a “novated” or “successor-in-interest” revised funding agreement. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
Each applicant must qualify as an SBC through registration with the SBA for R/R&D purposes at the time of selection (see Definitions in Appendix III of this NOFO).
SBIR/STTR program eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that the funds go only to small, independent U.S. businesses. The regulations include restrictions about (1) the type of firm, (2) its ownership structure, and (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees.
Type of Firm
The purpose of the requirement regarding the type of firm is to target the awards to firms with an economic interest in developing the idea or research into a commercial application.
1. An SBIR/STTR small business recipient must be a business concern – it must be organized as a for-profit concern and meet all of the other requirements for a “business concern” in 13 CFR 121.105. Non-profit entities are not eligible (except as the partnering research institution collaborator under the STTR Program).
2. If a recipient is a joint venture, limited partnership, or venture capital partner, each party to the joint venture must be a concern that satisfies all program eligibility requirements regarding type, size, ownership, and control.
Ownership & Control
The purpose of the ownership requirement is to limit the program to independent firms controlled by US citizens or permanent resident aliens as a way of maximizing the likelihood that the funding will stimulate innovative activity within the US economy.
A majority (more than 50%) of a firm’s equity (e.g., stock) must be directly owned and controlled by one of the following:
1. One or more individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States,
2. Other for-profit SBC (each of which is directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens...
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct8
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Oct27
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Nov10
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Nov15
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Nov17
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Tipton County facts with citations.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice FY26-SBIR-STTR-PII-NOFO-P.pdf (61 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Award size and project length
Project period: 36 months · p. 16
“In special cases, NIFA can allow a period of performance up to 36 months, but applicants may not request more than $600,000 (not including TABA) or $650,000 (including TABA).” Open page 16
Registrations you need first (1)
Grants.gov · p. 23
“The electronic application for this NOFO and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101.” Open page 23
Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
What to submit
Letters of support or commitment · p. 8
“To receive the consideration described above, applicants must submit letters of support or contingent commitment letters between the SBC and the entity as part of their Phase II application.” Open page 8
Form SF-424 · p. 24
“Part IV Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R.” Open page 24
Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 26
“The work plan must provide an explicit, detailed description of the R/R&D approach.” Open page 26
Budget narrative / justification · p. 28
“In the budget justification, provide the purpose, destination, method of travel, number of people traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for each trip.” Open page 28
Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 38
“PD and Co-PD biographic information/resumes provide relevant employment history; d.” Open page 38
Length limits
PS: 250 words max · p. 24
“The PS is strictly limited to 250 words with a font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman.” Open page 24
PN: 20 pages max · p. 24
“The PN must not exceed 20 pages of written text, including all figures and tables with line spacing set at 1.5 and at least 1-inch margins with font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman (the font size for tables and figures must be no smaller than…” Open page 24
Resubmitted Applications: 1 page max · p. 25
“The response to previous review is limited to Resubmitted Applications must not exceed 1 page with line spacing set at 1.5 and at least 1-inch margins with font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman.” Open page 25
Page limit (see quote): 10 pages max · p. 31
“The Commercialization Plan must only include information pertaining to the items listed below and must not exceed 10 pages of written text including all figures and tables with line spacing set at 1.5 and at least 1-inch margins with the font size no smaller…” Open page 31
Formatting rules
12-point font · p. 24
“The PS is strictly limited to 250 words with a font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman.” Open page 24
12-point font, 1-inch margins · p. 24
“The PN must not exceed 20 pages of written text, including all figures and tables with line spacing set at 1.5 and at least 1-inch margins with font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman (the font size for tables and figures must be no smaller than…” Open page 24
1-inch margins · p. 31
“The Commercialization Plan must only include information pertaining to the items listed below and must not exceed 10 pages of written text including all figures and tables with line spacing set at 1.5 and at least 1-inch margins with the font size no smaller…” Open page 31
How applications are scored (80% listed)
Build your narrative outline from these criteria
Phase II Scientific and Technical Feasibility: 20% · p. 37
“Phase II Scientific and Technical Feasibility (20%): a.” Open page 37
Commercial Potential: 20% · p. 38
“Commercial Potential (20%):” Open page 38
Importance of the Problem: 10% · p. 38
“Importance of the Problem (10%):” Open page 38
Investigator and Resource Qualifications: 10% · p. 38
“Investigator and Resource Qualifications (10%): a.” Open page 38
Budget: 10% · p. 38
“Budget (10%):” Open page 38
Duplication: 10% · p. 38
“Duplication (10%): a.” Open page 38
Cost share or match
Cost share / match · p. 22
“Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The SBIR/STTR programs have no matching requirement.” Open page 22
Cost share / match · p. 22
“While not required, cost share is encouraged.” Open page 22
Mistakes that get applications rejected (6)
Could get your application rejected: However, projects that seek funding solely for product development where no research is involved (i.e.,... · p. 7
“However, projects that seek funding solely for product development where no research is involved (i.e., the funds are needed to permit the development of a product based on previously completed research) will not be accepted.” Open page 7
Could get your application rejected: The disclosure of information related to foreign involvement or investment does not mean denial or... · p. 16
“The disclosure of information related to foreign involvement or investment does not mean denial or disqualification of an applicant.” Open page 16
Could get your application rejected: Requests for TABA funding outside of the Phase II application submission will not be considered. · p. 29
“Requests for TABA funding outside of the Phase II application submission will not be considered.” Open page 29
Could get your application rejected: Proposals with budgets exceeding $600,000 (without TABA) or $650,000 (with TABA) will be returned without review. · p. 30
“Proposals with budgets exceeding $600,000 (without TABA) or $650,000 (with TABA) will be returned without review.” Open page 30
Could get your application rejected: Administrative Requirements Applications that do not satisfy all of the criteria below will be returned... · p. 36
“Administrative Requirements Applications that do not satisfy all of the criteria below will be returned without review. 1.” Open page 36
Could get your application rejected: Unsolicited applications will not be accepted under the SBIR/STTR programs. 6. · p. 43
“Unsolicited applications will not be accepted under the SBIR/STTR programs. 6.” Open page 43
Who in Tennessee has won this program
9 awards to Tennessee groups in 4 counties since 2023 · 0 in Tipton County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden Concepts, LLC | Knoxville, Knox County | $650K | 2024 |
| Foundation Instruments Inc | Collierville, Shelby County | $600K | 2026 |
| Mobius Pbc | Lenoir City, Roane County | $325K | 2023 |
| Mobius Pbc | Lenoir City, Roane County | $325K | 2023 |
| Pntbiologicals, LLC | Smyrna, Rutherford County | $175K | 2025 |
| Glanris Water Systems Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $175K | 2023 |
| Z18 Engineering, LLC | Knoxville, Knox County | $150K | 2025 |
| Foundation Instruments Inc | Collierville, Shelby County | $125K | 2024 |
| Foundation Instruments Inc | Collierville, Shelby County | $125K | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
About the federal program
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program, also called “SBIR/STTR Program - Phase I and II”
Program number 10.212 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Project grant
How applications are judged
General application instructions are listed in the NIFA Grants Application Guide. Program-specific instructions are listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov; no other method or response is accepted. The application forms package for this funding opportunity must be accessed through Grants.gov. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide explains how to access a specific application forms package. Parts II and III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contain resources to assist grant applicants and detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process.
NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, each application is screened to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements set forth in the NOFO. All administrative requirements must be met in order for the application to proceed to the next level of review. Second, a scientific peer-review process will be used to technically evaluate applications that have met the administrative requirements using a review panel.
After each peer review panel has completed deliberations, the responsible NIFA program staff will either recommend an application for support from available funds or decline an application due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.
See the program NOFO for more information.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Phase I Award examples:
1. A Portable Situational Awareness Toolset for Wildfires Suppression and Team Management
2. Squalene Produced from US Soybeans
3. A Nickel-Binding Feed Additive for Improved Feed Efficiency & Productivity in Cattle
4. Cost-effective Monitoring Platform for Optimal Nutrient Application
5. Innovative Food Processing Utilizing Whole Apples to Produce a Novel Drink, Reducing Food Waste and Enhancing Nutritional Value
6. AMA: An AI-Driven Special Education Support Platform for Education in Rural Communities.
7. Induced polyploidization in larviparous oysters: Developing a commercially viable Hawaiian oyster
8. Consolidated Bioprocessing of Corn Stover to Ethanol Augmented by Spontaneous Particle Expansion Cotreatment
9. Improving Small Farm Profitability Using Directed Energy Weed Management
10. Cotton Picker Spindle Design and Manufacturing Processes
There were no FY25 Phase II awards issued.