DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

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Program Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are competitive non-dilutive funding programs that support American small businesses in developing innovative technologies with strong commercial potential.  

The DOE recently consolidated the management of the SBIR/STTR programs to the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), reflecting DOE’s focus on moving taxpayer-funded research toward real-world impact. The SBIR/STTR programs align directly with OTC’s mission to accelerate commercialization, streamline innovation pathways, and strengthen engagement between small businesses and the DOE National Laboratory system. This transition reinforces DOE’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and investing in technological advancements towards energy dominance. Additional resources and program information will be added to this site as program updates are finalized.  

SBIR and STTR are congressionally authorized programs that reserve a portion of federal research funding for U.S. small businesses. Through a competitive, phased process, companies receive funding to establish technical feasibility (Phase I), further develop and prototype their technology (Phase II), and pursue commercialization and follow-on opportunities (Phase III). Participation is limited to for-profit U.S. small businesses that meet Small Business Administration eligibility requirements. DOE coordinates its SBIR/STTR implementation with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  

The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971) was signed into law on April 13, 2026. This Act extends the SBIR/STTR Programs through Fiscal Year 2031.

Open Now

FY26 Phase I Genesis Mission Opportunity

DOE announced the opening of the FY26 Phase I Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR opportunity on July 22, 2026. These projects will support an anticipated 40 awards across the following four Genesis Mission-focused topic areas: 

  • Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution 
  • Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery: AI for Quantum Computing and Networking 
  • Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality 
  • Achieving AI-Driven Autonomous Laboratories 

This initial release precedes a broader Phase I funding opportunity expected later this fall. 

FY25 Phase II Opportunity

DOE opened approximately $147 million in FY25 SBIR/STTR Phase II funding opportunities on July 22, 2026, supporting eligible small businesses as they continue advancing technologies toward commercialization. Eligible recipients of DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II, and Follow-on Phase II awards from prior fiscal years will receive direct outreach with application requirements and timelines. 

Program Structure

DOE’s new SBIR/STTR programs will follow the phases illustrated below. Participants will submit a single application to enter the program and may progress to subsequent phases through a series of Go/No-Go decision points. Therefore, once the initial application is submitted, no additional applications will be required. Instead, participants will advance through subsequent phases at their own pace by successfully meeting established milestones and performance criteria.
Phases of DOE SBIR-STTR
DOE SBIR STTR Phases Table

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DOE will continue to share updates, funding opportunities, and program announcements as the transition to the Office of Technology Commercialization progresses.  Sign up to receive email updates and notifications about future funding opportunities and program resources.