NSF · US

SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track: A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation (NSF 26-511)

Deadline November 4, 2026
Award Phase I up to $305K; Phase II up to $1.25M; Fast-Track up to $400K (Phase I) plus $1.155M (Phase II); Strategic Breakthrough up to $30M; about $40M total pilot budget
Announced November 1, 2026
Manufacturing Materials Quantum Academic Small Business

What this means for your lab

This call pays for developing new scientific instruments at small companies, so it funds the build and test of the instrument itself, not the purchase of one. Development budgets can include UHV test chambers, bakeout equipment, cryostats, or surface-analysis and scanning-probe tools used to characterize a prototype. We are glad to talk through instrumentation questions regardless.

Who can apply

US small business concerns (500 employees or fewer including affiliates). STTR requires a research institution partner. Phase I and Fast-Track need an NSF invitation after a Project Pitch. Phase II is open only to NSF Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees. The PI must be employed at least 51% by the small business. Next deadlines after this one: 2027-03-04 and 2027-07-07.

Read the official announcement ↗ Always confirm dates and eligibility against the agency’s own posting.