USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I
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determine if this program is currently accepting applications or will open again in the future.
A list of contacts by topic area is provided in Appendix I of the application instructions.
USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I provides funding for research that focuses on the development of new technologies that address important problems affecting people, institutions, and communities in rural America.
Priority topic areas include:
- Topic Area 8.1 - Forests and Related Resources
- Topic Area 8.2 - Plant Production and Protection (Biology)
- Topic Area 8.3 - Animal Production and Protection
- Topic Area 8.4 - Conservation of Natural Resources
- Topic Area 8.5 - Food Science and Nutrition
- Topic Area 8.6 - Rural and Community Development
- Topic Area 8.7 - Aquaculture
- Topic Area 8.8 - Biofuels and Biobased Products
- Topic Area 8.12 - Small and Mid-Size Farms
- Topic Area 8.13 - Plant Production, and Protection (Engineering)
Rural health related research priorities include, but are not limited to:
- Water and air quality
- Methods for processing and packaging food to improve safety and nutritional quality
- Programs and products that increase consumption of healthy foods, reduce obesity, and/or eliminate food deserts
- Expanding broadband access in rural communities
The USDA SBIR program has 3 separate phases. This opportunity is for the preparation and submission of Phase I applications. Phase I projects should demonstrate technical feasibility of the proposed innovation and bring the innovation closer to commercialization. Proposals should demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Involves a high degree of technical risk (for example, has never been attempted and/or successfully achieved and is still facing technical hurdles)
- Has the potential for significant commercial impact and/or societal benefit as evidenced by having the potential to disrupt the targeted market segment; having good product-market fit (as validated by customers); removing barriers to entry for competition; and offering potential for societal benefit (through commercialization under a sustainable business model)
- Concentrate on research that will significantly contribute to proving the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept, describe the potential market for the innovation, and be a prerequisite to further USDA SBIR support in Phase II
Eligible applicants include small businesses with less than 500 employees and that are directly owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.
A minimum of two-thirds of the research or analytical work, as determined by budget expenditures, must be performed by the proposing organization
Award ceiling: $181,500
Award floor: $125,000
Project period: 8 months
Estimated number of awards: 80
Estimated total program funding:
$15,500,000
Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.
Related Content
Organizations (2)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, view details
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture, view details
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