SBIR and STTR Grant Writing for NSF, NIH, DoD, and DARPA

Powered by Human Expertise, Not Generative AI.

Your proposal is written by a human domain expert in your field. We do not use generative AI to write proposals.

According to our 2023/2024 study of 350+ NSF, NIH, and DoD reviewers, over 64% of applications written by AI fail to progress beyond initial triage, precluding panel discussion. Why risk valuable time and money on an AI-generated proposal?

Read the NSF's Official Statement on the risk of Generative AI tools in proposal preparation.

Book Free 30-Min Consultation View Pricing
$495
Fixed pricing from
Fixed
Pricing
$0
Success Fees
Human
Written Proposals
Free
Consultation
NSF
and NIH
DoD
and DARPA
🎉 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization — Signed Into Law

S. 3971 Signed Into Law — SBIR/STTR Reauthorized Through 2031

On April 13, 2026, President Trump signed S. 3971 — the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act into law. The SBIR and STTR programs are now reauthorized through September 30, 2031. Federal agencies are preparing to publish new solicitations — DoD is expected to move first, with NIH and NSF following in late April through May.

✅
Senate Passed
Mar 3 · Unanimous
✅
House Passed
Mar 17 · 345–41
✅
Bill Enrolled
Certified & Printed
✅
Presented to President
Apr 2, 2026
✅
Signed Into Law
Apr 13, 2026
$30M Breakthrough Awards
New Strategic Breakthrough Awards for Phase II graduates with 100% matching funds. Up to $30M per company over 48 months.
Proposal Submission Caps
Agencies must set per-company proposal limits starting FY2027. Waivers limited to 5% of topics. Targets high-volume submitters.
Enhanced Security Screening
Mandatory screening against 8 federal watchlists. Expanded foreign ownership, affiliation, and cybersecurity due diligence.
Read Full Analysis Prepare Your Proposal Now

For DoD, DARPA, and AFWERX proposals: defensegrantwriters.com

New: SBIR Grant Finder

Search Open SBIR/STTR Solicitations

Browse live funding opportunities from DoD, NIH, NSF, NASA, DOE, and more. Filter by agency, branch, status, or keyword. Found a grant that fits your research? We'll write the proposal for you.

Agency: All
Branch: All
Status: All
Search topics, IDs...
26 solicitations
DoD · ArmyPre-Release
Ka-Band Metamaterial-Based Electronically Scanned Array Radar for Test and Training
A254-049
Deadline: Mar 18, 2026
View RFPGet Help Applying
DoD · DARPAPre-Release
Pulsed High-power Laser Accelerators to Study Radiation Hardening (PHLASH)
HR0011SB20254-13
Deadline: Mar 18, 2026
View RFPGet Help Applying
DoD · USAFPre-Release
Space-Based Interceptors for Boost-Phase Missile Defense in the Endo-Atmospheric Region
SF254-D1202
Deadline: Mar 18, 2026
View RFPGet Help Applying
DoD $2.3B NIH $1.2B DOE $315M NSF $174M NASA $174M USDA $42M DHS $18M DOC $15M ED $10M DOT $9M EPA $5M
Search Open Solicitations
Free Resource: 5-Part Series

How to Read Your NIH SBIR Summary Statement

Four annotated sample summary statements with downloadable PDFs covering every score range - from a funded application (Score 23) to a low-scoring proposal (Score 55). Learn exactly what reviewers are telling you.

23
STRONG
Cognitive Screening
Likely Funded
33
COMPETITIVE
Gene Therapy
Split Vote
45
BELOW PAYLINE
Robotic Surgery
Major Gaps
55
LOW SCORE
AI Drug Discovery
Fundamental Issues

Each example includes a complete fictional summary statement PDF with redacted names, full reviewer critiques, meeting roster, and expert annotations explaining what the reviewers are really saying.

Read the Complete Guide
Our team has worked with researchers and teams from
NSF NASA DoD DHS EPA
MIT Stanford Yale Brown University Emory Columbia NIST NOAA Dept of Transportation Dept of Education AFWERX NIHR University of Queensland Griffith University Altered Carbon Mind You Alithia Power Acorai Uroboros Affimedix OneGenomics Co-Labs Parasym Bream MIT Stanford Yale Brown University Emory Columbia NIST NOAA Dept of Transportation Dept of Education AFWERX NIHR University of Queensland Griffith University Altered Carbon Mind You Alithia Power Acorai Uroboros Affimedix OneGenomics Co-Labs Parasym Bream
Use of agency or institutional logos does not constitute agency endorsement
Transparent Pricing

Fixed-Price Plans. No Hidden Costs.

NSF
SBIR Project Pitch
$495
Fixed price · Fee refunded if Project Pitch not accepted*
  • All four Project Pitch questions
  • Written by a domain expert in your field
  • Technical innovation and feasibility
  • Commercial viability and market analysis
  • R&D goals with measurable criteria
  • Company overview and team structure
Book Free Consultation
NSF
SBIR Phase I
$5,995
Fixed price · Written by one of our NSF specialists
  • Critical review of accepted Project Pitch
  • Intellectual Merits and Broader Impacts
  • Commercial Opportunity (2–3 pages)
  • Technical Solution (1–3 pages)
  • Technical Discussion and R&D Plan (5–6 pages)
  • Company/Team section (1–3 pages)
  • Budget template and justifications
  • Facilities, Resources and Data Management Plan
Book Free Consultation
NIH
SBIR Phase I
$5,495
Fixed price · Written by one of our NIH specialists
  • Specific Aims reviewed by NIH Program Director
  • Project Narrative and Public Health Statement
  • Abstract (up to 30 lines)
  • Technical Discussion and Research Plan (6 pages)
  • Company/Team, Budget and Justifications
  • Facilities, Resources and Data Management Plan
  • Letters of Support (3) from your nominees
  • Clinical Trial / IRB documents available (+$995)
Book Free Consultation

DoD, AFWERX, and Phase II pricing available - ask during your consultation.

* Fee refunded if your NSF Project Pitch is not accepted, minus a $25 processing fee.

What We Offer

Full-Spectrum SBIR Grant Services

From initial project pitch to Phase II applications, we manage the entire grant process so you can focus on your research.

Grant Consultancy

We analyze your technology, identify the best-fit SBIR topic areas, and build a strategic funding roadmap tailored to your research and commercial goals.

Proposal Writing

Complete proposal development by a domain expert in your field.

Technical Translation

We specialize in deconstructing complex technical information into grant-ready material that resonates with reviewers and study sections.

Grant Editing

Expert review and refinement of your existing proposals, supporting documents, and scientific manuscripts for maximum competitiveness.

Guided Submission

Grant submission is complex. We manage the entire process end-to-end, from Research.gov and eRA Commons to budget templates and compliance documents.

Resubmission Strategy

We analyze reviewer feedback and restructure your proposal for a stronger second round.

Our Team

Domain Experts Matched to Your Field

Our writers come from industry, government, research, and medicine, and we match each proposal to a writer with experience in your field. Our writers include researchers who have received NSF, NIH, or equivalent funding as a Principal Investigator.

We cover over 50 disciplines - from biological, physical, and chemical sciences to AI, machine learning, and defense technologies.

  • Writers with their own federal grant experience
  • Some have served on NSF/NIH/DoD study sections
  • Every team member has 10+ years in the grants space
  • Full-time staff and specialist contract writers
  • Global expertise across 50+ scientific disciplines
10+
Years in Grants, Every Writer
50+
Scientific Disciplines
Free
Initial Consultation
$0
Success Fees
How It Works

From First Call to Funded

A streamlined process designed to get your proposal submission-ready with minimal burden on your time.

1

Free Consultation

30-minute call to discuss your technology, target agency, and funding timeline. We identify the best SBIR topic area for your work.

2

Expert Assignment

We match you with a domain expert who has direct experience in your field and a track record of funded proposals in that area.

3

Proposal Development

Your writer develops the complete proposal - from technical narrative and R&D plan to budget justifications and supporting documents.

4

Review and Submission

Final quality review, your approval, and guided submission through the appropriate agency portal. We manage the entire process.

Ready to Get Funded?

Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your SBIR proposal.

Book Free Consultation