SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research)

Also called: Small Business Innovation Research program, America's Seed Fund

A federal program in which participating agencies give competitive, non-dilutive awards to US small businesses for research and development that has the potential for commercialization.

SBIR is described by SBA as a program that encourages domestic small businesses to take on federal research and development with commercial potential, while giving agencies new solutions to their needs. Together with STTR, it is branded as America's Seed Fund.

The program has three phases: Phase I tests feasibility, Phase II continues the development begun in Phase I, and Phase III covers commercialization funded by sources other than SBIR.

S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, was signed into law on April 13, 2026 and reauthorizes SBIR and STTR through September 30, 2031.