Research Grants for Small Businesses

A few federal programs provide grants to small firms engaged in scientific research and development (R&D). The Federal government’s SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs award a specific percentage of Federal R&D funds to qualified small businesses. SBIR/STTR programs encourage small firms to undertake scientific research that helps meet Federal R&D objectives, and have high potential for commercialization if successful. The following agencies award SBIR/STTR grants:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Energy
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S Department of Transportation
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• National Science Foundation (NSF)