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SBIR/STTR Phase I

Phase I is the jumping off point for most small businesses and research institutions working with the program. It is known as the “idea generation” phase, during which small businesses (and their research institution partners in STTR) establish the scientific, technical, commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed innovation. You can discover the types of technologies NASA is looking for by reading through the most recent Phase I solicitations.

The 2025 SBIR & STTR Phase I solicitations are scheduled to open on January 7, 2025. New this year, we’ve pre-released the subtopics and will host Subtopic Ask Me Anything sessions the week of December 9; find links for more information on the subtopics and sessions below.

Learn the basics of Phase I on SBIR.gov about SBIR/STTR Phase I

NASA Investment

Up to $150,000

Available to

Small Businesses

SBIR Period of Performance

6 months

STTR Period of Performance

13 months

Research Subtopics for 2025 SBIR/STTR Phase I Solicitations

SBIR Subtopics

Find the research topics for the 2025 NASA SBIR Phase I Solicitation, scheduled to open on January 7, 2025.

STTR Subtopics

Find the research topics for the 2025 NASA STTR Phase I Solicitation, scheduled to open on January 7, 2025.

Recent Phase I Press Releases

2024 SBIR/STTR Phase I

On June 7, 2024, NASA selected 299 proposals from small businesses across the country to receive nearly $45 million in Phase I awards.

2023 SBIR/STTR Phase I

On June 5, 2023, NASA selected 300 proposals from 249 small businesses and 39 research institutions to receive a total of $45 million in Phase I awards.

Solicitations & Awardees

2024 NASA SBIR Phase I Solicitation (Opened January 9, 2024)

Jun 7, 2024

PDF (3.25 MB)

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2024 NASA SBIR Phase I Awardees

Jun 7, 2024

PDF (4.95 MB)

2024 NASA STTR Phase I Solicitation (Opened January 9, 2024)

Jun 7, 2024

PDF (1.09 MB)

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2024 NASA STTR Phase I Awardees

Jun 7, 2024

PDF (1.06 MB)

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2023 NASA SBIR Phase I Solicitation (Opened January 10, 2023)

Jan 9, 2024

PDF (3.23 MB)

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2023 NASA SBIR Phase I Awardees

Feb 26, 2024

PDF (88.90 MB)

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2023 NASA STTR Phase I Solicitation (Opened January 10, 2023)

Jan 8, 2024

PDF (1.34 MB)

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2023 NASA STTR Phase I Awardees

Jan 17, 2024

PDF (2.46 MB)

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2022 NASA SBIR Phase I Solicitation (Opened January 6, 2022)

Jan 8, 2024

PDF (3.15 MB)

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2022 NASA SBIR Phase I Awardees

Jan 17, 2024

PDF (103.85 MB)

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2022 NASA STTR Phase I Solicitation (Opened January 6, 2022)

Jan 8, 2024

PDF (1.07 MB)

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2022 NASA STTR Phase I Awardees

Jan 17, 2024

PDF (19.68 MB)

Looking for awardees prior to 2022? Search for them on SBIR.gov

Resources for Phase I Proposers

2025 Phase I Subtopic AMAs

For the 2025 SBIR/STTR Phase I Solicitation, the Program will be offering Ask Me Anything webinars the week of December 9.  

Phase I Welcome Webinar

On August 14, 2024, the NASA SBIR/STTR program hosted a webinar to welcome the 2024 NASA SBIR and STTR Phase I awardees, who were selected in June 2024. Watch the recording here.

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STTR Subtopic Videos

Watch videos from STTR subject matter experts about the topics included in the 2024 STTR Phase I Solicitation

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Program Definitions

Learn the meanings of many commonly used words and phrases in the NASA SBIR/STTR program

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I-Corps

As part of your Phase I submission, you can apply for additional funding to create a repeatable and scalable business model through the NASA I-Corps program

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TABA

As part of your Phase I submission, you can apply for an additional $6,500 in funding to support your commercialization strategy through the Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) program

Keep Exploring

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