The SBIR and STTR programs are congressionally mandated set-aside programs for domestic small business concerns to engage in Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.
The STTR and SBIR programs are similar in that both programs seek to increase the participation of small businesses in federal R&D and to increase private sector commercialization of technology developed through federal R&D.
- The SBIR Program includes the following objectives: using small businesses to stimulate technological innovation; strengthening the role of small business in meeting federal R/R&D needs; increasing private sector commercialization of innovations developed through federal SBIR R&D; increasing small business participation in federal R/R&D; and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned business concerns in the SBIR program.
- The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business concern applicant organization to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II.
To learn more about SBIR and STTR programs at NIDCR, visit the Funding Opportunities page on the seed.nih.gov website (Look for NIDCR in the "Organization" column.)
Last Reviewed
December 2021