Grants / Department of Energy / Office of Science

DE-FOA-0002554: FY 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1

Closed Closed October 22, 2021 Opportunity DE-FOA-0002554 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot (DE-FOA-0003673). Status: Closes January 12, 2027 (66 days left). It is in our archive of Office of Science notices from 2021.

• Award ceiling$250,000
• Award floor$1
• Total funding$40.0 million
• Expected awards196
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

SBIR/STTR program eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that the funds go only to small, independent United States (U.S.) businesses. The regulations, 13 CFR 121, include restrictions about (1) the type of firm, (2) its ownership structure, and (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees. The purpose of the requirement regarding type of firm is to target the awards to firms with an economic interest in developing the idea or research into a commercial application. The purpose of the ownership requirement is to limit the program to independent firms controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens as a way of maximizing the likelihood that the funding will stimulate innovative activity within the U.S. economy. The purpose of the size restriction (number of employees of the firm and its affiliates) is to limit program funding to small business concerns with a unique capacity for innovation and are more likely to be constrained by lack of access to such funding.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Office of Science Financial Assistance Program awards averaged $1.2 million; this notice allows up to $250,000 per award.
• Most of the program's money (69% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

Phase I grants resulting from this competition will be made during FY 2022 to small businesses with maximum award sizes of $200,000 or $250,000. Refer to the individual topic for its respective maximum award size (a proposal submitted that exceeds the maximum award size for the respective topic will be declined without review). The period of performance will depend on the scope of the effort but will not exceed 12 months. Please note that the Phase II grant application will be due approximately 9.5 months after the grant start date. This will be the only opportunity to submit a Phase II application for Phase I awards made under this FOA. Grantees that select a Phase I period of performance of 9 months or less will be able to complete their Phase I project prior to submission of their Phase II grant application. Grantees that select a Phase I longer than 9 months will be able to continue R&D after their Phase II application is submitted but will not be able to utilize these results in the preparation of their Phase II application. Phase I is to evaluate, insofar as possible, the scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas that appear to have commercial potential and/or substantial application in support of DOE mission research. The grant application should concentrate on research that will contribute to proving scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Success in a DOE Phase I is a prerequisite to further DOE support in Phase II.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DE-FOA-0003673, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.