Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 003848
Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 003848
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture business and commerce community development environment food and nutrition natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.212 Small Business Innovation Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 12, 2012 and posted on Jun 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 13, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $18,300,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase I opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is a discretionary federal grant program designed to help eligible small businesses explore the technical merit and feasibility of innovative research and development ideas that have strong commercialization potential in agriculture and related fields. Phase I awards are intended to support early-stage, proof-of-concept work that can validate a technology, product, or process and position the company to compete for a larger Phase II award focused on further development and commercialization readiness. The program emphasizes innovation that aligns with USDA priorities, including advancing a healthy and productive nation while protecting and working in harmony with land, air, and water.
Funding for this Phase I competition is provided as grants, with expected individual award amounts ranging from 70,000 (award floor) up to 100,000 (award ceiling). The estimated total funding available for the opportunity is 18,300,000. The solicitation notes that Phase II funding can be as high as 450,000 for projects that successfully complete Phase I and are invited or eligible to apply for the next stage. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which is a significant benefit for small businesses that may not have additional capital available to meet a cost-share threshold.
The opportunity encourages proposals across USDA SBIR topic areas, with particular interest in projects connected to agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies. A key feature of the USDA SBIR program is its flexibility in research areas, which is meant to allow a wide range of innovative concepts so long as they fit within USDA’s broader mission and the specific topic guidance provided in the annual Request for Applications (RFA). Applicants are expected to consult the RFA for the detailed topic list, technical priorities, and application instructions, since that document defines what research areas are eligible and how proposals will be evaluated.
Historically, the program has funded a substantial portfolio of small-business-driven innovation. The announcement states that USDA SBIR has supported more than 2,000 R and D projects since 1983, helping many small businesses test and develop technologies with market potential and creating incentives to commercialize new ideas. It also provides context on competitiveness by citing approximate success rates: about 11 percent for Phase I applicants and roughly 50 to 60 percent for Phase II applicants, reflecting the typical pattern that Phase I is more competitive due to higher application volume, while Phase II success rates are higher among the smaller pool of Phase I performers advancing to the next stage.
Eligibility is limited to small businesses. The funding activity categories span a broad range, including Agriculture, Business and Commerce, Community Development, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Natural Resources, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development. The CFDA listing associated with this opportunity is 10.212 (Small Business Innovation Research). Administrative details in the source data indicate the opportunity was posted June 14, 2012, with an original closing date of September 6, 2012 and a current closing date of September 13, 2012, and it was archived December 31, 2012. These dates suggest the record refers to a specific competition cycle tied to the 2013 RFA referenced in the description, so applicants would need to confirm whether they are viewing an archived solicitation or the most current SBIR cycle.
For support, NIFA provides a help desk for applicants who have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically. The contact listed is the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. The announcement also indicates there is assistance available for questions related to preparing application content, with details typically provided in the full RFA and associated program guidance.
FAQs: USDA NIFA SBIR Phase I (Small Business Innovation Research) Grant
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase I. It is a discretionary federal grant program that supports eligible small businesses in exploring the technical merit and feasibility of innovative R&D ideas with strong commercialization potential in agriculture and related fields.
What is the main purpose of SBIR Phase I?
Phase I is intended to fund early-stage, proof-of-concept work. The goal is to validate a technology, product, or process and position the company to compete for a larger Phase II award focused on further development and commercialization readiness.
How much funding can a Phase I award provide?
Phase I awards are expected to range from $70,000 (award floor) to $100,000 (award ceiling) per award.
How much total funding is available for this Phase I competition?
The estimated total funding available is $18,300,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What kinds of projects is USDA particularly interested in for this Phase I cycle?
Proposals are encouraged across USDA SBIR topic areas, with particular interest noted for projects connected to agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies.
How do I know whether my research topic is eligible?
Applicants are expected to consult the annual Request for Applications (RFA). The RFA provides the detailed topic list, technical priorities, and application instructions, and it defines what research areas are eligible and how proposals will be evaluated.
How does this program connect to USDA priorities?
The program emphasizes innovation that aligns with USDA priorities, including advancing a healthy and productive nation while protecting and working in harmony with land, air, and water.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to small businesses.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA listing associated with this opportunity is 10.212 (Small Business Innovation Research).
What are the funding activity categories associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity categories span a broad range, including Agriculture; Business and Commerce; Community Development; Environment; Food and Nutrition; Natural Resources; Science and Technology; and other Research and Development.
What is Phase II, and how much funding could it provide?
Phase II is the next stage after Phase I and focuses on further development and commercialization readiness. The solicitation notes Phase II funding can be as high as $450,000 for projects that successfully complete Phase I and are invited or eligible to apply for Phase II.
Does receiving a Phase I award guarantee Phase II funding?
No. Phase II is a separate stage. The description indicates Phase II is for projects that successfully complete Phase I and are invited or eligible to apply for the next stage, which implies additional selection steps beyond Phase I.
How competitive is the USDA SBIR program?
The announcement provides approximate historical success rates: about 11% for Phase I applicants and roughly 50% to 60% for Phase II applicants. It also notes the typical pattern that Phase I is more competitive due to higher application volume, while Phase II success rates are higher among the smaller pool of Phase I performers advancing to the next stage.
How long has USDA SBIR been operating, and what is its track record?
The announcement states USDA SBIR has supported more than 2,000 R&D projects since 1983, helping many small businesses test and develop technologies with market potential and creating incentives to commercialize new ideas.
What type of funding instrument is used?
Funding for this Phase I competition is provided as grants.
When was this opportunity posted and what were the closing dates?
Administrative details in the source data indicate the opportunity was posted June 14, 2012, with an original closing date of September 6, 2012 and a current closing date of September 13, 2012.
Is this an active opportunity or an archived record?
The source data indicates the opportunity was archived December 31, 2012. The dates suggest the record refers to a specific competition cycle tied to the 2013 RFA referenced in the description. Applicants are advised to confirm whether they are viewing an archived solicitation or the most current USDA SBIR cycle.
Where can I get help if I cannot access the full announcement electronically?
NIFA provides a help desk for applicants who have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically. The contact listed is the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048.
What are the NIFA Help Desk hours?
The NIFA Help Desk is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Is there assistance for questions about preparing the application content?
Yes. The announcement indicates there is assistance available for questions related to preparing application content, with details typically provided in the full RFA and associated program guidance.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA SBIR 003848) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 004128 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 004128 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Community Development Environment Food and Nutrition Natural Resources Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Apply for USDA CSREES SBIR 002363 Funding Number: USDA CSREES SBIR 002363 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Community Development Environment Food and Nutrition Natural Resources Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 003240 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 003240 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Community Development Environment Food and Nutrition Natural Resources Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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