Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 004418
Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 004418
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II" 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 Jan 10, 2014 and posted on Jan 10, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 27, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $12,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only previous Phase I winners who have not previously applied for Phase II support are eligible to apply for Phase II support through this FY 2014 solicitation.
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Opportunity Summary:
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SBIR 004418, CFDA 10.212) was a discretionary grant competition posted on January 10, 2014, with an application deadline of February 27, 2014 (archived March 29, 2014). The program is designed to help small businesses move beyond early feasibility work and into more advanced research and development that supports real-world commercialization in agriculture and related fields. USDA frames the program around innovation that supports a healthy and productive nation while staying in harmony with land, air, and water, and it points applicants to the detailed 2014 Request for Applications (RFA) for specific topic areas and requirements.
Funding for Phase II awards could be as high as $450,000 per project (award ceiling $450,000; award floor $0), and the solicitation listed an estimated total program funding amount of $12,000,000. The funding instrument is a grant, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity, which can reduce barriers for small firms that may not have significant non-federal funds available for R and D at this stage.
Eligibility is narrowly limited. Only prior USDA SBIR Phase I winners who successfully completed a Phase I project are eligible to apply, and the solicitation further specifies that only Phase I winners who had not previously applied for Phase II support under this FY 2014 solicitation could submit a Phase II proposal. In other words, this is not an entry-point SBIR opportunity; it is explicitly the next step for companies that have already proven technical feasibility under USDA SBIR Phase I and are ready to scale the work into a more robust development effort.
From a competitiveness standpoint, the notice highlights that Phase II success rates have been around 50 to 60 percent for applicants, suggesting a relatively favorable funding probability compared with many open grant programs, though actual outcomes would still depend on proposal quality, fit to USDA priorities, and available funding. USDA also emphasizes that projects involving agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all 2014 SBIR topic areas, signaling particular interest in innovations that improve production, processing, and sustainability or that create cleaner energy options connected to agricultural systems.
The announcement also provides practical access and support details. Applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically were directed to contact the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays). The listing references an additional information link for the Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II and notes that help was available for questions related to preparing application content, indicating that applicants could seek guidance on assembling a compliant submission even if the primary technical content still had to come from the proposing business.
USDA NIFA SBIR Phase II (USDA NIFA SBIR 004418; CFDA 10.212) FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II discretionary grant competition (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SBIR 004418; CFDA 10.212). It is a Phase II SBIR opportunity intended to support more advanced research and development (R&D) leading toward real-world commercialization in agriculture and related fields.
What is the purpose of SBIR Phase II in this program?
The Phase II program is designed to help small businesses move beyond early feasibility work (completed in Phase I) and into more robust R&D that supports commercialization. USDA frames the program around innovation that helps create a healthy and productive nation while remaining in harmony with land, air, and water.
Is this an open SBIR entry opportunity for new applicants?
No. This is not an entry-point SBIR opportunity. Eligibility is narrowly limited to prior USDA SBIR Phase I winners who successfully completed their Phase I project and are ready to propose Phase II work.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only prior USDA SBIR Phase I winners who successfully completed a Phase I project are eligible to apply for this Phase II opportunity.
Are there any additional eligibility limits beyond being a Phase I winner?
Yes. The solicitation specifies that only Phase I winners who had not previously applied for Phase II support under this FY 2014 solicitation could submit a Phase II proposal.
What is the maximum award amount for a Phase II project?
The award ceiling is $450,000 per project. Phase II awards could be as high as $450,000.
Is there a minimum award amount?
The solicitation lists an award floor of $0.
How much total funding was USDA estimating for this program?
The solicitation listed an estimated total program funding amount of $12,000,000.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity, which can lower barriers for small firms that may not have significant non-federal funds available for R&D at this stage.
When was the opportunity posted and when was the deadline?
The competition was posted on January 10, 2014, with an application deadline of February 27, 2014.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The listing indicates it was archived on March 29, 2014.
Where do applicants find the specific topic areas and detailed requirements?
USDA directs applicants to the detailed 2014 Request for Applications (RFA) for specific topic areas and requirements.
What kinds of projects did USDA encourage within the 2014 SBIR topic areas?
USDA emphasized that projects involving agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies were encouraged across all 2014 SBIR topic areas. This signals particular interest in innovations that improve production, processing, sustainability, or cleaner energy options connected to agricultural systems.
How competitive is the Phase II program?
The notice highlights that Phase II success rates have been around 50 to 60 percent for applicants, suggesting a relatively favorable funding probability compared with many open grant programs. Actual outcomes still depend on proposal quality, fit to USDA priorities, and available funding.
What should applicants do if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?
Applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically were directed to contact the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048.
What are the NIFA Help Desk hours for this opportunity?
The Help Desk hours listed are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Does USDA provide any help with preparing the application?
The announcement notes that help was available for questions related to preparing application content, indicating applicants could seek guidance on assembling a compliant submission (while the technical content still needed to come from the proposing business).
Is there an additional information resource for this Phase II program?
Yes. The listing references an additional information link for the Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II.
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