Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 004815
Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 004815
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture business and commerce science and technology and other research and development 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 27, 2015 and posted on Dec 30, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2015. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses 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 2015 solicitation. A Phase I project may apply for Phase II funding one time only. Therefore, if a Phase I awardee has previously applied for Phase II funding and was not successful the awardee is not allowed to resubmit the same project under this program solicitation. Proposals for Phase II normally may only be submitted to the Federal agency from which the Phase I award was received.
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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 004815) is a discretionary grant program designed to help small businesses move beyond early feasibility work and into more advanced research and development that supports commercialization. The program emphasizes innovation that strengthens U.S. agriculture and related sectors, and it explicitly encourages projects tied to agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies. While those areas are highlighted, the solicitation notes that USDA SBIR topic areas are intentionally flexible, meaning applicants can propose a wide range of R and D efforts as long as they align with USDA goals for a healthy and productive nation that stays in balance with land, air, and water.
This is a Phase II SBIR competition, which generally means it is meant for further development and validation of concepts that were previously explored under Phase I. In practical terms, Phase II is where a company is expected to build on Phase I results, demonstrate technical performance more convincingly (often with prototype development, field trials, scale-up work, or stronger validation data), and lay clearer groundwork for commercialization. The opportunity sits at the intersection of agriculture, business and commerce, and science and technology research and development, and it is associated with CFDA number 10.212 (Small Business Innovation Research).
Eligibility is narrowly defined. Only prior USDA SBIR Phase I awardees who have not previously applied for Phase II support are eligible to apply under this FY 2015 solicitation. A Phase I project is allowed to apply for Phase II funding only once. If a Phase I awardee already applied for Phase II and was not selected, the same project cannot be resubmitted under this solicitation. The solicitation also reinforces a standard SBIR rule: Phase II proposals are normally submitted to the same federal agency that made the Phase I award, which in this case is USDA NIFA.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity listed an estimated total program funding level of $12,000,000, with an award ceiling of $500,000 per grant. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which can reduce barriers for small businesses that may not have substantial non-federal capital available during the R and D stage. The funding instrument type is a grant, not a contract, which typically signals a focus on supporting research objectives and outcomes rather than procuring a specific government deliverable.
Key dates in the listing show it was posted on December 30, 2014, with a closing date of February 26, 2015 (the same date listed as both the original and current closing date), and an archive date of March 28, 2015. While those dates indicate this particular announcement is historical, the structure and intent reflect the ongoing SBIR model: use Phase I to establish feasibility and Phase II to advance development toward commercialization.
For applicant support, NIFA provided a help desk contact for issues accessing the full announcement electronically, with phone support available during business hours (202-401-5048). The notice also indicates there is a point of contact for questions related to preparing application content, suggesting that applicants were expected to follow detailed instructions in the full announcement regarding narrative requirements, technical work plans, and other submission components.
USDA NIFA SBIR Phase II (USDA NIFA SBIR 004815) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is this grant opportunity?
This is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SBIR 004815). It is a discretionary grant program intended to help eligible small businesses move beyond early feasibility work and into more advanced research and development (R&D) activities that support commercialization.
What is the purpose of the SBIR Phase II program?
The purpose of Phase II is to further develop and validate concepts that were previously explored under SBIR Phase I. In practical terms, Phase II is where a company is expected to build on Phase I results, strengthen proof of technical performance (often through prototypes, field trials, scale-up work, or stronger validation data), and lay clearer groundwork for commercialization.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is narrowly defined in this listing. Only prior USDA SBIR Phase I awardees who have not previously applied for Phase II support are eligible to apply under this FY 2015 solicitation.
Can a Phase I project apply for Phase II more than once?
No. A Phase I project is allowed to apply for Phase II funding only once under this solicitation. If a Phase I awardee already applied for Phase II and was not selected, the same project cannot be resubmitted under this solicitation.
Does the Phase II application have to be submitted to USDA NIFA?
Yes, according to the standard SBIR rule referenced in the notice, Phase II proposals are normally submitted to the same federal agency that made the Phase I award, which here is USDA NIFA.
What kinds of projects does this opportunity support?
The program emphasizes innovation that strengthens U.S. agriculture and related sectors. The solicitation explicitly encourages projects tied to agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies.
Are the SBIR topic areas limited to just manufacturing and renewable energy?
No. While agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative/renewable energy technologies are highlighted, the solicitation states that USDA SBIR topic areas are intentionally flexible. Applicants can propose a wide range of R&D efforts as long as they align with USDA goals for a healthy and productive nation that stays in balance with land, air, and water.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed is $500,000 per grant.
How much total funding was estimated for the program?
The listing includes an estimated total program funding level of $12,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What type of funding instrument is used (grant or contract)?
The funding instrument type is a grant, not a contract.
What is the associated CFDA number?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.212 (Small Business Innovation Research).
What is the general focus area or category of this opportunity?
The opportunity sits at the intersection of agriculture, business and commerce, and science and technology research and development, reflecting the SBIR model of supporting applied R&D with commercialization potential.
What were the key dates for this announcement?
The listing shows the opportunity was posted on December 30, 2014, with a closing date of February 26, 2015 (also shown as the current closing date), and an archive date of March 28, 2015.
Is this specific announcement current or historical?
Based on the posted, closing, and archive dates shown, this particular announcement appears to be historical.
What kinds of activities are typically expected in Phase II?
Phase II typically involves more advanced development and validation work than Phase I. The notice describes Phase II as the stage where companies often perform prototype development, field trials, scale-up work, and/or generate stronger validation data to demonstrate technical performance and better position the project for commercialization.
Where could applicants get help if they had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically?
NIFA provided a help desk contact for issues accessing the full announcement electronically, with phone support available during business hours at 202-401-5048.
Is there a point of contact for application preparation questions?
Yes. The notice indicates there is a point of contact for questions related to preparing application content, and it suggests applicants were expected to follow detailed instructions in the full announcement regarding narrative requirements, technical work plans, and other submission components.
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