Annual Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Funding Opportunity Announcement

Phase I grants resulting from this competition will be made during Fiscal Year 2011 to small businesses, in amounts up to $150,000 for SBIR and up to $100,000 for STTR. 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 applications in support of DOE mission research facilities. 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. An important goal of these programs is the commercialization of DOE-supported research or R&D. Following the start of Phase I, DOE encourages its awardees to begin thinking about and seeking commitments from private sector or Federal non-SBIR/STTR funding sources in anticipation of Phases II and III. The commitments should be obtained prior to the Phase II grant application submission. The commitment for Phase III may be made contingent on the DOE-supported research or R&D meeting some specific technical objectives in Phase II, which, if met, would justify funding to pursue further development for commercial purposes in Phase III. Having firm commitments in place at the time of a Phase II application will increase the likelihood of receiving full commercialization planning credit during the evaluation of the application. Full details will be provided in the Phase II FOA.