NSF's revived SBIR/STTR program (solicitation NSF 26-510) funds deep-tech startups with up to $305,000 for Phase I over 6-18 months and up to ~$1.25M for Phase II, with roughly $210M in aggregate funding. Founders must first submit and win an invited Project Pitch; the next full-proposal deadline is Nov 4, 2026.
Home › Founders News › Gov & Employment
NSF's relaunched SBIR/STTR reopens: next Phase I pitch window Nov 4
Why this matters for founders
Non-dilutive federal R&D funding for deep-tech startups—start the mandatory Project Pitch now (companies get only two per year) so you can be invited before the Nov 4 proposal deadline.
Source: U.S. National Science Foundation
Related updates
More that helps you.
Brazil launches 5th Eco Invest auction to fund green-tech innovation
On July 28, 2026, Brazil's Ministry of Finance published the operational manual for the 5th Eco Invest Brasil auction, financing technology innovation in strategic ecological-trans…
Sweden orders Vinnova and Tillvaxtverket to fix deeptech funding gaps
On June 25, 2026, the Swedish government tasked Vinnova and Tillvaxtverket with analyzing how to improve capital access for breakthrough-innovation and deeptech companies. The agen…
NSF reboots SBIR/STTR with $250M and a new $30M Strategic Breakthrough tier
NSF restarted its SBIR/STTR deep-tech program (solicitation NSF 26-510) with a $250M FY26 budget, announced May 31, 2026. It adds a Strategic Breakthrough Awards tier of up to $30M…
Singapore adds S$1B to Startup SG Equity, now covering growth-stage deep tech
EnterpriseSG confirmed a S$1 billion top-up to the Startup SG Equity (SSGE) co-investment scheme, announced at Budget 2026 and the MTI Committee of Supply 2026. For the first time…
Get briefs like this tuned to you.
In the app, Founder Briefs are personalized to your country, industry and stage, and you can save the ones that matter.
See plans →
Keep exploring
Related across the site
Case studyJack MaAlibabaCase studyReginald F. LewisTLC Beatrice InternationalChecklistFind real grants and free business helpGovernments offer loans, grants, and free advisors that most founders never claim. This checklist shows where the real support is and how to apply without wasting weeks.ChecklistRaise startup funding without the chaosDecide whether to raise at all, then run a focused process: sharp numbers, a ranked investor list, batched meetings, and terms you actually understand.GuideBuild an investor list that funds youTarget 30 to 50 investors who actually back your stage and sector, so every pitch lands with someone who can realistically say yes.GuideFind real small business support fastMost startup support is loans, tax credits, and free advice, not free money. A realistic map of what exists saves you from grant scams and wasted applications.