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What we fund

NSF-funded startups and small businesses saw around 300 exits and more than $20 billion in private investments during fiscal years 2016 to 2024. *

We fund almost all areas of technology

Between fiscal years 2016 and 2024, America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF made 4,000+ awards to startups and small businesses. Each year, we fund roughly 400 companies across nearly all technology areas and market sectors (with the exception of clinical trials and schedule I controlled substances). Select a topic area below to read more about the topic, see featured Phase I and Phase II success stories.

Browse lists of our active Phase I and Phase II awardees, who are still completing the research outlined in their proposals, and see all of the awards we've made over the last 10 years.

ACTIVE PHASE I AWARDEES ACTIVE PHASE II AWARDEES VIEW ALL AWARDEES

Advanced Manufacturing
M
Advanced Manufacturing: Sub-Topics
  • Building and Infrastructure (M1)
  • Carbon Sequestration (M2)
  • Cybermanufacturing (M3)
  • Distributed Manufacturing (M4)
  • Ecomanufacturing (M5)
  • Modeling and Simulation (M6)
  • Natural Resources and Critical Minerals (M7)
  • Quantum Device Manufacturing (M8)
  • Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing (M9)
  • Other Manufacturing Technologies (M10)
Advanced Materials
AM
Advanced Materials: Sub-Topics
  • Advanced Engineering Materials (AM1)
  • Coatings and Surface Modifications (AM2)
  • Metals and Ceramics (AM3)
  • Novel Advanced Materials-based Sensors (AM4)
  • Structural and Infrastructural Materials (AM5)
  • Other Advanced Materials Technologies (AM6)
Advanced Systems for Scalable Analytics
AA
Advanced Systems for Scalable Analytics: Sub-Topics
  • Building Analytical System for Learning from Dynamic Environments (AA1)
  • Data Mining, Machine Learning (Non-deep learning-based), and Reinforcement Learning (AA2)
  • Decision Support and Optimization (AA3)
  • Knowledge and Data Management Technologies (AA4)
  • Marketplaces for Data and Models (AA5)
  • Novel Visualization Technologies (AA6)
  • Software Technologies for Scalable Analytical Systems (AA7)
  • Other Novel Technologies (AA8)
Agricultural Technologies
AG
Agricultural Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Agroforestry (AG1)
  • Expanding Access to Farming (AG2)
  • Food Waste Mitigation (AG3)
  • Harvesting Complex Systems (AG4)
  • Improved Resilience through Interspecies Interchange (AG5)
  • Nature-based Solutions (AG6)
  • Polyculture Systems (AG7)
  • Precision Agriculture (AG8)
  • Resilient Supply & Distribution (AG9)
  • Other Agricultural Technologies (AG10)
Artificial Intelligence
AI
Artificial Intelligence: Sub-Topics
  • Cognitive Science-based Technologies (AI1)
  • Computer Vision Based AI Technologies (AI2)
  • Conversational AI Technologies (AI3)
  • Language-Based AI Technologies (AI4)
  • Novel AI Hardware Technologies (e.g. Neuromorphic Computing, High-performance Technologies for AI, Smart and Secure Edge Devices, etc.) (AI5)
  • Sustainable AI Technologies for Low Resource Environments (AI6)
  • Technologies for Trustworthy AI (safe, fair, transparent, privacy-preserving, explainable, and/or secure) (AI7)
  • Other Novel Technologies (AI8)
Augmented Virtual and Mixed Reality
AV
Augmented Virtual and Mixed Reality: Sub-Topics
  • Differentiated Hardware Technologies for AR/VR/MR (AV1)
  • Differentiated Software Technologies for AR/VR/MR (AV2)
  • UI/UX for Immersive AR/VR/MR (AV3)
  • Advanced Analytics for Collaboration in AR/VR/MR (AV4)
  • Other Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Technologies (AV5)
Biological Technologies
BT
Biological Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Animal Biotechnology (BT1)
  • Aquaculture (BT2)
  • Bio-Inspired Technologies (BT3)
  • Bioinstruments and Biosensors (BT4)
  • Cell and Tissue Engineering (BT5)
  • Fermentation (BT6)
  • Life Science Research Tools (BT7)
  • Microbiome and Microbial Diversity (BT8)
  • Plant Biotechnology (BT9)
  • Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering (BT10)
  • Other Biological Technologies (BT11)
Biomedical Technologies
BM
Biomedical Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Diagnostics (BM1)
  • Drug Delivery Methods (BM2)
  • Materials for Biomedical Applications (BM3)
  • Medical Imaging (BM4)
  • Monitoring Devices (BM5)
  • Other Biomedical Technologies (BM6)
Chemical Technologies
CT
Chemical Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Biochemicals (CT1)
  • Catalysts, Advanced Chemicals and Materials (CT2)
  • Chemical and Environmental Sensing and Data (CT3)
  • Food Processing, Chemicals and Agriculture (CT4)
  • Green Chemicals and Chemical Alternatives (CT5)
  • Separations and Water Treatment (CT6)
  • Other Chemical Technologies (CT7)
Cloud and High-Performance Computing
CH
Cloud and High-Performance Computing: Sub-Topics
  • Algorithms and Applications (CH1)
  • Computational Architecture (CH2)
  • Convergence of AI and Cloud/HPC (CH3)
  • Edge Computing (CH4)
  • Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CH5)
  • In-memory Processing (CH6)
  • Interconnects (CH7)
  • Middleware (CH8)
  • Performance Monitoring (CH9)
  • Processing on Encrypted Data (CH10)
  • Processor Architecture and Design (CH11)
  • Resilience and Resource Management (CH12)
  • Other Cloud and High-Performance Computing Technologies (CH13)
Cybersecurity and Authentication
CA
Cybersecurity and Authentication: Sub-Topics
  • Computation on Encrypted Data (CA1)
  • Cryptography, including Post-quantum Cryptography (CA2)
  • Data Privacy and Integrity (CA3)
  • Device Authentication (CA4)
  • Encryption, including Homomorphic Encryption (CA5)
  • Network and Device Security (CA6)
  • Personal Authentication (CA7)
  • Secure and Trusted Computing (CA8)
  • Secure Machine-to-Machine Communication (CA9)
  • Security of Cloud and High Performance Computing (HPC) Platforms (CA10)
  • Other Cybersecurity and Authentication Technologies (CA11)
Digital Health
DH
Digital Health: Sub-Topics
  • Assistive, Enabling and Rehabilitative technologies (DH1)
  • AI in healthcare and drug discovery (DH2)
  • Healthcare Workflow, Economics and Delivery (DH3)
  • Medical Diagnostics and Devices (DH4)
  • Physical, Mental and Behavioral Health (DH5)
  • Other Digital Health Technologies (DH6)
Distributed Ledger
DL
Distributed Ledger: Sub-Topics
  • Autonomous Systems and Economies, and Smart Contracts (DL1)
  • Blockchain, DAGs, and Next-Gen Protocols (DL2)
  • Convergence with Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (DL3)
  • Convergence with Internet of Things, Crowdsourcing and Crowdsensing (DL4)
  • Cryptography, Security, and Cybersecurity (DL5)
  • Digital Assets (DL6)
  • Distributed Consensus and Fault Tolerance Mechanisms (DL7)
  • Distributed Ledger in Edge and Cloud Computing (DL8)
  • Distributed Ledger Interoperability (DL9)
  • Distributed Ledger in Network Architecture and Management (DL10)
  • Financial Technologies (DL11)
  • Human-to-Technology Interfaces and Decentralized Applications (dApps) (DL12)
  • Scalability Solutions and Accumulators (DL13)
  • Trusted Identity and Identity Management (DL14)
  • Other Distributed Ledger Technologies (DL15)
Emerging Technologies
EM
Emerging Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Emerging Technologies (EM1)
Energy Technologies
EN
Energy Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Advanced Nuclear Energy Tech (EN1)
  • CO2 and Methane Conversion, Petrochemicals, Oil and Gas (EN2)
  • Directed Energy (EN3)
  • Electromagnetics (EN4)
  • Energy Efficiencies and Data Technologies (EN5)
  • Energy Production and Power Generation (EN6)
  • Energy Storage (EN7)
  • Hydrogen Technologies (EN8)
  • Other Energy Technologies (EN9)
Environmental Technologies
ET
Environmental Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Conservation, Adaptation and Restoration (ET1)
  • Digital Ecosystem for the Environment (ET2)
  • Emission or Waste Reduction and the Circular Economy (ET3)
  • Food, Regenerative Agriculture, and Energy (ET4)
  • Measurement (ET5)
  • Resiliency (ET6)
  • Sustainable Community Systems (ET7)
  • Water Treatment, Resilience, and Sanitation (ET8)
  • Other Environmental Technologies (ET9)
Human-Computer Interaction
HC
Human-Computer Interaction: Sub-Topics
  • Multimedia and Multimodal Interfaces (HC1)
  • HC Computational Methods and Systems (HC2)
  • Smart Integrated Systems (HC3)
  • Human-to-Human Communication Systems via Technology (HC4)
  • Other Human-Computer Interaction Technologies (HC5)
Instrumentation and Hardware Systems
IH
Instrumentation and Hardware Systems: Sub-Topics
  • Instrumentation or Hardware Systems for Actuation, Control, and Manipulation (IH1)
  • Instrumentation or Hardware Systems for Detection and Characterization (IH2)
  • Instrumentation or Hardware Systems for Imaging (IH3)
  • Other Instrumentation or Hardware Systems Technologies (IH4)
Internet of Things
I
Internet of Things: Sub-Topics
  • IoT Communications (I1)
  • IoT Integrated Systems (I2)
  • IoT Sensors and Actuators (I3)
  • Networking (I4)
  • Other IoT Technologies (I5)
Learning and Cognition Technologies
LC
Learning and Cognition Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Advanced Learning Technologies (LC1)
  • Workforce Development and Upskilling (LC2)
  • Advanced Analytics for Learning and Cognition (LC3)
  • Innovative Approaches to Multimodal Learning (LC4)
  • Other Learning and Cognition Technologies (LC5)
Medical Devices
MD
Medical Devices: Sub-Topics
  • Diagnostic Imaging or Monitoring (MD1)
  • General Medical Devices (MD2)
  • Implantable (MD3)
  • Manufacturing Processes or Prototyping Methods (MD4)
  • Materials (non biological) (MD5)
  • Procedural Technologies or Visualization (MD6)
  • Rehabilitation (MD7)
  • Wearables (MD8)
  • Women's Health (MD9)
Mobility
MO
Mobility: Sub-Topics
  • Aviation (MO1)
  • Behavioral Transitions (MO2)
  • Hypersonic (MO3)
  • Infrastructure and Flow (MO4)
  • Marine (MO5)
  • Personal Transportation (MO6)
  • Resiliency and Sustainability (MO7)
  • Other Mobility Topics (MO8)
Nanotechnology
N
Nanotechnology: Sub-Topics
  • Nanomanufacturing (N1)
Other Topics
OT
Other Topics: Sub-Topics
  • Other Topics (OT1)
Pharmaceutical Technologies
PT
Pharmaceutical Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Drug Discovery (PT1)
  • Pharmaceutical and Biologic Manufacturing (PT2)
  • Other Pharmaceutical Technologies (PT3)
Photonics
PH
Photonics: Sub-Topics
  • Advanced Metrology and Sensors (PH1)
  • Advanced Optical Components and Systems (PH2)
  • Communications, Information, and Data Storage (PH3)
  • Lighting and Displays (PH4)
  • Photonic Devices (PH5)
  • Photonic Energy Conversion (PH6)
  • Photonic Materials (PH7)
  • Photonic Metamaterials and Plasmonics (PH8)
  • Quantum Optics and Nanophotonics (PH9)
  • Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PH10)
  • Other Photonics Technologies (PH11)
Power Management
PM
Power Management: Sub-Topics
  • Energy Harvesting Devices and Systems (PM1)
  • Materials and Devices for Power Electronics (PM2)
  • Materials and Devices for Thermal Management (PM3)
  • Novel Power and Thermal Management Sensors (PM4)
  • Power Electronics Circuits and Control Systems (PM5)
  • Power Management Infrastructure and Smart Grid Systems (PM6)
  • Systems for Thermal Management (PM7)
  • Other Power Management Technologies (PM8)
Quantum Information Technologies
QT
Quantum Information Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Quantum Algorithms (QT1)
  • Quantum Communications (QT2)
  • Quantum Computing (QT3)
  • Quantum Sensing and Metrology (QT4)
  • Quantum Simulation (QT5)
  • Other Quantum Information Technologies (QT6)
Robotics
R
Robotics: Sub-Topics
  • Human Assistive Technologies and Bio-related Robotics (R1)
  • Human-Machine Interfaces and Control/Architecture (R2)
  • Robotic Applications (R3)
  • Robotics in Agile Manufacturing, and Co-Robots (R4)
  • Underground or Underwater Robotics for Low-Visibility, Poor-Connectivity or Hidden Topography (R5)
  • Other Robotics Technologies (R6)
Semiconductors
S
Semiconductors: Sub-Topics
  • Electronic Devices (S1)
  • Electronic Materials (S2)
  • Integrated Circuit Design (S3)
  • Microelectronics Packaging and Systems Integration (S4)
  • Novel Semiconductor-based Sensors (S5)
  • Processing and Metrology Technology (S6)
  • Sustainable Semiconductor Manufacturing (S7)
  • Wide Bandgap Power Devices and Materials (S8)
  • Other Semiconductor Technologies (S9)
Space
SP
Space: Sub-Topics
  • Extra-terrestrial Resource Extraction (SP1)
  • Geological and Geoclimatic Science Data Technologies (SP2)
  • Ground Launch Sites and Satellite Operations Technologies (SP3)
  • In-space Manufacturing Technologies (SP4)
  • Navigation and Positioning Technologies (SP5)
  • On-Orbit Technologies (SP6)
  • Remote Sensing Technologies (SP7)
  • Spacecraft Development and Manufacturing (SP8)
  • Space Technologies and Systems (SP9)
  • Space Transportation and Access (SP10)
  • Telecommunications Technologies (SP11)
  • Other Space-related Technologies (SP12)
Wireless Technologies
W
Wireless Technologies: Sub-Topics
  • Communication and Networking Technologies (W1)
  • Networked Sensors and Sensing (W2)
  • Wireless Devices and Components (W3)
  • Wireless Systems (W4)
  • Other Wireless Technologies (W5)

Featured Companies

We’re not interested in innovation for innovation’s sake — we back technologies that promote the social good. View a few of our many success stories.

New engine tech allows diesel engines to run on any fuel

ClearFlame Engine Technologies.

Engineering bacteria to treat skin disease

Azitra.

Squishy Robotics’ shape-shifting robots provide real-time data in disasters

Squishy Robotics.

More

(*These figures were pulled from Pitchbook from 10/01/2015 to 09/30/2022
and include companies that received NSF funding prior to 2016.)