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Supplemental funding

These funding opportunities are only applicable for NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II awardees.

NSF is committed to assisting Phase II awardee companies to successfully commercialize their innovation research, grow their company and create jobs by attracting new investments and partnerships. To reinforce these commitments, the program supports a broad number of supplements and other opportunities.

Please notify your program director of your intention to submit a supplemental funding request before preparing and submitting a proposal. You will not be eligible to apply for or receive supplemental funding after your original award period has ended. A no-cost extension does not extend the eligibility period for supplements. (The one exception is for a TECP supplement.)
View instructions for Proposal / Budget submissions.

Phase IIA: Support for Partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering Awardees

  • Funding to foster partnerships between small businesses and minority-serving institutions that have funded Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology or HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering awards.
  • Max funding: 20% of the Phase II award amount for no more than one year
  • Suggested deadline: At least 90 days prior to Phase II award expiration
  • More information.

Phase IIB: Catalyzing Additional Funding Pathways

  • Extends the research and development efforts beyond the current grant to further accelerate commercialization of the Phase II project.
  • Max funding: $500,000 new NSF funding per award, limited to 50% of qualified third-party funds.
  • Requirements: Third-party commitments totaling at least $100,000.
  • Deadline: Must begin the financial package submission process within 23 months of the Phase II start date (or 29 months if TECP support has been awarded).
  • The award of a Phase IIB supplement may extend the Phase II award by up to two years.
  • More information.

Phase IICC: Support for Partnerships with Community Colleges

  • Partnership funding between small businesses and community college researchers and students.
  • Max funding: $40,000 per year.
  • Suggested deadline: At least 90 days prior to Phase II award expiration.
  • More information.

Research Assistantships for High School Students

  • Funding support for active research participation by high school students interested in science, technology and mathematics in the NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (NSF SBIR/STTR) program.
  • Max funding: $6,000 per student per year.
  • Deadline: Rolling submission; does not extend award duration.
  • Recruiting tip: Guidance counselors at your local high school may be a great help. You can use this recruiting template to reach out.
  • More information.

Research Experiences for Teachers

  • Funding support for active involvement of K-12 teachers and community college faculty in engineering research.
  • Max funding: $10,000 per teacher per year.
  • Deadline: Rolling submission; does not extend award duration.
  • Recruiting tip: Guidance counselors at your local middle and high schools may be a great help. You can use this recruiting template to reach out.
  • More information.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

  • Funding support for active NSF research participation by undergraduate students.
  • Max funding: $8,000 per student per year.
  • Deadline: Rolling submission; does not extend award duration.
  • Recruiting tip: The career center at your local community college or university may be a great help. You can use this recruiting template to reach out.
  • More information.

Small Business - Engineering Research Center Collaboration Opportunity

  • Collaborative research opportunity to provide a beneficial research and commercialization platform between NSF SBIR/STTR companies with Engineering Research Center faculty, researchers and graduate students.
  • Max funding: 20% of the Phase II award amount for no more than one year.
  • More information.

Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP)

  • Funding for additional research that goes beyond the Phase II project’s objectives to meet the technical specifications or additional proof-of-concept requirements. Additional research is anticipated to enhance the commercial potential and lead to partnerships with industrial partners and venture and angel investors.
    (A TECP award could extend your Phase II award period.)
  • Max funding: 20% of the Phase II award.
  • Deadline: Within 18 months of the effective start date of the Phase II award.
  • More information.

Additional opportunities:

NSF SBIR Innovative Postdoctoral Entrepreneurial Research Fellowship

  • With funding support from NSF, the American Society for Engineering Education recruits, trains, mentors, places and funds early-career STEM doctorate recipients from underrepresented groups to participate in entrepreneurial activities and perform innovative research at NSF Phase II SBIR/STTR awardee companies.
  • Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all fields in science and engineering funded by NSF within the current portfolio of active Phase II SBIR/STTR awardee companies.
  • Appointments are for one year.
  • The base stipend is $78,000 per year, plus optional individual health and life insurance, relocation and conference travel support, and professional development training in entrepreneurship.
  • Deadline: Bi-monthly starting May 8, 2019, until filled.
  • More information.

American Institute for Manufacturing of Integrated Photonics Capabilities

  • The American Institute for Manufacturing of Integrated Photonics (AIM) is a public-private partnership that focuses on the nation’s premiere capabilities and expertise to capture and mature critical manufacturing domestic capability for integrated photonics.
  • Research projects utilizing the AIM photonics fabrication process technologies via multi-project wafer (MPW) runs should have an objective to bring a specific innovation to integrated photonics circuits and components or to demonstrate a new approach that uses integrated photonics as its differentiator.
  • For proposals submitted to NSF and recommended for funding following merit review, the grantee’s cost of the chip may be discounted by 50% of the stated cost by AIM, based on available space on the MPW shuttle run. Test, assembly and packaging services may be discounted by 15% of the stated cost. Note that MPW shuttle runs at discounted rates are offered on a space-available basis only. It is recommended that the grantee check with AIM Photonics for run scheduling well in advance of the design due date.
  • More information.