April 13, 2026
Reauthorization signed. Program extended through 2031.
April 14, 2026
DoD BAA 26.1 opened with 115 topics.
~$275K
Typical Phase I ceiling across major agencies.
11
Federal agencies participating in SBIR/STTR.
How to Read This Calendar
SBIR is a program administered by SBA, but each participating agency runs its own schedule, its own topic list, its own evaluation criteria, and its own portal. The 2026 reauthorization did not change that structure; it continued it through 2031. A company that wants to be active across agencies needs to track half a dozen different cadences in parallel.
This calendar is organized by agency. For each, we list: program structure, typical 2026 windows, Phase I dollar ceiling (approximate and subject to each cycle's solicitation), portal, and what to prepare in advance.
Department of Defense (DoD)
Program Structure
The DoD runs SBIR/STTR as a department-wide BAA (Broad Agency Announcement) that pulls topics from each participating component: Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, DARPA, DHA, DLA, DTRA, MDA, OSD, SOCOM, and others. Historically DoD has run three cycles per year, labeled by fiscal year and sequence: for 2026 that is 26.1, 26.2, and 26.3. A growing share of topics are handled through DoD's open topic/CSO mechanisms on a rolling basis.
Typical 2026 Windows
- 26.1. Opened April 14, 2026 with 115 topics. Pre-release and proposal windows per DoD's SBIR calendar.
- 26.2. Expected summer 2026 (historically the second cycle opens in the May-July range).
- 26.3. Expected fall 2026 (historically the third cycle opens in the August-October range).
- Open topics / CSOs. Continuous submission for eligible components, evaluated on a rolling or batched basis.
Phase I Ceiling
Typically in the $275K range for 6-month Phase I, with component-specific variations. DoD Phase II ceilings are typically $1.8M, with Phase III having no ceiling.
Portal
DoD SBIR Innovation Portal (DSIP) at dodsbirsttr.mil. Company registration, topic browsing, and proposal submission all happen in DSIP.
What to Prepare
- DSIP company registration (multi-step, takes days to fully activate).
- SAM.gov active registration with correct NAICS.
- Topic-specific technical volume template (DoD is strict about page limits and formatting).
- Commercialization strategy that aligns with the component's acquisition pathway.
- Letters of support from DoD end users where possible.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Program Structure
NSF SBIR/STTR is organized around commercialization-ready deep tech. NSF runs submissions via Project Pitch: a short pre-proposal that, if accepted, invites a full Phase I submission. Full proposals submit through research.gov.
Typical 2026 Windows
NSF has moved to near-continuous submission through Project Pitch, with full Phase I submissions evaluated in quarterly or semiannual batches. Companies can submit a Project Pitch essentially any time; invited full proposals have defined deadlines.
Phase I Ceiling
NSF Phase I is typically up to $305K for up to 12 months. Phase II up to $1M over up to 24 months, with matching supplements available.
Portal
Project Pitch at seedfund.nsf.gov; full proposals at research.gov.
What to Prepare
- A succinct Project Pitch (technical innovation, market opportunity, company snapshot, fit with NSF's deep-tech topic list).
- A commercialization strategy that is more than boilerplate: NSF reviewers are serious about market.
- An invited Phase I proposal template ready so the turnaround after invitation is fast.
Department of Energy (DOE)
Program Structure
DOE SBIR/STTR is administered by the Office of Science with participation from across DOE's program offices (EERE, FE, NE, EM, ARPA-E, NNSA, etc.). DOE typically runs two to three release cycles per year, with topics from each participating program office.
Typical 2026 Windows
- Release 1 often in late summer / early fall (Phase I due in fall-winter).
- Release 2 often in winter / early spring.
- Topic pre-announcements precede each release by several weeks.
Phase I Ceiling
DOE Phase I typically up to $275K over 6 to 12 months. Phase II typically up to $1.8M.
Portal
DOE PAMS (Portfolio Analysis and Management System) for submission. Applicants also need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov profile for downstream Phase II mechanics.
What to Prepare
- Technical alignment with a specific DOE program office topic (topics are narrow).
- Letters of support from DOE labs or utilities where applicable.
- A clean story on how the technology moves DOE mission metrics (energy efficiency, emissions, reliability, security).
Health and Human Services / National Institutes of Health (HHS / NIH)
Program Structure
NIH SBIR/STTR runs on standard receipt dates throughout the year, with both Omnibus solicitations (open to a broad range of topics) and targeted Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) for specific problem areas. NIH is the largest non-DoD SBIR funder.
Typical 2026 Receipt Dates
- January (typical standard date).
- April (typical standard date).
- September (typical standard date).
- Targeted FOAs have their own deadlines throughout the year.
Phase I Ceiling
NIH Phase I is typically up to $306K for up to 2 years. NIH has hard ceilings but allows well-justified waivers. Phase II typically up to $2M for up to 3 years.
Portal
eRA Commons + Grants.gov for submission. The combination is less friendly than DSIP but is the path NIH uses.
What to Prepare
- An eRA Commons account (individual and organizational).
- A Specific Aims page worthy of the name: NIH reviewers are rigorous.
- Human subjects and data sharing plans where applicable.
- Letters of support from clinical or research partners.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Program Structure
NASA SBIR/STTR runs a single annual solicitation with topics drawn from across NASA's directorates (Aeronautics, Exploration, Science, Space Technology). Phase I is competitive and award announcements drive a defined Phase II cycle.
Typical 2026 Windows
- Solicitation open typically January - March.
- Phase I proposals due typically March.
- Phase I awards typically announced mid-year.
- Phase II invitations from successful Phase I awardees follow later in the year.
Phase I Ceiling
NASA Phase I is typically $150K to $156K for 6 months - historically one of the smaller Phase I ceilings among major agencies. Phase II is larger and more aligned with peer agencies.
Portal
NASA's SBIR/STTR portal at sbir.nasa.gov.
What to Prepare
- Clear alignment with a specific NASA topic area and subtopic.
- A story on how the technology feeds a NASA mission or program of record.
- Commercial customers outside NASA to shore up the commercialization narrative.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Program Structure
DHS Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) runs SBIR with topic lists drawn from DHS components (CBP, ICE, TSA, USCG, FEMA, CISA, etc.). DHS typically runs one primary annual solicitation, sometimes with a smaller secondary release.
Typical 2026 Windows
- Primary solicitation typically opens Q4 calendar year (October - December).
- Phase I proposals typically due early the following year.
Phase I Ceiling
DHS Phase I typically up to $150K - $250K, depending on topic. Phase II typically up to $1M.
Portal
DHS SBIR portal at sbir2.st.dhs.gov.
What to Prepare
- Alignment with a specific DHS component's operational need.
- An understanding of DHS's acquisition environment (it is not the DoD's).
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Program Structure
USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) runs SBIR with topic areas covering agricultural production, food science, rural development, forests, animal production, and related fields. USDA runs one primary annual solicitation.
Typical 2026 Windows
- Solicitation typically opens summer.
- Proposals typically due early fall.
- Awards typically early the following year.
Phase I Ceiling
USDA Phase I typically up to $175K - $181K. Phase II typically up to $650K.
Portal
Grants.gov, with applicant profiles in NIFA's reporting systems.
Other Participating Agencies
In addition to the above, SBIR participants include: Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce (including NOAA and NIST), and the Environmental Protection Agency. Each runs a smaller program with its own annual or semiannual cycle. Verify current solicitations on each agency's SBIR page.
Cross-Cutting Preparation Checklist
- SAM.gov. Active registration with correct NAICS (541512 is common for AI and software; see our NAICS guide).
- UEI and CAGE. Both issued automatically with SAM but verify they are active.
- DSIP registration if DoD is in scope.
- eRA Commons + Grants.gov if HHS/NIH is in scope.
- Research.gov if NSF is in scope.
- SBA Company Registry number (required for all SBIR submissions).
- An SBIR-ready capability statement separate from your general capabilities statement.
- A commercialization plan template you can adapt per topic.
- A standing list of letters of support from customers and partners, refreshed annually.
How We Help
Precision Federal is an active SBIR small business participant and partners with other firms on technical and teaming-heavy proposals. We build the technical spine of the proposal (architecture, approach, risk, mitigation), help shape the commercialization narrative, and bring federal delivery credibility (UEI Y2JVCZXT9HP5, CAGE 1AYQ0, NAICS 541512) to the submission. See our SBIR partnering page.