The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"SBIR/STTR"},"description":"The proposed effort advances the design of an innovative core sampling and acquisition system with improved core break-off, retention and ejection features. The proposed innovation employs a different drill tube design in the vicinity of the core that does not impose any loads on the core and does not rotate relative to the core. This novel technique actually envelopes and protects the core as it is generated. The benefits are two fold; first, the integrity of the core is maintained and second, core ejection is much easier which greatly reduces, if not eliminates the risk of the core jamming within the drill tube/bit. These improvements can be obtained without increasing the annulus of the drill bit that would otherwise require more down force, torque, power and bit wear. At the end of the proposed Phase 1 effort, the design of the coring system will be at TRL 4 and by the end of a potential Phase 2, the system will be at TRL 6. ","benefits":"Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The proposed research is expected to have commercial applications for geological studies in the mining and environmental industries. ","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","viewCount":713,"destinationType":[],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":4,"trlEnd":4,"lastUpdated":"01/27/25","favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"projectContacts":[{"contactId":465082,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Thomas","lastName":"Myrick","fullName":"Thomas Myrick","fullNameInverted":"Myrick, Thomas","email":"tom.myrick@gmail.com","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","projectContactRole":"Principal_Investigator","projectContactId":42159,"projectId":7816,"programContactRolePretty":"","projectContactRolePretty":"Principal Investigator"}],"programContacts":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","email":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":143,"programId":73,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","email":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":194,"programId":73,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"leadOrganization":{"organizationId":4946,"organizationName":"Jet Propulsion Laboratory","acronym":"JPL","organizationType":"FFRDC_2fUARC","city":"Pasadena","stateTerritoryId":59,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"91109","projectId":7816,"projectOrganizationId":10601,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"FFRDC/UARC"},"otherOrganizations":[{"organizationId":4946,"organizationName":"Jet Propulsion Laboratory","acronym":"JPL","organizationType":"FFRDC_2fUARC","city":"Pasadena","stateTerritoryId":59,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"91109","projectId":7816,"projectOrganizationId":10601,"organizationRole":"Lead_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Lead Organization","organizationTypePretty":"FFRDC/UARC"},{"organizationId":3750,"organizationName":"Bear Technologies, LLC","organizationType":"Industry","city":"Oilville","stateTerritoryId":7,"stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7,"isTerritory":false},"country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"zipCode":"23129-2222","uei":"EKKBGUCGAPD3","cageCode":"4WNT8","congressionalDistrict":"Virginia 07","msiCategories":[],"msiData":{},"setAsideData":["Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)"],"projectId":7816,"projectOrganizationId":8194,"organizationRole":"Supporting_Organization","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"Supporting Organization","organizationTypePretty":"Industry"}],"primaryTx":{"taxonomyNodeId":11230,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11227,"code":"TX08.3.3","title":"Sample Handling","description":"Sample handling technologies accept samples from the devices gathering them and deliver the samples to the appropriate instrument for analysis. The technologies also seal and store samples to maintain the local environment and separate and prepare samples for chemical analysis while maintaining sample and environmental integrity.","exampleTechnologies":"The rock abrasion tool (RAT), drills, sample return storage units, sample preparation tools","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":false,"isPrimary":true,"hasInteriorContent":true},"primaryTxTree":[[{"taxonomyNodeId":11215,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"code":"TX08","title":"Sensors and Instruments","level":1,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11227,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11215,"code":"TX08.3","title":"In Situ Instruments and Sensors","description":"In situ instruments and sensors include components, sensors, and instruments that are sensitive to fields and particles able to perform in situ characterization of Earth and planetary atmospheres and the space environment and that provide vehicle and habitat monitoring.","level":2,"hasChildren":true,"selected":false,"hasInteriorContent":true},{"taxonomyNodeId":11230,"taxonomyRootId":8817,"parentNodeId":11227,"code":"TX08.3.3","title":"Sample Handling","description":"Sample handling technologies accept samples from the devices gathering them and deliver the samples to the appropriate instrument for analysis. The technologies also seal and store samples to maintain the local environment and separate and prepare samples for chemical analysis while maintaining sample and environmental integrity.","exampleTechnologies":"The rock abrasion tool (RAT), drills, sample return storage units, sample preparation tools","level":3,"hasChildren":false,"selected":true,"hasInteriorContent":true}]],"technologyOutcomes":[{"technologyOutcomeId":351,"projectId":7816,"project":{"projectId":7816,"title":"Improved Rock Core Sample Break-off, Retention and Ejection System, Phase I","startDate":"2009-01-22","startYear":2009,"startMonth":1,"endDate":"2009-07-22","endYear":2009,"endMonth":7,"programId":73,"program":{"ableToSelect":false,"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","isActive":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","parentProgram":{"ableToSelect":false,"isActive":true,"description":"Catalyst is a portfolio of early stage programs that specialize in different innovation constituencies and mechanisms to push the state of the art in aerospace technology development","programId":92327,"responsibleMd":{"canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":""},"title":"Catalyst","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"Catalyst"},"parentProgramId":92327,"programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","acronym":"STMD","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","canUserEdit":false,"locationEdit":false,"organizationRolePretty":"","organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdOffice":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer","manageGaps":false,"acronymOrTitle":"SBIR/STTR"},"description":"The proposed effort advances the design of an innovative core sampling and acquisition system with improved core break-off, retention and ejection features. The proposed innovation employs a different drill tube design in the vicinity of the core that does not impose any loads on the core and does not rotate relative to the core. This novel technique actually envelopes and protects the core as it is generated. The benefits are two fold; first, the integrity of the core is maintained and second, core ejection is much easier which greatly reduces, if not eliminates the risk of the core jamming within the drill tube/bit. These improvements can be obtained without increasing the annulus of the drill bit that would otherwise require more down force, torque, power and bit wear. At the end of the proposed Phase 1 effort, the design of the coring system will be at TRL 4 and by the end of a potential Phase 2, the system will be at TRL 6. ","benefits":"Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The proposed research is expected to have commercial applications for geological studies in the mining and environmental industries. ","releaseStatus":"Released","status":"Completed","destinationType":[],"trlBegin":4,"trlCurrent":4,"trlEnd":4,"favorited":false,"detailedFunding":false,"programContacts":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","email":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Manager","programContactId":194,"programId":73,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Manager","projectContactRolePretty":""},{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","email":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","receiveEmail":"Subscribed_User","programContactRole":"Program_Director","programContactId":143,"programId":73,"programContactRolePretty":"Program Director","projectContactRolePretty":""}],"endDateString":"Jul 2009","startDateString":"Jan 2009"},"technologyOutcomeDate":"2009-07-22","technologyOutcomePath":"Closed_Out","details":"Improved Rock Core Sample Break-off, Retention and Ejection System, Phase I Project Image","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"Project closed out","isIndirect":false,"infusionPretty":"","isBiDirectional":false,"technologyOutcomeDateString":"Jul 2009","technologyOutcomeDateFullString":"July 2009","technologyOutcomePartnerPretty":"","technologyOutcomePathPretty":"Closed Out","technologyOutcomeRationalePretty":""}],"libraryItems":[],"states":[{"abbreviation":"CA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"California","stateTerritoryId":59,"isTerritory":false},{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7,"isTerritory":false}],"endDateString":"Jul 2009","startDateString":"Jan 2009"}}