Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 006365
The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is a discretionary grant program designed to help small businesses test and validate early-stage innovations. Phase I awards are specifically meant to demonstrate the scientific or technical feasibility of a proposed concept or approach, essentially supporting proof-of-conofcept work that shows the idea can function as intended and has a credible pathway toward further development.
The program emphasizes research and development that aligns with USDA priorities for strengthening agriculture and related systems while supporting a broader vision of a healthy and productive nation that remains in balance with land, air, and water resources. While the SBIR topics are flexible, the solicitation explicitly encourages proposals connected to agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies. That encouragement applies across all SBIR topic areas, signaling that USDA is interested in innovations that can improve agricultural production and processing, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and expand sustainable energy solutions relevant to rural and agricultural contexts.
This is a long-running federal innovation program with a strong track record. USDA notes that it has funded more than 2,000 research and development projects since 1983. The program is structured to give small businesses the chance to explore and de-risk new technologies and, importantly, to create incentives for commercialization. In practice, that means the agency is not only interested in research results but also in whether an innovation can realistically move into the marketplace and deliver measurable benefits to agriculture, producers, consumers, and associated industries.
Key administrative details from the listing include that the opportunity is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under the discretionary category, with activity areas spanning Agriculture and Science and Technology/other R&D. The CFDA number associated with the program is 10.212. The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SBIR 006365, and the original application closing date shown is October 5, 2017. Eligibility is summarized in the notice as "Others," with the solicitation directing applicants to Part III, A. of the RFA for the specific eligibility requirements, which is where the formal criteria for qualifying applicants (including what counts as an eligible small business under SBIR rules) would be defined.
Overall, this Phase I SBIR opportunity is aimed at helping eligible small businesses produce early technical validation for innovative agricultural or agriculture-adjacent technologies, with a clear expectation that successful projects will be positioned to advance toward commercialization and potentially later-stage development beyond Phase I.Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 006365
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Innovation Research Program - Phase I" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.212.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-07-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the USDA NIFA SBIR Phase I opportunity?
It is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is described as a discretionary grant program intended to help small businesses test and validate early-stage innovations.
What is the main goal of SBIR Phase I funding in this program?
Phase I awards are meant to demonstrate the scientific or technical feasibility of a proposed concept or approach. In practical terms, it supports proof-of-concept work to show the idea can function as intended and has a credible pathway toward further development.
What types of projects does this opportunity aim to support?
The opportunity emphasizes research and development that aligns with USDA priorities for strengthening agriculture and related systems, while supporting a broader vision of a healthy and productive nation that stays in balance with land, air, and water resources.
Does the solicitation encourage any specific technology areas?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly encourages proposals connected to agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies. This encouragement applies across all SBIR topic areas.
Are SBIR topics limited to only agriculture production?
Based on the notice, topics are described as flexible, with an emphasis on innovations that can improve agricultural production and processing, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and expand sustainable energy solutions relevant to rural and agricultural contexts.
Is commercialization important for this USDA SBIR Phase I program?
Yes. USDA highlights that the program is structured to create incentives for commercialization. The agency is interested not only in research results, but also whether an innovation can realistically move into the marketplace and deliver measurable benefits to agriculture, producers, consumers, and associated industries.
What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The listing identifies the funding instrument type as a Grant.
Is this a discretionary or mandatory grant program?
The listing describes it as a discretionary grant program.
What activity areas does the opportunity cover?
The activity areas listed include Agriculture and Science and Technology/other R&D.
Who administers this SBIR Phase I program?
The program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number listed for the program is 10.212.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number shown is USDA NIFA SBIR 006365.
What is the application closing date shown in the listing?
The original application closing date shown is October 5, 2017.
Who is eligible to apply based on the notice?
Eligibility is summarized in the notice as "Others." The solicitation directs applicants to Part III, A. of the RFA for the specific eligibility requirements, including the formal criteria for qualifying applicants (and what counts as an eligible small business under SBIR rules).
Where are the detailed eligibility requirements located?
The notice indicates that the specific eligibility requirements are provided in Part III, A. of the RFA (Request for Applications).
What is the expected outcome of a successful Phase I project?
A successful Phase I project is expected to produce early technical validation (proof-of-concept feasibility) and be positioned to advance toward commercialization, with the potential for later-stage development beyond Phase I.
How long has USDA been funding projects through this SBIR program?
USDA notes that it has funded more than 2,000 research and development projects since 1983, indicating the program has been operating since at least that year.
How does USDA describe the broader purpose of the program?
The program is positioned as supporting innovations that strengthen agriculture and related systems, while contributing to a healthy and productive nation in balance with land, air, and water resources.
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