Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 011120

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is offering FY 2025 Phase II funding under its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs (Assistance Listing/CFDA 10.212). This opportunity is designed to help small U.S. businesses push promising agricultural and food-related innovations beyond early feasibility work and closer to real-world products and services. Phase II specifically supports continued research and development while putting a much stronger spotlight on commercialization, meaning applicants are expected not only to advance the science or engineering, but also to show a credible plan for moving the technology into the private sector and generating market impact.

The broader policy framework comes from the Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR/STTR Policy Directive, which guides how agencies run these programs. The underlying legislative purpose is to stimulate technological innovation, strengthen small business participation in federally supported R&D, and increase the commercialization of innovations that emerge from that R&D. In practical terms, the program is trying to turn research into usable solutions that can compete in the marketplace, contribute to a strong U.S. economy, and reinforce the free enterprise system. For STTR in particular, the emphasis includes technology transfer through formal cooperative research and development partnerships between a small business and a nonprofit research institution, so that discoveries made in labs and universities are more likely to become deployable commercial technologies.

Eligibility is narrowly targeted. Only prior SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II under this specific FY 2025 Request for Applications (RFA). That includes Phase I awardees that have undergone certain administrative changes, such as being listed under a novation agreement or recognized as a successor-in-interest through a revised funding agreement. Beyond having the right Phase I status, the applicant must qualify as a Small Business Concern (SBC) and be properly registered with the SBA for research and R&D purposes at the time of selection. If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline, NIFA can exclude the application from consideration, or even if it is reviewed, eligibility issues can still prevent an award from being made.

The program rules are meant to ensure federal funds go to genuinely small, independent U.S. businesses rather than larger firms or entities that do not meet statutory intent. As a result, requirements focus on the kind of firm applying, how it is owned and controlled, and whether it meets size limits, including restrictions tied to the number of employees. Applicants that are newer to federal funding are encouraged to review NIFA grants process materials, since compliance, registrations, and documentation can affect eligibility and award readiness.

From the funding details provided, this is a mandatory grant opportunity administered by NIFA within the agriculture funding activity category. The opportunity number is USDA NIFA SBIR 011120, and the application deadline (original closing date) is September 23, 2025. The maximum award amount listed is $650,000 per award (award ceiling). The posting date shown is July 16, 2025. While the summary mentions expected awards, the exact number is not provided in the source text excerpt.

  • The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II" 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 2025-07-16.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $650,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 011120

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