The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science has announced its FY 2025 Phase I Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This opportunity encompasses both Phase I and Fast-Track grants, aimed at supporting innovative research and development (R&D) conducted by U.S. small businesses. The expected total funding available is approximately $65 million, which will support about 260 awards. Individual Phase I awards are capped at $200,000 or $250,000, depending on the topic, with project periods ranging from 6 to 12 months. Fast-Track awards, which combine Phase I and Phase II funding, have higher caps of $1.3 million or $1.85 million and may extend up to 36 months. The anticipated start date for all projects is July 8, 2025.

The SBIR and STTR programs are designed to stimulate technological innovation, increase private-sector commercialization of federally funded research, and encourage participation by small businesses, including those that are woman-owned or minority-owned. While SBIR permits optional collaboration, STTR requires mandatory cooperative research between the small business and a single research institution. The programs seek to address critical scientific and engineering challenges, with a focus on commercializing outcomes to benefit the DOE's mission in energy, environment, and national security.

Eligible applicants are small businesses that are U.S.-based, organized for profit, and independently owned and operated. Specific ownership and size requirements must be met, including a maximum of 500 employees. Additional eligibility considerations include benchmarks for transitioning between Phase I and Phase II and commercialization rates. Applicants may apply under SBIR, STTR, or both, provided the eligibility requirements for each are met. Collaborative projects, such as those with DOE National Laboratories or research institutions, are permissible under certain conditions, though conflicts of interest must be disclosed and addressed.

Applications require a Letter of Intent (LOI) and must address a specific topic and subtopic as detailed in the FOA. The DOE will assess applications for scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with DOE's mission objectives. For Phase I, the primary focus is on proof of concept and technical feasibility, while Fast-Track applications must demonstrate a high potential for commercialization with clear milestones for both phases. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals early and ensure compliance with all submission requirements.

Evaluation criteria emphasize the quality of the proposed research, the capability of the team, and the potential for commercialization. Cost sharing is not required but may be considered during the evaluation. Proposals must include all mandatory documentation as outlined in the FOA. Failure to comply with eligibility or submission guidelines may result in administrative rejection without review.

Key dates include an informational webinar on January 2, 2025, and a Q&A webinar on January 3, 2025. Applicants are urged to review the FOA and related documents on the DOE SBIR/STTR website for specific instructions, eligibility criteria, and available topics. Applicants new to the DOE programs may access Phase 0 assistance to help complete their applications. For questions, DOE contacts and resources are available through Grants.gov and the DOE’s Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS).