ActiveAtlas Opportunity Score 90/100
NSF 26-510 — SBIR/STTR Developing Deep Technologies
Active NSF SBIR/STTR opportunity for qualifying U.S. small businesses developing high-risk technologies. Next full-proposal deadline is November 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM submitting-organization local time. Strong N9+ direct-pursuit potential where a real technical R&D problem is being solved.
FundingApproximately $210 million anticipated across mechanisms. Phase I up to $305,000; Phase II up to $1.25 million; Fast-Track up to $1,555,555, subject to program rules and availability of funds.
DeadlineNovember 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM local time of the submitting organization. Additional recurring deadlines are listed in NSF 26-510.
Last verifiedSeptember 29, 2026
Required next actionDefine a genuine technical R&D risk and commercialization thesis, confirm SBIR/STTR small-business and PI eligibility, submit the required NSF Project Pitch early enough to receive an invitation, and prepare the full proposal in Research.gov for the November 4, 2026 deadline at 5:00 p.m. in the submitting organization's local time.
Broad Eligibility
Proposals may only be submitted by qualifying small business concerns. Phase I and Fast-Track require an official invitation following an NSF Project Pitch. STTR also requires a nonprofit research-institution partner. Specific PI effort, ownership, size, research-security, and submission requirements apply.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score 90/100. Current NSF SBIR/STTR funding supports high-risk technical research and development by qualifying small businesses across a broad range of technology areas. The program is not a procurement pathway; proposals must present meaningful technical R&D uncertainty, broader impacts and commercial potential. Phase I applicants must first receive an invitation through the NSF Project Pitch process before submitting a full proposal.
The U.S. National Science Foundation is accepting proposals under NSF 26-510 for its relaunched SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II, and Fast-Track programs supporting high-risk R&D by eligible U.S. small businesses.
Next deadline: November 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM local time of the submitting organization. NSF anticipates approximately 340 awards across program mechanisms and approximately $210 million in total program funding, subject to availability. Phase I awards may be up to $305,000; Phase II up to $1.25 million; Fast-Track up to $1,555,555.
Atlas fit: Strong direct Dr. Miltie candidate only where the proposal addresses genuine technical R&D risk and advances an innovative N9+ or related healthcare technology, not ordinary sales, deployment, or commercialization activity. Phase I and Fast-Track applicants must first submit an NSF Project Pitch and receive an official invitation.
Only qualifying small business concerns may submit. Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Direct pursuit should proceed only after independently confirming Dr. Miltie’s current SBIR/STTR eligibility, PI employment/effort requirements, registrations, and a defensible technical R&D scope.
From Funding to Implementation · Virtual Care Solution
Give technology funding a clinically meaningful use case.
Dr. Miltie N9+ supports up to nine clinician-directed remote examinations and connected-care workflows, helping organizations move from generic telehealth infrastructure toward a more complete virtual exam model.
Source verificationOfficial government source · www.nsf.govAtlas last verified this record September 29, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
