NSF Seeks Input on SBIR/STTR Pre-Award Forms Again
Published Date: 11/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is asking for public feedback on a new form small businesses must fill out before applying for SBIR/STTR grants. This helps NSF gather important info to make sure the process runs smoothly without adding extra hassle. Comments are open for 30 days, so small businesses and others should speak up soon to help shape the rules!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New Pre‑Award Form for SBIR/STTR
If your startup is being considered for an NSF SBIR/STTR award, you (the PI) will be asked to complete a one-time pre-award form for each proposal (Phase I and Phase II, if applicable). NSF estimates up to 1,000 respondents annually, with an average time of 15 minutes per response and total estimated burden of 250 hours per year; comments on the collection are open for 30 days from publication.
Information Used for Due Diligence and Reporting
NSF will collect company officer names, ownership status, affiliations, personal/financial/professional relationships among project personnel, and facility locations and will use the data for due diligence, auditing, and legal purposes. Summaries of the collected data may be used to respond to Congress, the Small Business Administration, the public, NSF external reviewers (including Committees of Visitors), and NSF's Office of the Inspector General.
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