NSF Wants Your Take on Pitching Wild Ideas for Funding
Published Date: 3/31/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is asking for public feedback on a form used by small businesses applying for their SBIR and STTR Phase I programs and the Fast-Track Pilot. This form helps NSF gather project ideas before official submissions, aiming to make the process smoother and clearer. If you’re a small business innovator, now’s the time to weigh in—comments are open for 30 days and could shape how you pitch your next big idea!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Required NSF SBIR/STTR Project Pitch Form
If you are a small business applying to NSF SBIR or STTR Phase I or the Fast-Track Pilot, you must submit a secure web-based Project Pitch that collects company and team information, the proposed technology innovation, technical objectives and challenges, market opportunity, and a topic-area selection so NSF directs the pitch to the appropriate Program Director.
Estimated Time Burden for Applicants
NSF estimates the Project Pitch will take 2 hours per response, with an estimated 15,000 annual respondents and a total annual burden of 30,000 hours.
Fast-Track Pilot: Extra Eligibility Questions
For SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Pilot Project Pitches, the form also requires responses to three key eligibility items: NSF lineage, customer-discovery experience, and confirmation that team members are currently employed by the company.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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