NOTE: Letters of Intent are due January 14, 2025. Only applicants who submitted letters of intent are eligible to submit full proposals.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs encourage U.S. small businesses to engage in high-risk, innovative research and technology development with the potential for future commercialization. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science administers the programs and awards projects in technology areas across the entire department. This effort is part of the larger SBIR program across the federal government, which is administered by the Small Business Administration. Learn more about these programs’ past awards selected by the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO).
SBIR/STTR Phase I awards are up to $200,000 for six months to one year. Details on the topics for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Phase I release of the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) are below.
Topics open to both SBIR and STTR applications:
- Power Electronics Technologies
- Dual-use Photovoltaics (PV) including Agrivoltaics, Building-integrated PV, Floating PV, Photovoltaic-thermal Systems, and Vehicle-integrated PV
- Technologies Enabling Solar-Powered DC Microgrids
- Cybersecurity of Solar Energy Systems
- Distribution Reliability Visibility
- Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Technologies for Gen3 CSP, Commercial CSP (Gen2 CSP), or Concentrated Solar Industrial Process Heat (SIPH)
- Affordability, Reliability, Performance, and Manufacturing of Solar Systems
Topic open to only STTR applications:
- Innovative Software Technologies and Products for Solar Energy Systems
Technical and Business Assistance (TABA)
We encourage applicants to apply for the Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) program, which provides funding for commercialization activities in addition to the STTR research funding. Examples of allowable commercialization services include product sales, intellectual property protections, market research, market validation, development of certifications and regulatory plans, and development of manufacturing plans. If you wish to utilize your own TABA provider(s), you are required to include this as one or more subcontracts or consultants in your budget and to provide a detailed budget justification.
The American-Made Network is a great resource for finding TABA providers and vendors with specific expertise in solar energy. The Network helps accelerate solar innovations through a diverse and powerful group of entities that includes national laboratories, energy incubators, investors, prototyping and testing facilities, and other industry partners from across the United States who engage, connect, mentor, and amplify the efforts of small businesses. The Network can help companies solve pressing technology challenges, forge connections, and advance potentially game-changing ideas and innovations.
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