If you’re developing a novel technology, finding the right SBIR solicitation isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. No matter how strong your innovation or how polished your proposal, your submission won’t be competitive unless it aligns with a current topic that matches an agency’s research priorities.
Fortunately, with the right tools and search strategies, identifying those opportunities is a process you can systematize. This guide walks you through how to use SBIR.gov, agency-specific portals, and federal databases to pinpoint relevant topics, refine your keyword approach, and track deadlines effectively.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or trying to improve your hit rate, these techniques will help you target the right funding opportunities—and boost your chances of winning.
Start at SBIR.gov: The Central Portal
The best place to begin your search is SBIR.gov. This site aggregates open and upcoming SBIR and STTR solicitations across all participating federal agencies, providing a single destination to browse or search for relevant topics.
The Topic Search tool on SBIR.gov lets you enter keywords related to your technology or area of innovation. For best results, use broad terms first—such as “biomaterials” or “AI”—then refine your search based on the number and quality of matches. Each topic listing includes a summary, a link to the full solicitation, and key dates like release, open, and close deadlines.
You can also filter results by agency, program type (SBIR or STTR), and solicitation status. This helps you quickly identify which opportunities are currently accepting proposals versus those still in pre-release or closed stages.
SBIR awards are not loans—they’re grants or contracts.
This means you must apply only to topics that are currently listed as “open” or “pre-release,” and that align clearly with your innovation.
Go Direct: Agency-Specific SBIR Sites
While SBIR.gov gives you a broad view, serious applicants should also visit individual agency SBIR portals. Each participating agency runs its own SBIR/STTR program with distinct research priorities, topic formats, and timelines. These sites often offer more detailed search tools, guidance documents, and program-specific resources.
For example:
- NIH SBIR allows filtering by institute or research category, making it easier to pinpoint topics that match biomedical or health-related innovations.
- DoD SBIR/STTR is contract-based and organized by components like the Navy, Air Force, or DARPA, with highly specific technical areas.
- NSF SBIR emphasizes high-risk, high-reward innovations and posts broader “technology verticals” rather than narrow solicitations.
- NASA SBIR includes unique mission-driven topics, often tied to flight systems, earth observation, or space exploration.
- DOE SBIR focuses on energy and environmental tech, with an emphasis on feasibility and commercial potential.
Beyond searchable databases, many agency sites host topic webinars, offer example proposals, and provide contact information for program officers.
- NIH
- DoD
- NSF
- NASA
- DOE
Filters by research area and institute; ideal for biomedical tech.
Organized by service branches; emphasizes national defense needs.
Accepts proposals aligned with broad tech categories.
Focuses on space, aviation, and mission-driven innovations.
Energy-focused topics with detailed feasibility criteria.
Expand Your Scope: Grants.gov and SAM.gov
In addition to SBIR.gov and agency-specific portals, two federal databases—Grants.gov and SAM.gov—can help you find relevant solicitations, especially if you’re applying to grant-based or contract-based programs.
Grants.gov is the primary platform for federal grant announcements. While not all SBIR agencies use this portal, those that do (like NIH, NSF, and DOE) post full solicitations and application packages here. Use keyword filters and opportunity numbers to locate relevant entries. Pro tip: check the “Synopsis” for topic details before downloading the full package.
SAM.gov (formerly FedBizOpps) lists federal contract opportunities, including SBIR/STTR solicitations from agencies like DoD and DHS. Unlike Grants.gov, SAM.gov often posts pre-solicitation notices and amendment updates. Filtering by “SBIR” in the search bar, or by NAICS code and agency name, will help you zero in on what’s current.
Both platforms can be clunky, but they’re essential for accessing the full instructions, timelines, and submission portals tied to each funding opportunity.
Reverse-Engineer Relevance: Search Past Awards
One of the smartest ways to refine your SBIR topic search is by looking backward. The SBIR.gov Awards Search tool lets you explore previously funded projects by keyword, agency, year, and more. This can reveal how agencies have historically interpreted broad topic areas—and which types of technologies they’re likely to fund again.
Start by entering technical terms related to your innovation. You can filter results by agency or phase (I or II) to find projects that most resemble your work. Review the abstracts to identify trends in language, use of specific terminology, and agency interest areas. This insight can help you tune your keyword strategy and proposal language when searching or applying.
You can also look up award histories by company name to see how successful applicants have positioned similar technologies in past cycles. This kind of competitive intelligence helps avoid mismatches and can even uncover overlooked opportunities.
Use past awards to shape your keyword list and search approach.
Agencies often reuse language—matching their terminology boosts your chances of finding aligned topics.
Smart Search Strategy: Think Like an Evaluator
Once you’re familiar with the tools, the next step is to refine how you use them. Agencies may describe the same concept in very different ways, so an effective search strategy often means thinking beyond your default terminology.
Start with broad keywords that describe your technology’s function or application area. Then experiment with synonyms, acronyms, or related terms. For instance, if you’re working on drone-based delivery systems, don’t just search for “drones”—try “UAS,” “autonomous aerial,” or “unmanned systems.” Each variation might reveal different topics depending on the agency.
Some platforms, like SBIR.gov and SAM.gov, support advanced search techniques using Boolean logic (AND, OR, NOT). These can help you narrow results or combine terms to find highly relevant matches.
Finally, think like the reviewers. What terms would they use to describe your technology? What problem would they want it to solve? Shifting your perspective this way can surface opportunities that a strict technical search might miss.
Monitor Deadlines and Cycles
Each SBIR-participating agency operates on its own schedule, so keeping track of solicitation timelines is critical. Some, like the Department of Defense, release new topics up to three times per year, while others, like NIH and NSF, have fixed annual or semiannual submission windows.
To stay ahead, use agency email alerts or RSS feeds if available. SBIR.gov also maintains a master calendar of upcoming and open solicitations. Setting calendar reminders for key release and close dates ensures you don’t miss short windows—especially for contract-based topics, which may close quickly.
It’s also smart to keep a simple spreadsheet listing open topics of interest, deadlines, and submission portals. This helps you prioritize opportunities and manage proposal development timelines, especially if you’re targeting multiple agencies or technology domains.