How to Apply for an SBIR Contract

Use this guide to learn more about the program and guide you through the EPA SBIR application process.

On this page:

• Getting Started
• Topics
• Registration Requirements
• Proposal Submission
• Required Forms for Applicants
• Review Process
• Human Subjects
• Awards Timeline

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Getting Started

Develop an Innovative Environmental Technology Idea

Have an innovation that can be commercialized? Consider applying for an EPA SBIR contract. Given EPA's modest budget, proposals must be responsive to the specific topics listed in the annual solicitation. 

Eligibility Requirements

Learn about the eligibility requirements by visiting the Small Business Administration SBIR website.

FAQs

Read through the FAQs on the Small Business Administration SBIR website.

Topics

Topic areas change from year to year. The topics for the closed 2024-2025 Phase I solicitation are listed below.  

2024-2025 EPA SBIR Topics

CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

• Nature-based Solutions for Water Reuse
• Technologies for the Treatment of PFAS in Wastewater Sewage Sludge and Biosolids
• Treatment for Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water at the Household Scale

AIR QUALITY & CLIMATE

• Technologies and Tools to Monitor and Reduce Air Toxics Exposures 
• Air Pollution Control Technologies for Small Sources

HOMELAND SECURITY

• Scenario-Based Training for Disaster Response

CIRCULAR ECONOMY/SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

• Preventing and Recycling Food Waste 
• Source Reduction and Reuse
• Lowering Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment

SAFER CHEMICALS

• Rubber Anti-Degradants that are Lower Concern for Human Health and the Environment
• Next Generation Fertilizers

Registration Requirements

There are multiple registrations required prior to submitting an EPA SBIR proposal. The registration process may take 6 – 8 weeks, so it’s important to start early. 

• Employer Identification Number (EIN) – The EPA requires the EIN number prior to the issuance of a funding award. The EIN base for the organization is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Identification (ID) number, for individuals it is their social security number, both of which are nine-digit numbers.
• System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active SAM registration, which requires renewal at least annually. Please note, the renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. Note that EPA SBIR awards are made as contracts so please ensure your SAM profile allows for the award of "contracts" or "all awards".
  • For help, please contact the SAM Help Desk.
• Unique Entity Identifier Number (UEI) – As of April 4, 2022, the federal government has stopped using DUNS numbers to identify entities. All small businesses are now required to use the UEI assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). All current SAM.gov registrants have been assigned their UEI and can view them on SAM.gov. Click SAM.gov for more information. 
• FedConnect.net EXIT – FedConnect is the web portal that EPA uses for proposal submission and companies must be registered with FedConnect to submit a proposal.
• SBA Company Registry – All applicants are required to register at the SBA Company Registry prior to proposal submission and include their SBC Control ID with their proposal.

Proposal Submission

Submit to FedConnect EXIT
Proposals must be received via FedConnect through the response function by the required deadline. 

Help with FedConnect:

Registration and proposal instructions are found in the SBIR Phase I Solicitation. Also, check out the FedConnect Ready, Set, Go! EXIT to guide you through the registration process.

Please contact FedConnect support EXIT if you have problems:
Toll-free: (800) 899-6665
Email: support@fedconnect.net
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time (except for federal holidays)

Required Forms for Applicants

Most forms for applicants can be found on the Required Forms Page.

Review Process

Internal and External Reviewers will Evaluate Your Proposal based on the following criteria:

• Technical review criteria (1/3 of overall score):
  • Technical approach
  • Company/Team (technical)
• Relevancy review criteria (1/3 of overall score):
  • Impact/Relevance to topic
• Commercial review criteria (1/3 of overall score):
  • Innovation/Intellectual property
  • Market opportunity
  • Company/Team (Commercial)
  • Commercialization approach

Proposals are ranked based on these escores. Programmatic balance, Agency priorities, and available funding may also be used in the selection process.

Human Subjects

Research that involves human subjects may be subject to additional regulations found in 40 CFR 26 as well as other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Research will be considered to involve human subjects under 40 CFR 26 if the research obtains information or biospecimens (1) through intervention or interaction with human subject(s), and/or obtains data (2) through using, studying, analyzing, or generating identifiable private information.

Note that survey research can constitute one category of human subjects research.  Any time researchers administer a survey, questionnaire, or other data collection instrument, they are interacting with human subjects.  

Unless exempt under 40 CFR 26.104, human subject research must adhere to the regulations of 40 CFR 26, which includes review and approval of the research by a federally approved Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Due to the short timeframe associated with Phase I of the SBIR process, EPA does not recommend the submission of Phase I offers that require the use of human subjects research. For example, the ability to obtain IRB approval for offers that involve human subjects can take 6-12 months, and that lengthy process can be at odds with the Phase I six-month period of performance.

Awards Timeline

Small businesses will be notified via FedConnect once funding decisions have been made. If a proposal is not funded, the applicant can request feedback on their proposal.

Proof of Concept for 6 Months - $100,000 (Phase I)

• The objective of Phase I is to establish the technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential of the proposed technology prior to further federal support in Phase II. 
• Typically start early December.

Development & Commercialization for 2 Years - $400,000 (Phase II)

• Funding is based on the results achieved in Phase I, the technical merit, and commercial potential and impact of the technology. 

• Typically start in mid October.

Further Funding - $100,000

• To accelerate commercialization, EPA offers a “commercialization option” of up to $100,000 in Phase II for companies that secure third-party investment.