NASA Technology Developers

What are the NASA SBIR and STTR Programs?

NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs are a three phased approach for the small business concern or research institution to develop a technology in response to a specific set of NASA mission driven needs as presented in the NASA SBIR/STTR Annual Solicitation. Please check out the NASA SBIR/STTR schedule for important dates.

I conduct research and development, can the NASA SBIR/STTR Program help me?

You may search for SBIR/STTR developed technologies that may meet your need by accessing the Abstract/Archives Gateway or Success Stories. This information will provide you with the name of the small business or research institution that developed the technology and provide contact information. The intellectual property as a result of the technical development is resident with the small business concern.

Alternatively, a NASA scientist or researcher with a desire to participate in the development of a specific technology through NASA's SBIR/STTR program is able to work with the specific NASA Field Center sponsoring the topic or subtopic listed in the NASA SBIR/STTR Annual Solicitation. Subtopic conception, composition, and development is done by program managers and researchers at the various NASA Field Centers. Each subtopic is coordinated through a NASA Mission Directorate and is directed towards a specific mission need.

What can I expect from participating in this program?

Each small business concern or research institution negotiates a contract with a specific list of deliverables. Visit the NASA SBIR/STTR Firms Library to view samples of the kinds of deliverables required for each phase of a contract.

The government contracting officers technical representative (COTR) assigned to each contract awarded may designate technologists, primarily from within NASA, that will be given access to technical reports. These individuals will act as advisors, and can help provide insight, based on NASA's needs and missions, to the technical development of the technology. If you are interested in participating in the development of the technology through this avenue, please contact the Field Center Program Manager for assistance.

How can I participate in the development of the technology?

The NASA SBIR/STTR program uses an internet system called an Electronic Handbooks for all submissions and program management. If you are a potential technology developer, you can become an advisor thru the NASA SBIR/STTR Advisor Handbook. This will enable you to obtain access to technical reports and propose suggestions to the government Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) assigned to each contract. If you are interested in participating in the development of the technology through this avenue, please contact the Field Center Program Manager for assistance.

A NASA scientist or researcher with a desire to participate in the development of a specific technology through NASA's SBIR/STTR program is able to work with the specific NASA Field Center sponsoring the topic or subtopic listed in the NASA SBIR/STTR Annual Solicitation. Subtopic conception, composition, and development is done by program managers and researchers at the various NASA Field Centers. The Field Center Program Manager can provide information regarding developing a new technology need into a specific mission need in partnership with a NASA Mission Directorate. Please review the Subtopics in the Solicitation for information regarding similar technologies and contact the Field Center Program Manager responsible for that type of technical development.