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2

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speakers are presenting.

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are made available online.

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3
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4
Polling Questions

1. How did you learn about this webinar? 

a. OSBP Website

b. Constant Contact

c. Social Media 

d. Eventbrite email

e. Other

2. Is this the first webinar hosted by the NASA Office of Small Business Programs that you 

have attended?

a. YES 

b. NO

5
Polling Questions Cont.

3. Which of the following classifications applies to your institution/organization/company? 

a. Small Business (SB)

b. Large Business (LB)/Other than Small Business (OTS)

c. Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

d. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)

e. Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

f. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

g. Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)

h. 8(a) Business Development Program Participant (8a)

i. Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCU)

j. Minority-Serving Institution (MSI)

k. Nonprofit or Community-based Organization

l. Federal Government Agency/Department

m. State or Local Government Agency/Department

n. Small Disadvantage Business (SDB)

o. Other

6
Polling Questions Cont.

4. Have you done business with NASA? (More than one answer can be applicable)

a. Prime Contractor

b. Subcontractor

c. NASA Mentor-Protégé Program 

d. Space Act Agreement

e. Grant or Cooperative Agreement Recipient 

f. I have not done business with or received funding from NASA

5. What are some of the barriers to entry when doing business with NASA?

7
Our Mission

The mission of the NASA Office of Small Business Programs is to promote 

and integrate small businesses into the industrial base of contractors and 

subcontractors that support the future of space exploration, scientific 

discovery, and aeronautics research.
About the NASA 

Office of Small Business Programs

9

• NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) primary mission since its inception has been to 

increase the representation of small businesses in NASA’s contracting efforts. 

• Headquartered in Washington, D.C., OSBP is under the leadership of Associate Administrator Glenn A. 

Delgado and Deputy Associate Administrator Robert Medina. 

• INCLUSION - OSBP efforts encompass all federally recognized socio-economic small business categories and we 

work hard to make sure each type of business gets a fair chance to work with NASA. 

• GROWTH - Since 1979, OSBP has grown from only 4 civil servants and 3 contractors, to over 21 civil servants 

and over 6 support contractors -- all of which are small businesses. 

• ADVOCACY - OSBP continues to advocate for small businesses and amplify the important role they play in 

supporting NASA’s mission to explore the universe. 

• EDUCATION - The NASA OSBP webinar series offers in-depth training relevant to small businesses; and provide 

the opportunity to ask questions directly to key points of contacts at the Agency.
Meet the Speaker 

10

Maggie Yancey

Entrepreneurship Lead

NASA Science and Space Technology Mission Directorates

Maggie Yancey is the Entrepreneurship Lead for NASA’s 

Science (SMD) and Space Technology Mission Directorates 

(STMD), she is currently working to advance commercialization 

opportunities for current and future NASA entrepreneurs in 

academia. Before NASA, Maggie was at the U.S. Department 

of Energy in the Wind Energy Technologies Office and lead the 

Community Impacts Research and Outreach portfolio working 

on climate change challenges connecting small businesses, 

entrepreneurs, and communities to wind energy innovation 

opportunities on both land and water for the U.S. She started 

her Federal career as a 2015 Presidential Management Fellow.
Early Stage Innovations and Partnerships

Leadership Team Meeting

NASA OSBP Briefing

Space Technology Mission Directorate

August 16, 2023 11
Ensuring American Global Leadership in Space Technology

Technology Drives the Space Economy

Ensuring American Global Leadership in Space Technology

Technology Drives Exploration 12
13

SPACE TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO

EARLY STAGE INNOVATION

AND PARTNERSHIPS

• Early Stage Innovation

• Space Tech Research Grants 

• Center Innovation Fund

• Early Career Initiative

• Prizes, Challenges & Crowdsourcing

• NASA Innovation Advanced Concepts

• Technology Transfer

SBIR/STTR 

PROGRAMS

• Small Business Innovation 

Research

• Small Business 

Technology Transfer

TECHNOLOGY 

MATURATION

• Game Changing 

Development

• Lunar Surface 

Innovation Initiative

TECHNOLOGY 

DEMONSTRATION

• Technology Demonstration Missions

• Small Spacecraft Technology

• Flight Opportunities

1

Early Stage Innovation and Partnerships Portfolio
14

STMD Strategic Framework

Lead Thrusts Outcomes Primary Capabilities

Transforming Space Missions

Go

Rapid, Safe, and 

Efficient Space 

Transportation

• Develop nuclear technologies enabling fast in-space transits.

• Develop cryogenic storage, transport, and fluid management technologies for surface and in-space 

applications.

• Develop advanced propulsion technologies that enable future science/exploration missions.

• Nuclear Systems

• Cryogenic Fluid Management

• Advanced Propulsion

Ensuring American 

global leadership in 

Space Technology

Land

Expanded Access to 

Diverse Surface 

Destinations

• Enable Lunar/Mars global access with ~20t payloads to support human missions.

• Enable science missions entering/transiting planetary atmospheres and landing on planetary bodies.

• Develop technologies to land payloads within 50 meters accuracy and avoid landing hazards. 

• Entry, Descent, Landing, & Precision 

Landing

• Advance US space technology 

innovation and competitiveness 

in a global context

• Encourage technology driven 

economic growth with an 

emphasis on the expanding 

space economy

• Inspire and develop a diverse 

and powerful US aerospace 

technology community

Live

Sustainable Living 

and Working 

Farther from Earth

• Develop exploration technologies and enable a vibrant space economy with supporting utilities and 

commodities

• Sustainable power sources and other surface utilities to enable continuous lunar and Mars surface 

operations.

• Scalable ISRU production/utilization capabilities including sustainable commodities on the lunar & 

Mars surface. 

• Technologies that enable surviving the extreme lunar and Mars environments.

• Autonomous excavation, construction & outfitting capabilities targeting landing 

pads/structures/habitable buildings utilizing in situ resources.

• Enable long duration human exploration missions with Advanced Habitation System technologies. 

[Low TRL STMD; Mid-High TRL SOMD/ESDMD] 

• Advanced Power

• In-Situ Resource Utilization

• Advanced Thermal

• Advanced Materials, Structures, & 

Construction

• Advanced Habitation Systems

Explore

Transformative 

Missions and 

Discoveries

• Develop next generation high performance computing, communications, and navigation.

• Develop advanced robotics and spacecraft autonomy technologies to enable and augment 

science/exploration missions.

• Develop technologies supporting emerging space industries including: Satellite Servicing & Assembly, 

In Space/Surface Manufacturing, and Small Spacecraft technologies.

• Develop vehicle platform technologies supporting new discoveries. 

• Develop technologies for science instrumentation supporting new discoveries. [Low TRL STMD/MidHigh TRL SMD. SMD funds mission specific instrumentation (TRL 1-9)]

• Develop transformative technologies that enable future NASA or commercial missions and discoveries

• Advanced Avionics Systems

• Advanced Communications & 

Navigation

• Advanced Robotics

• Autonomous Systems

• Satellite Servicing & Assembly

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Small Spacecraft

• Rendezvous, Proximity Operations & 

Capture

• Sensor & Instrumentation

STMD rapidly develops, demonstrates, and transfers revolutionary, high pay-off space technologies, driven by diverse ideas

Read more at techport.nasa.gov
Technology Focus Areas

• In-situ resource utilization

• Surface power

• Dust mitigation

• Extreme environment

• Extreme access

• Excavation and construction

LSII Representation

15

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab serves as the LSII integrator and manages the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium 

(LSIC). LSIC Fall Meeting will be online and in person Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA & Hybrid on 

October 10-11, 2023. ABSTRACTS DUE AUGUST 18!

Has engaged 600 organizations across 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico to advance the technologies needed to explore the lunar 

surface, sustainably, in new ways and stimulate a lunar surface economy. 

lsic.jhuapl.edu

Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII)

15
16
17

Our Story

ESIP’s mission is to empower a community of innovators pioneering 

aerospace research and transformative technology ventures to enable 

NASA’s mission and invigorate our economic future. Each ESIP Program 

taps into powerful communities of innovators from different places – small 

business, universities, NASA researchers, the general public. It balances 

the spearheading of aerospace research with the encouragement of 

commercialization through ventures. 

The Early Stage Innovations and Partnerships 

Portfolio (ESIP) was created to give more support to 

the important work of STMD’s / NASA’s early stage 

technology development and tech commercialization 

Programs, increasing their value and impact. 
The Early-Stage Innovation and Partnerships (ESIP) Portfolio empowers a community of innovators pioneering aerospace research and transformative 

technology ventures. It enables NASA’s mission and invigorates our economic future. Working together, ESIP amplifies the value and impact of STMD’s and 

NASA’s early-stage technology development and tech commercialization programs. Each of ESIP’s programs and activities play an important role in this work.

Nurtures visionary ideas 

that could transform future 

NASA missions by engaging 

America’s innovators and 

entrepreneurs as partners in 

the journey.

NASA Innovative 

Advanced Concepts

Challenges the spectrum of 

academic researchers to 

making science, space 

travel, and exploration more 

effective, affordable, and 

sustainable.

Space Tech 

Research Grants

Stimulate and encourage 

creativity and innovation 

within the NASA Centers

and Early Career leaders.

Center Innovation 

Fund / Early Career 

Initiative 

Makes opportunities 

available for public 

participation in NASA 

research and technology 

solutions to support.

Prizes, Challenges, 

& Crowdsourcing

Engages small businesses, 

research institutions, and 

entrepreneurs in technology 

R&D that meet NASA needs 

and could be 

commercialized.

Small Business 

Innovation Research / 

Small Business 

Technology Transfer

T2

Ensures that innovations 

developed for exploration 

and discovery are 

maximizing the benefit to 

the Nation and enabling 

spinoffs.

Technology 

Transfer

NIAC STRG CIF/ECI PCC SBIR/STTR

------------------Cross -Cutting Activities and Early Innovations (~10 investment projects)------

Early Stage Innovation and Commerce (ESIC) • Inclusive Innovation • I-Corps and Entrepreneurial Projects 

30+ grants 

annually

300+ grants with 

dozens of 

universities

~140 projects 

across NASA 

Centers 

>40

Activities

>500 contracts with 

hundreds of small 

businesses

>1,500 Active 

Patents & 

>700 Licenses

What We Do

18
How We Do Business

Through contracts, grants, internal research and development awards, and public prize competitions 

and challenges, ESIP programs assemble a diverse portfolio of ambitious, risk-informed technology 

investments. ESIP also invest in tools and processes to enable infusion and commercialization of that 

research, ultimately supporting US economic growth. ESIP and its programs are defined by a culture of 

experimentation and learning. The portfolio believes in the power of trial and error: of making bets in support 

of superlative innovation. 

Contracts Grants Internal R&D 

Awards

Challenges

19
ESIP Portfolio of Solicitations/ Activities Title Solicitation/ 

Activity Type Topic/Open Frequency Applicant / Audience

Size ($ max)

(based on 

lifecycle $)

Volume of Annual 

Awards

NIAC

NASA Innovative Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC) Phase I

Government, 

Industry, 

Academia

NASA Innovative Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC) Phase II

NIAC Phase I 

Awardees

NASA Innovative Advanced 

Concepts (NIAC) Phase III

NIAC Phase II 

Awardees

CIF/ECI

Center Innovation Fund (CIF) NASA Centers

Early Career Initiative (ECI)

NASA Early 

Career 

Researchers

STRG

NASA Space Technology 

Graduate Research 

Opportunities (NSTGRO)

Graduate 

Students, US 

Universities

Early Career Faculty (ECF)

Early Career 

Faculty at US 

Universities

Early Stage Innovations (ESI) US Universities

Lunar Surface Technology 

Research (LuSTR) 

Opportunities

US Universities

Space Technology Research 

Institutes (STRI)** US Universities

Open

Open Medium

Open

Small

Large

Grant / Internal 

Awards

Few

Few

Annual Few

Annual

Annual

Internal Awards Open Annual Small Many

Grant / Internal 

Awards

Many

Few

Few

Few

Grant

Grant

Grant

Grant

Grant

Open

Topic

Topic

Topic

Topic

Small

Medium

Medium

Large

Large Few

Annual

Annual

Annual

Annual*

Every Other 

Year

20

Contracts

Internal Awards Open Annual Large Few

Size Legend: Small: <$500k, Med: $500k-$1M, Large: >$1M) Volume Legend: Few: <20, Medium: 20-50, Many: >50) **Every-Other Year Cycle
ESIP Portfolio of Solicitations/ Activities Title Solicitation/ 

Activity Type Topic/Open Frequency Applicant / Audience

Size ($ max)

(based on 

lifecycle $)

Volume of Annual 

Awards

I-Corps

NASA Innovation Corps (ICorps) Pilot

Academia / 

Higher-Ed / 

Non-Profit 

Research 

Institutions

SBIR/STTR***

SBIR/STTR Phase I Small 

Businesses

SBIR Phase II SBIR Phase I 

Awardees

STTR Phase II STTR Phase I 

Awardees

SBIR Ignite Phase I Small 

Businesses

SBIR Ignite Phase II

SBIR Ignite 

Phase I 

Awardees

SBIR/STTR Sequentials

SBIR/STTR 

Phase II 

Awardees

CCRPP SBIR Phase II 

Awardees

Size Legend: Small: <$500k, Med: $500k-$1M, Large: >$1M) Volume Legend: Few: <20, Medium: 20-50, Many: >50) ***Universities are required partners for STTRs

Grant Open Open Small Few

Contracts

Contracts

Contracts

Contracts

Topic

Topic

Topic

Topic

Many

Many

Few

Few

Few

Large

Large

Small

Medium

Annual

Annual

Annual

Annual

Annual

Contracts Topic Annual Medium Medium

Contracts Topic Annual Medium Few

Small

Open

21

Contracts
ESIP Portfolio of Solicitations/ Activities Title Solicitation/ 

Activity Type Topic/Open Frequency Applicant / Audience

Size ($ max)

(based on 

lifecycle $)

Volume of Annual 

Awards

SBIR/STTR***SBIR/STTR Phase II – E

SBIR/STTR 

Phase II 

Awardees

SBIR I-Corps SBIR Awardees

SBIR/STTR Phase III Phase I/Phase 

II Awardees

PCC

Crowdsourcing Contenders NASA 

Employees

NASA@WORK Projects NASA 

Employees

NTL Projects Public

Centennial Challenge Projects Public

Tech TransferInvention Disclosure Internal 

Audience

Software Release

External and 

Internal 

Audiences

Patent Licensing Industry

Size Legend: Small: <$500k, Med: $500k-$1M, Large: >$1M) Volume Legend: Few: <20, Medium: 20-50, Many: >50) ***Universities are required partners for STTRs

Invention 

Disclosure Open Ad-Hoc N/A N/A

Software 

Release

Patent 

Licensing

Open

Open

Ad-Hoc

Ad-Hoc

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Small

Prize Topic Large

Many

Few

Topic Varies

Few

Crowdsourcing Many

Annual

Open

Open

Ad-Hoc

Internal Awards

Topic

Open

N/A

Prizes, 

Challenges, 

Crowdsourcing

Contracts Open Open Small Medium

N/A N/A Open N/A N/A

Contracts Open Annual Small Medium

22
NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov

NASA.gov/Solve

23
24

I-Corps Pilot Overview

Are you ready for your innovation to take off? 

Join NASA’s Innovation Corps Pilot today 

Apply to participate in an immersive entrepreneurship training 

designed to help you take your idea from the lab to the 

marketplace. The opportunity is designed for not-for-profit 

entities, such as academia & nonprofit research institutions. 

Build your capabilities through the NASA 

Innovation Corps:

• Informed decision-making to facilitate research and/or 

technology transitions and new NASA funding opportunities

• Facilitated focus and inspiration on the commercial 

potential of proposed research and/or technology

• Advanced workforce development opportunities in science 

missions and space technology by preparing students with a 

foundational education in entrepreneurship

• Enhanced entrepreneurial mindsets

Interested in exploring potential 

customers? Form your team and 

apply today for a $10k grant to 

support your team & customer 

discovery. Subsequent funding up to

$40k will also be available. 

Easy lift proposal - 6 pages or less -

due to NSPIRES by: 

• September 8, 2023

• January 26, 2024

• March 29, 2024

Stay Connected

Create a NSPIRES account and 

subscribe to the newsletters for 

reminders and updates and read the 

full solicitation for the most accurate 

and up-to-date information.
Sites and Contacts Do you have a commercially-viable tech idea?

STMD Solicitations & Funding Opportunities: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations

STMD Programs: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/programs

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts

Acting Program Executive, Michael LaPointe: michael.r.lapointe@nasa.gov, hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov

Space Technology Research Grants

Program Executive, Matt Deans: matthew.c.deans-1@nasa.gov 

Prizes, Challenges and Crowdsourcing

Program Executive, Amy Kaminski: amy.p.kaminski@nasa.gov

Technology Transfer 

Program Executive, Dan Lockney: daniel.p.lockney@nasa.gov

SBIR/STTR

Program Executives, Jason Kessler, Gynelle Steele and Damian Taylor: sbir@reisystems.com

Innovation Corps

Crosscut Lead, Maggie Yancey Margaret.a.Yancey@nasa.gov

Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium 

Technical Communications Specialist, Andrea Harman: ams573@alumni.psu.edu, SES-LSIC-Web@jhuapl.edu

25
Meet the Speaker 

26

Dina Salazar

Program Specialist

NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

Dina Salazar joined NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research 

and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program 

in 2017. Dina is currently serving as the Phase I/II Workstream 

Lead in the Program Management Office executing activities for 

early-stage technology research and development that have 

potential for infusion into NASA, private sector commercialization, 

and societal benefit. She is responsible for managing Phase I and 

Phase II solicitation lifecycle processes, launching new initiatives, 

and advising on policy and strategy. Dina has 20 years of 

experience within the Aerospace, Aviation, and Department of 

Defense sector as a program manager, management and 

program analyst, and project manager. .
NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 1

NASA SBIR/STTR Program

sbir.nasa.gov

Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business 

Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program Overview

Dina Salazar | Phase I/II Workstream Lead August 15, 2023
AGENDA

• What is the SBIR/STTR Program?

• What do we provide?

• Why do we provide this?

• What is the difference between SBIR 

and STTR?

• Who can join?

• Who received 2023 Phase I awards?

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 2

8

• How can you partner with a Minority 

Serving Institution?

• What exactly do you get?

• How does it work?

• Where do you start?

• What are Focus Areas?

• What is SBIR Ignite?
We are pioneers, and so are you.

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 2

9
NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov

What is the SBIR/STTR Program?

• Highly competitive program that encourages 

domestic small businesses to engage in 

Federal Research/Research and Development 

(R/R&D) with the potential for 

commercialization

• Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

– Established in the 1990s; created to facilitate 

cooperative R&D between small businesses and

U.S. research institutions (RIs)

– NASA is 1 of 6 participating agencies

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

– Has been around since 1980s

– NASA is 1 of 11 participating agencies

Approximately $3 billion invested per year 

by participating agencies

SBIR + STTR Programs

Department 

of Defense 

(DOD)

Department 

of Health and

Human Services 

(HHS)

Department 

of Energy 

(DOE)

National Aeronautics 

and Space 

Administration 

(NASA)

National Science 

Foundation (NSF)

Department 

of Agriculture 

(USDA)

SBIR Program Only

Department 

of Education 

(ED)

Department

of Transportation 

(DOT)

Environmental 

Protection 

Agency (EPA)

Department

of Homeland

Security (DHS)

Department

of Commerce 

(DOC)
What do we provide small businesses?

Early-stage funding for research & 

development (R&D)

Up to $1 million during your first three years, 

plus up to nearly $3 million or more through 

Post Phase II opportunities

We take zero equity, and you keep your 

intellectual property

The experience of working with NASA experts 

on your technology

The opportunity to join us on one of our many 

ambitious missions

A network of diverse entrepreneurs and 

innovators

A door into potential work with NASA programs 

and other government agencies

A way to hone your business skills to 

complement your technical skills

A way to de-risk your technology as you work 

to mature it

A reputation that comes with working with an

agency known for expanding the physical and

mental boundaries of humanity

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 31
What do we provide research institutions?

For RIs:

• A path to turn cutting-edge research from the lab to life-changing technology in the market

• The credibility that comes from working alongside NASA’s researchers and experts

• A federal funding mechanism to advance research in your area of interest

For Professors:

• Research data for potential publication in the future

• A way to expose students to exciting projects that could lead to employment

• An approach to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in students

• A differentiator when marketing your institution to potential students

For Students:

• The opportunity to work on pioneering research projects

• Experience that could lead to employment

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 32
What do RIs provide small businesses (STTR)?

• Groundbreaking ideas waiting to transition 

from the lab to the market

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and lab 

equipment

• A higher chance of winning due to less 

competition (compared to SBIR)

• The expertise of students and professors 

immersed in research daily

• Additional researchers as subcontractors (up 

to 60% in Phase I vs. only 33% in SBIR)

• Innovation that comes from collaborating with 

diverse mindsets and skillsets

• A network within academia and a sense of 

community

• A pool of talented students for potential hire

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 33
Infusion into NASA’s missions

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 34
What is the difference between SBIR and STTR?

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 35

• The STTR program exists to unlock the power and innovative thinking of the country’s

research institutions

• The primary difference is that for STTR, the small business must formally partner with a 

research institution (RI)

• Topics in SBIR support NASA’s mission directorates, whereas the STTR topics are 

derived from the specific needs of NASA’s ten centers

• The period of performance for a Phase I is longer for STTR due to the nature of the 

academic calendar for universities

• SBIR: Principal Investigator (PI) must be more than 50% employed by the small business

• STTR: Principal Investigator (PI) can be employed by either the small business or the 

research institution
Who can join?

• The SBIR/STTR program’s focus is on R&D, funding ideas that have the potential 

to solve some of NASA’s most pressing challenges

• You must be a Small Business Concern (SBC) with 500 employees or less and 

legally established in the U.S. (visit our website for the full criteria)

• For STTR, the partnering research institution must be in the U.S. and be a nonprofit

college or university, domestic nonprofit research organization, or a federally funded

R&D Center (FFRDC)

• If NASA is not the right fit, there are 10 other government agencies that have 

SBIR/STTR programs that you may want to explore: https://www.sbir.gov/agencieslanding

Approximately 80% of the small businesses we 

fund have less than 50 employees

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 36
Who received 2023 Phase I awards?

249 small businesses and 39 research institutions (RIs) selected to 

receive a total of $45 million to develop 300 technology proposals

30% of the companies selected are 

first-time NASA SBIR/STTR 

recipients

25% of selected companies are 

women-owned, veteran-owned, 

disadvantaged, and/or HUBzone 

small businesses

4 STTR awardees previously 

received M-STTR planning grants –

now part of MPLAN – which were 

created to incentivize partnerships 

between MSIs and small businesses 

before Phase I submission

Awardees spread across 38 states 

and Washington, DC

20% of selected RIs are Minority 

Serving Institutions (MSIs)

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 37
Encourage potential MSI partners to apply for future MPLAN award

• MPLAN awards provide funding (to be shared with a small business) and NASA guidance to MSIs in 

preparation for larger funding opportunities like the NASA STTR solicitation. They are typically offered in 

the Spring; most recent opportunity closed May 30, 2023.

• Offered by NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), MPLAN is an evolution 

of the previous M-STTR solicitation.

• Read about Oakwood University, a 2021 M-STTR awardee that went on to win a NASA STTR Phase I 

award with their small business partner.

Explore the MSI Exchange and look for a partner whose capabilities align with your tech

• The MSI Exchange is a platform for NASA researchers, prime contractors, small businesses, and MSIs to 

review capabilities, connect, and collaborate.

• It provides a central location to upload and search MSI capability statements in pursuit of partnership 

opportunities. Learn more: https://msiexchange.nasa.gov

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 38

How can you partner with a Minority Serving 

Institution (MSI)?
What exactly do you get?

Up to $1 million for Phase I and II and nearly $3 million or more for Post Phase II opportunities!

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 39
How does it work?

Note: Dates are subject to change. For the latest dates, 

please visit our website’s “Schedule & Awards” page.

January 2024

January – March 2024

March – June 2024 June – August 2024

June 2024 Due by Phase I Contract

End Date

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 40
Where do you start?

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 41

• Visit our website and read the recent 

solicitations, https://sbir.nasa.gov/solicitations, 

to understand NASA’s technology focus areas. 

Get a feel for the types of challenges NASA is 

looking to solve and if you think you have a 

solution, NASA could be a fit for you!

• Determine your topic(s) of interest. If STTR, find 

a research institution partner.

• Sign up for our newsletter and other 

communications: sbir.nasa.gov/info

• Keep an eye out for opportunities to meet with 

NASA experts: 

https://sbir.nasa.gov/programevents

• Contact a Center Technology Transition Lead 

(CTTL): sbir.nasa.gov/contacts

• Watch our Dissecting the Solicitations webinar 

recording for advice you can use year-round to 

prepare for the next Phase I solicitations: 

https://youtu.be/Xqti9u_mgTM

• Find additional sources of assistance: 

sbir.nasa.gov/content/additional-sourcesassistance
1. In-Space Propulsion Technologies 11.

2. Power, Energy, and Storage

3. Autonomous Systems for Space 

Exploration*

4. Robotic Systems for Space 

Exploration*

5. Communications and Navigation

6. Life Support and Habitation 

Systems*

7. Human Research and Health 

Maintenance

8. In-Situ Resource Utilization*

9. Sensors, Detectors, and 

Instruments*

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 42

10. Advanced Telescope Technologies 20.

Spacecraft and Platform 

Subsystems

12. Entry, Descent, and Landing 

Systems*

13. Information Technologies for 

Science Data

14. Focus Area not solicited in 2023

15. Materials Research, Advanced

Manufacturing, Structures, and

Assembly*

16. Ground Launch & Processing*

17. Thermal Management Systems

18. Air Vehicle Technology*

19. Integrated Flight Systems

Airspace Operations and Safety

21. Small Spacecraft Technologies

22. Low Earth Orbit Platform Utilization 

and Microgravity Research

23. Digital Transformation for 

Aerospace (STTR only)

24. Dust Mitigation and Extreme Lunar 

Environment Mitigation 

Technologies

For more information on SBIR 

and STTR Focus Areas, review 

Chapter 9 of each solicitation: 

sbir.nasa.gov/solicitations

2023 Focus Areas

Topics are SBIR unless denoted by a * indicating both SBIR and STTR
2023 SUBMISSION PERIOD

August 1 – September 21, 2023

2023 AWARD AMOUNT

Phase I: $150,000 

Phase II: $850,000

2023 PERIOD OF 

PERFORMANCE

Phase I: 6 months 

Phase II: 24 months maximum

LEARN MORE

sbir.nasa.gov/ignite

SBIR Ignite

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov 43

What makes it different?

• Focus on Commercialization: Seeks technologies that will stimulate 

the market and where NASA is not the primary customer

• Engagement: Down-selected companies get direct engagement with 

a panel of experts

• Fewer Topics: Focused list of topics relevant to 

emerging commercial markets in aerospace

• Less Prescriptive Solicitation & Shorter Proposal

• Accelerated Award Schedule: SBIR Ignite Phase II proposals will be 

due earlier in the Phase I period, allowing Phase II awards to be

made faster
Questions?

Visit our website:

www.sbir.nasa.gov

NASA SBIR/STTR Program | sbir.nasa.gov
Q & A
Can we submit SBIR/STTR 

proposals to multiple agencies? 
How do we get more involved?
How to take advantage of small 

business opportunities at NASA?
Can you provide the number of 

awards and funding available for 

this current NASA SBIR opening?
Innovation is 10 years ahead, no 

contracts, no SBIR/STTR...

How are you adapting?
How is the resulting intellectual 

property treated?
What are the research 

opportunities for a business 

focusing on modeling and 

simulation research at NASA?
What Technology Readiness Level 

(TRL) is expected before a company 

submits its first SBIR proposal?
Where and how to obtain pre 

seed funding?
What will be the process to 

make the partnerships between 

NASA and Small business work 

in this program?
We have a number of completed Phase I and Phase II 

SBIR/STTRs that are applicable to NASA and would 

like to understand how we can transition these 

technologies to NASA's portfolio using a Phase II 

follow-on award of a Phase III transition strategy. How 

can we work with NASA to accomplish this?
What programs are available for 

students ages 6-11 and 15-17? 

What are the required 

qualifications?
What is post-Phase II avenues for SBIR recipients 

for technology maturation? Can STMD provide 

Phase III contracts to SBIR recipients for tech 

maturation, so that they can get post-Phase II 

matching funds from the SBIR program?
I’m interested to know the 

process to discovering the needs 

of each center/mission.
Can I partner with a university on 

an SBIR topic?
What are the 4 biggest 

challenges they are currently 

facing & why?
Updates
Are you a small business looking to make a big difference? Whether 

you own an engineering company, develop new telemetry software 

algorithms, or provide Information Technology services, the NASA 

Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) can help you make that 

difference at the Agency by providing the necessary tools right at your 

fingertips.

OSBP Mobile is designed to help:

Provide active contract listings and requests for proposals

Network with Small Business Specialists at each NASA Center

Explore the latest Agency prime metrics data

Inform you of the latest small business news and events.

Come make a BIG difference at NASA!

OSBP Mobile App

Download at:

https://play.google.com/

https://apps.apple.com/
OSBP Gets Social!

• NASA Vendor Database

• OSBP Mobile App

• OSBP is on Facebook!

• OSBP in on X

• Subscribe to Our Mailing List

64

Check out NASA’s 

LinkedIn page for 

OSBP updates!

https://www.linkedin.co

m/company/nasa/
OSBP provides many resourceful publications to 

the small business community.

The Small Business Guide to NASA

Small Business Industry Awards

NASA Industry Forum Success Stories

NASA OSBP Spotlight

Other Publications

To view/download, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/osbp-publications

OSBP Publications
Upcoming OSBP Outreach Events

 & Webinars

Online: https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/regional-outreach

Online: https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/learning-series

66

OSBP Learning Series

September 20, 2023

How to Write a Winning Proposal and Capabilities 

Statement 

October18, 2023

Equity in Action: Closing the Disability Divide

November 15, 2023

Native American Business Development Programs

December 13, 2023

Programs and Resources to Help You Do Business with 

the Federal Government

OSBP Outreach Events

October 11, 2023 (In-Person)

NASA Small Business Opportunities and Resources 

Networking Conference

Washington, DC
67

Register Today!

Scan this QR code to 

register for the NASA 

OSBP Learning Series or 

click the link below. 

https://www.nasa.gov/osbp/learning-series
68

The NEW NASA Vendor Database is Here!

Scan this QR code to register for 

the new NASA Vendor Database or 

click the link below.

https://apps.nasa.gov/nvdb/
OSBP Learning Series: 

CALL FOR NEW TOPICS!!

NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs is NOW 

ACCEPTING new topics ideas for our monthly OSBP 

Learning Series Webinars!

We would LOVE to hear from you!! 

Please submit your topic ideas to smallbusiness@nasa.gov!

69
Learn more about 

NASA OSBP!

www.nasa.gov/osbp
Contact 

Information

71

Truphelia M. Parker

Program Specialist

NASA Office of Small 

Business Programs

(202) 358-2088

smallbusiness@nasa.gov 
Thank You for Joining!

72