Any government agency with an extramural budget of over $100 million for R&D must set aside 3.2% of the budget for grants and awards. Most governmental departments include multiple offices that handle reviewing and approving proposals. Funding takes the form of either grants or contracts.nnLet's review the agencies and amounts available.nnDepartment of AgriculturenTotal SBIR budget: $32 million.nAward type: Grants.nPhase I grants: $100k.nPhase II grants: $600k.nnThe Department of Agriculture provides funding for 10 topic areas. The program supports forest resources, plant and animal production and protection, conservation of natural resources, food science and nutrition, rural development, aquaculture, biofuels, biobased productions, and small and medium-sized farms.nnDepartment of Commerce (DOC)nTotal SBIR budget: $15 million.nAward type: Grants.nPhase I grants: $100k.nPhase II grants: $400k.nnThe Department of Commerce processes SBIR and STTR programs through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Each year the NIST issues a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Phase I proposals. Phase II proposals are only accepted from participants who completed Phase I. The funds support technical topics that advance the missions of the NIST or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).nnDepartment of Defense (DOD)nTotal SBIR/STTR budget: 1.9 billion.nAward type: Contracts.nPhase I contracts: $50k-$250k.nPhase II contracts: $800k-$1.83 million.nnThe DOD is the largest participant in SBIR/STTR programs. More than half of DOD awards go to firms with 25 or fewer employees, and 20% go to women or minority-owned businesses.nnThe DOD's priority areas are:nn5g technology.nAI/Autonomy.nBiotechnology.nControl and communications.nCybersecurity.nDirected energy.nHypersonic.nMicroelectronics.nNetwork command.nNuclear.nQuantum sciences.nSpace.nAnd more.nDepartment of Energy (DOE)nnTotal SBIR/STTR budget: $315 million.nAward type: Grants.nPhase I grants: $200k.nPhase II grants: $1.6 million.nnThe DOE has 13 program offices that collaborate on SBIR/STTR programs. Each office sets priorities for institutional mission and program goals. The programs offer funding spanning research areas of more than 60 topics with over 250 subtopics that advance the DOE mission.nnDOE research areas include:nnEnergy production.nEnergy use.nFundamental energy sciences.nEnvironmental management.nDefense nuclear nonproliferation.nDepartment of Education (ED)nTotal SBIR budget: $10 million.nAward type: Contracts.nPhase I contracts: $250K.nPhase II contracts: $1 million.nnThe Department of Education administers the SBIR program through its research office, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The program helps to fund new technology products for student use. In addition, projects could develop technology innovations for educator use, students with disabilities, or teachers in early intervention or special education settings.nnHealth and Human Services (HHS)nTotal SBIR/STTR budget: $1.2 billion.nAward type: Grants.nPhase I grants: $275k.nPhase II grants: 1.83 million.nnHHS SBIR and STTR programs fund health, life science, and biomedical discoveries that could impact the lives of patients and their families.nnDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS)nTotal SBIR budget: $18 million.nAward type: Contracts.nPhase I contracts: $150k.nPhase II contracts: $1 million.nnThe Department of Homeland Security supports a full spectrum of SBIR initiatives. The department's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) also runs an SBIR program that focuses on the office's needs.nnFunds help to innovate technologies that support:nnBorder and maritime security.nChemical and biological weapon defense.nCritical infrastructure and resilience.nCybersecurity.nExplosives detection and aviation security.nFirst responders.nAnd more.nDepartment of Transportation (DOT)nTotal SBIR budget: $9 million.nAward type: Contracts.nPhase I contracts: $200k.nPhase II contracts: $1 million.nnThe DOT conducts an SBIR program that supports transportation improvements. Eight agencies within the DOT conduct SBIR initiatives:nnFederal Highway Administration (FHWA).nFederal Highway Administration (FHWA).nFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).nFederal Railroad Administration (FRA).nFederal Transit Administration (FTA).nNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).nOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R).nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).nnEach office publishes research topics that meet a high-priority transportation need or innovation.nnEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)nTotal SBIR budget: $5 million.nAward type: Contracts.nPhase I contracts: $100k.nPhase II contracts: $400k.nnThe EPA's SBIR program funds research and innovation to advance the agency's goals. Each year it publishes solicitations on topics related to:nnClean and safe water.nAir quality & climate.nHomeland security.nCircular economy/sustainable materials.nSafer chemicals.nRisk assessment.nNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)nTotal SBIR/STTR budget: $174 million.nAward type: Contracts.nPhase I contracts: $150k.nPhase II contracts: $1 million.nnNASA's robust SBIR and STTR program offers topics in 17 technology areas, including propulsion systems, robotics systems, communications, orbital debris, and more.nnNational Science Foundation (NSF)nTotal SBIR/STTR budget: $215 million.nAward type: Grants.nPhase I grants: $275K.nPhase II grants: $1 million.nnFunds almost all technology and market sectors except clinical trials.