Don't let uncertainty stop your preparation

[The following post is from our October 2025 MTIP Newsletter when the SBIR/STTR programs lapsed prior to the shutdown. Now that we are looking at a near term SBIR Reauthorization (late February 2026), these recommendations are worth reviewing as you prepare for your next steps in seeking federal R&D funding through America's Seed Fund.]

I don't like uncertainty.

I like to plan. I like to have contingency plans. I like to have a schedule for those plans. And I like to execute on those plans.  

But here we are. The federal government is currently in a shut down and the SBIR programs have lapsed.  However, we do expect Congress to adopt an extension or include SBIR reauthorization after the shutdown. So what do we do now?

Here area some actions you can take now: The following is a linear list but much of these can be worked on in different orders, concurrently, or iteratively.

1. Assess if you're eligible and ready to pursue SBIR

   • Verify that your company is greater than 51% U.S. owned, under 500 employees, and set up as a for-profit entity.

   • Establish and/or make sure your SAM registration is active and you have a company UEI (and CAGE code if required).

2. Assess the Technical Challenges that are preventing your innovation from being developed right now... what requires research funding?

   • Your innovation is intended to solve real-world problems. Problems that current solutions don't even come close to addressing. Cool. That's the vision. But what are the 2-3 riskiest parts of your product development that if you can't figure out how to overcome these technical challenges, it doesn't make sense to invest $1 more, much less $1 million or more, into full product development?

   • Identify your Phase I feasibility goals and how they will lay the groundwork for a Phase II development pathway.

3. Do you have gaps in your technical team?

   • Your team should have the technical expertise to overcome your technology challenges, so first thing make sure you have your tech team in place. 

   • Consider relationships with research institutions or find the talent that will join your team when you receive an award.

4. Research past agency awards and monitor agency solicitations

   • Which agencies (DoD, NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, etc.) have missions that include addressing the problems that your company is also trying to address with its innovation plans?  

   • Run a few keyword searches on https://www.sbir.gov/awards to find companies, funding agencies, and abstracts for projects that are similar or adjacent to your technology. 

   • Agency SBIR pages provide links to their research areas and/or demand signals that may help you identify if (when we resume) their SBIR program may be a fit.

   • Even during the shutdown, agencies are planning for the resumption of SBIR programs. No new solicitations will be posted, but you can still learn from past solicitation documents to understand requirements.

   • Sign up for their email announcements to be notified when programs resume.

5. Iterate on your commercialization planning

   • Review or identify customer segments and target market

   • Schedule some more customer discovery interviews

   • What are factors affecting their industries including regulatory impacts?

   • Who else is offering alternative approaches to address the problem you're trying to solve? What's the competitive landscape?

   • What are your non-SBIR funding strategies and forward-looking financial projections?

Don't let uncertainty stop your preparation. The SBIR/STTR programs have strong bi-partisan support and are likely to continue. The delays resulting from the shutdown and reauthorization uncertainty create a unique opportunity. You can use this time to prepare thoroughly so you're ready to submit when solicitations reopen. Companies that are "application-ready" will have an advantage when operations resume.