FY 2024 Phase I Release 1

Background
This FOA describes the funding opportunities for DOE: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The Department of Energy's SBIR/STTR Programs collaborates with the Department of Energy Office of Science’s Office of Scientific Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to advance organizational best practices for promoting DEI in our business practices for awarding and managing competitive research.

Grant Details
Phase I grants resulting from this competition will be made during FY 2024 to small businesses with maximum award sizes of $200,000 or $250,000. The period of performance will depend on the scope of the effort but will not exceed 12 months.

Phase I is to evaluate the scientific or technical merit and feasibility of ideas that appear to have commercial potential and/or substantial application in support of DOE mission research. The objectives include increasing private sector commercialization of technology developed through DOE-supported research and development (R&D), stimulating technological innovation in the private sector, encouraging participation by women-owned and minority-owned small businesses, and improving the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the nation.

Eligibility Requirements
SBIR/STTR program eligibility requirements are in place to ensure that the funds go only to small, independent United States (U.S.) businesses. The regulations, 13 CFR 121, include restrictions about (1) the type of firm, (2) its ownership structure, and (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees.

All funded research or R&D must be performed in the U.S. for both Phases I and II, except under exceptional circumstances.

Period of Performance
DOE anticipates making Phase I awards that will have a period of performance of 6 to 12 months with a start date of February 12, 2024.

Grant Value
Approximately $24,000,000 is expected to be available for new awards under this FOA. Funding for all awards and future budget periods are contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of this program and the availability of future-year budget authority, and Congressional authorization of the SBIR/STTR programs.

Place of Performance
All funded research or R&D must be performed in the U.S. for both Phases I and II.