FY 2019 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM | NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2019 2005899

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2019 2005899

The FY 2019 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program notice of funding opportunity is a Department of Commerce opportunity administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It invites eligible small businesses to submit research and development proposals that align with NOAA mission needs, specifically within the topic areas listed in the solicitation (referenced as Section 9 of the announcement). The core expectation is not only that the applicant can perform the proposed R and D, but also that it has a credible pathway to commercializing the resulting innovation. The program is positioned as a targeted, topic-driven federal R and D funding mechanism for small science and technology firms, rather than an open channel for unsolicited ideas; unsolicited proposals are explicitly not accepted under this SBIR competition.

This particular notice is limited to Phase I proposals for FY 2019. Phase I is the entry stage of SBIR and is typically focused on early feasibility work, proof of concept, and establishing the technical merit and commercial potential of an innovation. NOAA is not accepting Phase II applications under this notice. Instead, NOAA indicates it will issue a separate Phase II notice of funding opportunity roughly 30 days before the end of the relevant Phase I period of performance. Only prior-year Phase I awardees will be eligible to apply for Phase II when that later notice is released, and the Phase II notice will provide the specific instructions and deadline for that follow-on competition.

The opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant in the broad funding activity areas of environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development. The listing references CFDA number 11.021 and identifies the agency as the Department of Commerce. While the eligibility field is summarized as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," the narrative makes clear the intended applicants are small businesses capable of conducting R and D in the requested NOAA-aligned topics and pursuing commercialization. Consistent with SBIR program goals across the federal government, the solicitation emphasizes stimulating private-sector technological innovation, strengthening the role of small business in meeting federal R and D needs, encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small business concerns, and increasing commercialization outcomes from federally supported research.

In terms of funding scale and timing, the notice was created on November 8, 2018, with an original application closing date of January 8, 2019. NOAA anticipates making about 30 awards under this competition, subject to available funds, and lists an award ceiling of $120,000 (consistent with a Phase I-sized award). As with many federal competitions, NOAA states it is not obligated to make any awards, and any award decisions remain contingent on appropriations and program funding availability. The agency also notes that it will not reimburse or otherwise cover proposal preparation or other pre-award costs incurred by applicants, meaning companies bear the cost of developing and submitting their applications unless and until an award is made.

The solicitation also situates the program in its statutory background. SBIR was established in 1982 through the Small Business Innovation Development Act, later expanded by the Small Business R and D Enhancement Act of 1992, and reauthorized through subsequent legislation, with the cited extension running through 2022. It notes that eleven federal agencies set aside a portion of their extramural R and D budgets each year to support SBIR awards, reflecting SBIRs broader government-wide role as a dedicated pipeline for transitioning early-stage innovations from small businesses into commercially viable products and services that also address federal mission needs.

Key identifiers for this opportunity include the title "FY 2019 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM" and the funding opportunity number "NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2019 2005899." Overall, the notice is a NOAA SBIR Phase I grant competition aimed at funding feasibility-stage R and D by small businesses in NOAA-relevant technical areas, with a clear emphasis on eventual commercialization and with Phase II funding to be competed later only among successful Phase I awardees.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2019 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.021.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 08, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 08, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $120,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2019 2005899

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