NOAA SBIR FY 2022 Phase I | NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2022 2007117

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2022 2007117

The NOAA SBIR FY 2022 Phase I opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program run by the Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It invites eligible U.S. small business concerns to propose early-stage research and development projects that align with NOAA needs, specifically within the topic areas listed in Section 9.0 of the announcement. The core idea is to fund innovative R and D that has a credible path to commercialization, meaning applicants should not only describe the technical work they plan to do, but also make a clear case that the resulting technology or capability can be turned into a product, service, or solution that can succeed in the marketplace and ultimately deliver public benefit.

This notice is strictly for FY 2022 Phase I proposals only. NOAA is not accepting Phase II applications under this announcement, and it also makes clear that SBIR is not a catch-all route for ideas that do not fit other agency pathways. In particular, unsolicited proposals are not accepted under SBIR, so applicants need to respond to the SBIR structure and NOAA topic needs rather than submitting a general research concept outside the program rules. NOAA indicates that a separate Phase II NOFO is expected to be released roughly 30 days before the end of the prior year’s Phase I period of performance, and only firms that received Phase I awards in the relevant prior year will be eligible to apply for Phase II under that future notice. In other words, Phase I is the required entry point, and Phase II is a later competition limited to successful Phase I awardees.

The program sits within the long-running Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) framework first established by Congress in 1982 and reauthorized multiple times, with the most recent extension noted as running through 2022. SBIR applies government-wide to agencies with large extramural R and D budgets, requiring them to allocate a statutory minimum percentage of those budgets to awards for small businesses. NOAA’s version of SBIR follows the standard federal objectives: stimulating private-sector technological innovation, strengthening the ability of small businesses to meet federal research and development needs, expanding participation by businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons and by women, and increasing commercialization of innovations that originate from federally funded R and D.

A notable emphasis in the notice is the program’s alignment with broader federal and agency priorities around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. NOAA highlights the importance of encouraging participation from nationally underrepresented groups in the scientific research workforce and underscores that increasing participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses is considered critical to SBIR success. While the technical merit and commercialization potential remain central, NOAA is signaling that applicants should be mindful of these priorities when describing their teams, partnerships, hiring, or broader participation impacts, to the extent those elements are relevant and genuine for the proposed work.

Key logistics included in the source information are straightforward. The funding opportunity title is NOAA SBIR FY 2022 Phase I, with funding opportunity number NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2022 2007117, and it is administered as a grant under a discretionary program category. The activity areas are environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development, and the CFDA listing is 11.021. NOAA anticipated making about 25 awards, with an award ceiling of $150,000 for Phase I. The notice was created on November 15, 2021, with a letter of intent due December 15, 2021, and the original closing date for full applications listed as February 18, 2022. Eligibility is aimed at small businesses, with the listing noting “Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification),” which is a reminder that applicants must confirm their status and compliance with SBIR eligibility rules as specified in the full announcement.

In practical terms, this opportunity is designed for a small business that can propose a focused, feasible Phase I project that demonstrates technical innovation and validates key aspects of a solution relevant to NOAA missions, while also laying out a believable commercialization strategy. The Phase I funding level and structure reflect the program’s intent: reduce early technical risk, generate proof-of-concept results, and position the strongest projects to compete for a later Phase II award when NOAA releases the separate Phase II solicitation.

• 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 "NOAA SBIR FY 2022 Phase I" 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 15, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 18, 2022. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA OAR OAR TPO 2022 2007117

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