Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 006692
The FY19 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 006692) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It is designed to fund next-stage research and development by small businesses that have already proven feasibility under a prior USDA SBIR Phase I award. In practical terms, Phase II is intended to help prior Phase I awardees move from early proof-of-concept work into more advanced R and D that supports development, validation, and progress toward commercialization of an innovation aligned with USDA priorities.
Eligibility is narrowly defined and is the central gatekeeping feature of this opportunity. Only businesses that previously received a USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I award, completed it successfully, and have not previously applied for Phase II support are allowed to apply under this FY 2019 request for applications. A Phase I project is permitted to submit for Phase II only one time. That rule is strict: if a Phase I awardee already applied for Phase II once and was not selected, they are not allowed to resubmit the same or a revised Phase II proposal in the future under this or any later Phase II solicitation. This makes the Phase II application a one-shot opportunity tied to that specific Phase I project, so applicants are expected to submit a well-developed plan that is ready for rigorous evaluation.
The program encourages proposals across the USDA SBIR topic areas, with particular encouragement for projects focused on agriculturally related manufacturing as well as alternative and renewable energy technologies. The solicitation highlights USDA SBIR's intentionally flexible research scope, aimed at supporting innovation that matches USDA's broader mission of promoting a healthy and productive nation while maintaining harmony with land, air, and water resources. Although the specific topic list is not reproduced in the text provided, the emphasis is clearly on technology-driven solutions that have agricultural relevance and a pathway toward real-world use and commercialization.
Historically, the USDA SBIR program has a long track record, having funded more than 2,000 R and D projects since 1983. The stated purpose is not only to advance technical development but also to help small businesses assess and expand their technological potential and build incentives to commercialize innovative ideas. For Phase II specifically, the opportunity notes an applicant success rate in the 50 to 60 percent range, suggesting a comparatively competitive but attainable program for eligible prior Phase I performers, especially those able to demonstrate strong Phase I outcomes and a credible Phase II work plan.
Key administrative details from the listing include that it is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) within the discretionary opportunity category, tied to activity areas of Agriculture and Business and Commerce, with CFDA number 10.212. The opportunity was created on 2018-12-21 and had an original closing date of 2019-03-14. The listing does not provide an award ceiling, expected number of awards, or other budget metrics in the provided fields, so applicants would need to refer to the full request for applications for funding limits, project period, cost share requirements if any, and formatting and submission rules.Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 006692
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture, business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY19 Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.212.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FY19 USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase II (USDA NIFA SBIR 006692) FAQs
What is the FY19 SBIR Phase II grant opportunity?
This is the FY19 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 006692), a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It supports next-stage research and development (R&D) by small businesses that have already demonstrated feasibility under a prior USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I award.
What is the main purpose of Phase II funding?
Phase II is intended to help prior Phase I awardees move beyond early proof-of-concept work and into more advanced R&D. The focus is on development, validation, and progress toward commercialization of an innovation aligned with USDA priorities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is narrow. Only small businesses that (1) previously received a USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I award, (2) completed the Phase I project successfully, and (3) have not previously applied for Phase II support are allowed to apply under this FY 2019 request for applications.
Is Phase II limited to prior USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I awardees only?
Yes. The central gatekeeping feature of this opportunity is that applicants must be prior USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I awardees who completed Phase I successfully.
Can a business apply for Phase II if it did not have a USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I award?
No. Based on the information provided, businesses without a prior USDA-NIFA SBIR Phase I award are not eligible for this Phase II opportunity.
How many times can a Phase I project apply for Phase II?
Only one time. A Phase I project is permitted to submit for Phase II just once.
If a company applied for Phase II once and was not selected, can it resubmit later?
No. The rule is described as strict: if a Phase I awardee already applied for Phase II once and was not selected, they are not allowed to resubmit the same or a revised Phase II proposal in the future under this or any later Phase II solicitation.
Does the "one-shot" rule apply even if the proposal is revised significantly?
Yes. The text states that if the Phase I awardee already applied for Phase II once and was not selected, they may not resubmit the same or a revised Phase II proposal under this or any later Phase II solicitation.
What does "one-shot opportunity tied to that specific Phase I project" mean?
It means Phase II is directly linked to the particular Phase I project and can only be pursued via a single Phase II application attempt. Because there is no second chance, applicants are expected to submit a well-developed Phase II plan ready for rigorous evaluation.
What kinds of projects does USDA-NIFA encourage for Phase II?
Proposals are encouraged across USDA SBIR topic areas. The opportunity particularly encourages projects focused on agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies.
Is there a specific list of SBIR topic areas included in the provided information?
No. The information provided says the specific topic list is not reproduced, but it indicates the emphasis is on technology-driven solutions with agricultural relevance and a pathway toward real-world use and commercialization.
What is the program's overall mission focus?
The solicitation highlights a flexible research scope aimed at supporting innovation that matches USDA's broader mission: promoting a healthy and productive nation while maintaining harmony with land, air, and water resources.
What stage of development is Phase II meant to support?
Phase II supports advanced R&D following Phase I feasibility work. It is described as helping move from early proof-of-concept into development and validation work that advances commercialization readiness.
How competitive is this Phase II opportunity?
The opportunity notes a Phase II applicant success rate in the 50 to 60 percent range. That suggests the program is competitive but potentially attainable for eligible applicants who can show strong Phase I results and a credible Phase II work plan.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
Is this a discretionary or mandatory grant program?
It is described as a discretionary grant program and the opportunity category is discretionary.
Which federal agency administers this program?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 10.212.
What activity areas does this opportunity relate to?
The listing associates the opportunity with activity areas of Agriculture and Business and Commerce.
When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on 2018-12-21 and had an original closing date of 2019-03-14.
Does the provided information include the award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The listing does not provide an award ceiling, expected number of awards, or other budget metrics in the fields provided.
Where can applicants find details like funding limits, project period, cost share, and submission rules?
Based on the information provided, applicants would need to refer to the full request for applications (RFA) for funding limits, project period, cost share requirements (if any), formatting requirements, and submission rules.
How long has the USDA SBIR program been operating?
The USDA SBIR program has funded projects since 1983, and it has funded more than 2,000 R&D projects over that period.
Beyond technical development, what is the program trying to achieve?
The stated purpose includes helping small businesses assess and expand their technological potential and building incentives to commercialize innovative ideas, in addition to advancing technical development.
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