
NASA SBIR IGNITE
This solicitation has closed.
Please visit https://sbir.nasa.gov/ for new opportunities.
"With a greater emphasis on commercialization, SBIR Ignite funds U.S. early-stage, high-risk technology development to help make companies and their technologies more attractive to private sector investors, customers, and partners."
One of the strategic goals of NASA is to catalyze economic growth and drive
innovation to address national challenges.With its latest program initiative, SBIR Ignite, NASA continues to evolve the ways in which they connect with entrepreneurs. Ignite is a new way for innovators with commercially-viable technologies to use NASA as a stepping stone and funding source in their path towards scalable, commercial success.
Your startup could help with missions to Mars!
“There will be more overlap in things that are terrestrially relevant and things that are NASA relevant as the missions become more ambitious.” - Maxwell Briggs, Introducing SBIR Ignite
Ignite is a new way for innovators with commercially-viable technologies to use NASA as a stepping stone and funding source in their path towards scalable, commercial success.Program Details and Focus Topics
NASA SBIR Ignite is a pilot program with new guidelines and proposal requirements. View the complete solicitation here.
What's Different About SBIR Ignite?
This program focuses on transforming scientific discovery into products and services through innovations that have potential for infusion into NASA programs and missions, potential for commercialization into commercial markets, and societal benefit.Proposals are scored heavily on the offeror's understanding of the market, rather than technology readiness. Proposals should provide a strong plan for commercialization of the technology to be competitive for award.The topic areas of interest for this solicitation have been specifically selected for their commercial relevance.Review the Six Focus Topic Areas Below:
Technologies Using NASA Data to Foster Climate Resilience
Topic Author:
Shobhana Gupta
"In this focus area, we are seeking new technologies that translate these insights into actionable information, characterizing communities, vulnerabilities and exposure to climate related risks and providing information to guide planning and land use actions."
“...Can your technology contextualize earth science knowledge, including uncertainties with economic and social frameworks to support real-world at-risk management strategies and actions? And does your technology reflect an understanding of your climate decision making domain? What are the pressing priorities of your specific community members and leaders?”
Low-Cost Photovoltaic Arrays
for Space
Topic Author:
Jay McNatt
"Some potential solutions may be novel ways to reuse or replace the cell growth substrate; to improve the throughput in cell growth; to increase yield during metallization and processing; and even to improve the way that the cells are integrated into arrays. But these are just a few examples."
"We want to hear from you. We want to hear your ideas on how to meet this challenge. This program isn't limited to just organizations that typically produce photovoltaics. Everyone is welcome to propose concepts that will help meet the end goal of a lower cost photovoltaic system."
Enabling Technologies for the Development of a Robust Low-Earth Orbit Economy
Topic Author:
Warren Ruemmele
“We believe that a commercially based economy can ensure that our national interest for research and development in space are fulfilled, while allowing NASA to focus government resources on deep space exploration.”
Proposals might include how to reduce the cost of transportation of crew and cargo from low orbit, or crew habitation for long periods in low orbit. Also needed is technology that facilitates reliable and cost-effective launch and return of science samples, payloads, and materials produced in orbit.
Point-of-use Recycling for Optimized Space-Age Logistics
Topic Author:
Jeffrey Smith
"We really need to take advantage of every single kilogram of up-mass material that we can. That includes the cargo packing materials. We don't want to throw those away if we can possibly have an alternative for that. And that's what we really need from you.”Proposals might include point-of-use recycling solutions for common waste streams, packing materials, and paper products - especially if those items can be broken down and used for 3D printers - and even food packaging and food waste itself. Also of interest are ideas for better packing materials and new ways of organizing packaging.
Commercial Development of Active Debris Remediation (ADR) Services
Topic Author:
Thomas Colvin
NASA is soliciting proposals for innovative systems that can perform commercial debris remediation services. This is especially relevant for your company if you are currently in the business of performing this type of function here on earth: moving, removing, or reusing satellites or active debris to reduce the risks associated with it.
Your methods for salvaging machines for materials and parts - really, all forms of debris remediation - are in scope for this solicitation.
Electric and Hybrid Electric Systems for UAV and Aircraft (1500 to 5000 lbs.)
Topic Author:
Ralph Jansen
NASA is soliciting proposals that can expand the space commercialization areas for integration, ground and potential flight testing, for a1,500-pound class hybrid electric drone. Proposals should support market introduction to the existing large UAV or emerging electric and hybrid electric aircraft markets.
Components sought include, but are not limited to: motors, converters, circuit interrupt devices, cables, turbo generators, batteries, bus capacitors, electrically actuated control surfaces, electrically actuated landing gear, or components that integrate multiple functions, like motors combined with engines to implement a hybrid systems.
Who can participate?
SBIR Ignite is designed for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses based in the United States.
Award recipients must qualify as a Small Business Concern (SBC) as defined by SBA regulations at 13 C.F.R. §§ 701-705:
A Small Business Concern (SBC) must satisfy the following requirements for SBIR Ignite Phase I & Phase II funding:
- is organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States, which operates primarily within the United States or which makes a significant contribution to the United States economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor;
- is in the legal form of an individual proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, association, trust or cooperative, except that if the concern is a joint venture, each entity to the venture must meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (3) below;
- is more than 50 percent directly owned and controlled by one or more individuals (who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States), other small business concerns (each of which is more than 50% directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States), or any combination of these; and
- has, including its affiliates, not more than 500 employees.
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The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of NASA or NASA iTech. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.There is no commitment by NASA to fund any proposal or to make a specific number of awards and NASA may elect to make several or no awards in any specific research topic. Number of awards will be based on the level of appropriated funding provided to the program. Currently, it is anticipated that the SBIR Ignite Phase I proposals will be selected in November 2022 for negotiation of firm-fixed-price contracts. Awarded contracts will have a period of performance not to exceed six (6) months.
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