U.S. DOT announces more than $2M grant funding for Small Business Innovation Research Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Tuesday that it would be accepting applications for more than $2 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program grants.

The grants would allow small businesses to participate in research and the commercialization of transportation technologies. This year, research topics focus on artificial intelligence, intelligent road systems, material safety, equity, and climate change, among others.

The SBIR Program provides incentives to small businesses to pursue Federal Research/Research and Development work that can be commercialized. The program is separated into two key phases, Phase I and Phase II, with the possibility of a third phase leading up to commercialization. The maximum award in Phase I is $200,000, and the maximum amount of Phase II is $1.5 million.

Applicants must first attend a virtual webinar that gives an overview of the application process and then submit an offer to the DOT for their research project. Selected finalists will participate in Pitch Day, where they will be able to virtually “pitch” their proposal idea to DOT staff.

“Pitch Day is an excellent opportunity for small businesses to bring their unique ideas and processes directly to DOT and for DOT to ask questions about new methods and expected outcomes. I look forward to welcoming this year’s participants,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology Dr. Robert C. Hampshire.

Interested small businesses can sign-up for the webinar that will be held on Feb. 10, 2022. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on March 7.

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