About EPA's SBIR Program

On this page:

Overview
Phased Approach to Funding
Success Stories
Is SBIR Right for You?
EPA SBIR Solicitation Topics

Overview

One of 11 federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs launched over 40 years ago, EPA’s SBIR program is the small program with a big mission, to protect human health and the environment. As part of "America's Seed Fund," EPA SBIR funds small businesses to develop and commercialize innovative environmental technologies in broad focus areas which include clean and safe water, air quality, homeland security, sustainable materials management/circular economy, and safer chemicals. Proposals should be responsive to the annual topics under these broad areas.

Program Objectives

Support for innovative green technology
Focus on commercialization
Communication of successes
Protect the planet

For more information on the Federal SBIR programs, visit the Small Business Administration's SBIR website.

Phased Approach to Funding

SBIR projects are funded in a phased approach. Each year, EPA issues a Phase I solicitation for technology proposals addressing specific topics. Proposals are evaluated on their technical merit, potential for commercialization and impact/relevance in the given topic area.

For Phase I, EPA awards firm-fixed-price contracts of up to $100,000 for 6 months for “proof of concept” of the proposed technology. Small businesses that have received a Phase I award can submit a proposal for a Phase II award of $400,000 to further develop and commercialize the technology.

To accelerate commercialization, EPA also offers a "Commercialization Option" of up to $100,000 in Phase II for companies that secure third-party investment.

SBIR Success Stories

Veriflux

Veriflux, based in Washington D.C., has traced their 1 billionth pound of renewable low-carbon intensity feedstock. Their success was recently featured in Biobased Diesel Daily, highlighting the company’s achievements. To date, Veriflux has traced renewable feedstocks from numerous points of origin, through supply chains incorporating nearly 850 companies across more than 20 countries. Veriflux was awarded an EPA SBIR Phase I award in 2021, for their traceability application while it was still in beta.

Ecovative

Ecovative, based in New York, has secured $11 million for their spin-off company MyForest Foods. MyForest Foods is producing MyBacon, a mycelium-based bacon alternative, aiming to provide a cleaner label alternative to higher-processed plant-based meat substitutes. Ecovative has previously been awarded multiple EPA SBIR projects, with their most recent award for the development of their mycelium bound panels for commercial interior products.

Bridger Photonics

Bridger Photonics, an EPA SBIR small business based in Montana, has had their aerial methane detection technology approved for regulatory use by the EPA. On January 14th, 2025, Bridger Photonics was approved to provide “methane detection scans at all detection sensitivity/site scan frequency levels of the EPA’s scan matrix”. This technology can be used by oil and gas operators looking to reduce their fugitive methane emissions and meet the regulatory requirements for emissions scans. Bridger Photonics last received an EPA SBIR Phase I Award to develop a drone-based Gas Mapping LiDAR™ sensor to aid in mitigating the loss of valuable products across the Oil & Gas supply chain.

Is EPA SBIR Right for You?

Are you ready to join hundreds of small businesses that have used EPA SBIR awards to develop and commercialize their environmental technologies? If your small business has a technology solution that helps solve one of EPA's priority topic areas, consider submitting your idea to help us protect public health and address our most pressing environmental problems. EPA welcomes proposals from small businesses and start-ups new to the program.

How to Apply for an SBIR Contract

EPA SBIR Solicitation Topics

The most recent EPA SBIR solicitation topics were:

Clean and Safe Water

Topic 1A: Monitoring Technologies for Water Reuse

Topic 1B: Treatment of PFAS in Wastewater Sewage Sludge and Biosolids

Topic 1C: Technologies for the Removal and/or Destruction of PFAS in Groundwater

Note: Technologies for Sensors to Detect PFAS in Water are responsive to Topic 2A. Please see Topic 2A below for information.

Air Quality

Topic 2A: Sensors to Detect PFAS in Environmental Matrices

Topic 2B: Advancing Technologies to Monitor Carbon Monoxide

Sustainable Materials/Circular Economy

Topic 3A: Innovative Technologies to Prevent and Recycle Food Waste

Topic 3B: Critical Mineral Recovery from Lithium-Ion Batteries and Safe Recycling/Reuse of Batteries

Topic 3C: Technologies that Mitigate the Impacts of Critical Mineral Mining or Extract Critical Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

Safer Chemicals

Topic 4A: Rubber Anti-Degradants That Are Lower Concern for Human Health and The Environment

Topic 4B: Improved Lead Test Kits