NASA boosts 365 small space businesses and institutes

Paris, 26 March 2021. – NASA is boosting 365 small space businesses and institutes in the U.S. funding them with a total of $45 million, the agency said.

“Small businesses are vital to NASA’s mission, helping expand humanity’s presence in space and improve life on Earth,” the agency said. It selected 365 U.S. small business proposals for initial funding from the agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.

NASA said it selected 289 small businesses and 47 research institutions to receive Phase I funding this year. More than 30% of the awards will go to first-time NASA SBIR/STTR recipients. “We are excited to have a large cohort of new small businesses join the NASA family,” the agency said.

Phase I SBIR contracts are awarded to small businesses and last for six months, NASA said, while Phase I STTR contracts are awarded to small businesses in partnership with a research institution and last for 13 months. Based on their progress during Phase I, companies may submit proposals to receive additional funding.