Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II 2026: Solicitation

The U.S. Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is seeking proposals for the development of new education technology products to ready existing evidence-based innovations for use at scale in education settings. The goal of the program is to support small businesses in transitioning existing innovations into scalable, sustainable education technology products. Proposals should focus on projects that develop new education technology products to ready existing evidence-based innovations for use at scale and plan for commercialization. The program is looking for projects that improve learning or promote relevant outcomes in areas such as early childhood learning, English language arts, STEM, and social and behavioral skills. Some key points to consider: • The existing innovation must have been originally conceptualized and developed by a researcher at a university or non-profit education research organization. • The proposal must include compelling research findings that support the efficacy of the innovation. • The project must preserve the nature and essential functionality of the existing innovation while adding a new technology component or adapting the technology to enable use at scale. • The proposing small business must lead the proposal and the Project Director must be an employee of the small business. • One or more of the researchers who originally conceptualized and developed the innovation must be part of the team for the proposed SBIR project.