How NASA SBIR/STTR Program Is Changing for 2026

Your TL;DR: NASA’s SBIR/STTR program is switching how it opens calls for proposals in 2026, moving from one annual solicitation to a Broad Agency Announcement with phased appendices so small businesses can propose throughout the year and reset proposal limits per appendix. Bookmark the new Information Hub and subscribe to updates.

NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are evolving for Program Year 2026, bringing a shift in how opportunities are released and how innovators can engage with the agency. These changes aim to create more flexibility, responsiveness, and participation opportunities for the small business community.

The Big Shift: Moving to a NASA Broad Agency Announcement

For years, NASA’s SBIR/STTR program used a traditional solicitation cycle:

  • One main SBIR/STTR solicitation will be released in January
  • A follow-on SBIR Ignite solicitation in the summer

For 2026, NASA is moving instead to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) — a funding mechanism that supports research and experimentation in technologies without narrowly prescribed solutions.

This means:

  • Proposals can be submitted throughout the year as NASA releases the first appendix, then later ones.
  • Proposal limits reset for each appendix, giving innovators another chance if they’re ready later in the year.
  • The BAA and early appendices will contain guidance and specific subtopics for SBIR, STTR, and SBIR Ignite proposals.

If you’re wondering when the first appendix will drop, it’s not posted yet. NASA is planning to make releases “as soon as possible” once program reauthorization is in place, and updates will appear on the Program Year 2026 Information Hub. Ready to tailor a NASA SBIR/STTR proposal for this new schedule? Let’s pinpoint your strongest subtopic fit so you can confidently prepare early and respond quickly when appendix releases go live. Schedule a proposal prep session to sharpen your strategy and increase your competitiveness. Book your strategy call to roadmap your proposal timeline and align to early appendix topics. https://www.nasa.gov/sbir_sttr/nasa-sbir-sttr-program-program-year-2026-information-hub/

What This Means for Small Business Innovators

Flexibility and More Chances to Participate

Under the BAA approach:

  • You can plan proposals around multiple releases instead of one fixed date.
  • If your ideal subtopic doesn’t show up in the first appendix, you don’t have to wait until next year — you can aim for later appendices.

This flexibility opens up new strategic timing for small businesses, especially those balancing multiple R&D goals or seeking to optimize proposal quality before deadlines. Feeling uncertain about when to jump in with your proposal? A tailored timeline can give you clarity and confidence across the year’s appendices. Let’s map your best window based on your tech readiness and strengths. Request a personalized proposal timing review.

What Doesn’t Change

  • Existing SBIR/STTR contracts under the program continue unaffected by the new BAA system.
  • Eligibility rules and program phases (Phase I, Phase II, etc.) still apply per the broader NASA SBIR/STTR policy framework.

Next Steps

NASA will continue updating the Program Year 2026 Information Hub with:

  • The BAA release document outlining proposal requirements
  • Appendix A topics and subsequent appendix releases
  • subscription options for email alerts to receive updates directly

Bookmark the Hub and subscribe to stay current with release timelines and topic announcements. Want to be among the first to respond to upcoming NASA SBIR/STTR appendices? We can help you refine your proposal narrative and align your technology to NASA’s priorities so you’re ready the moment topics drop. Get a readiness assessment and action plan.

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