NSF has archived the DCL on the Request for SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposals Addressing COVID-19 (NSF 20-065). The following FAQs provide additional information about the decision to archive the DCL, along with guidance for prospective small businesses and Principal Investigators (PIs) interested in performing COVID-19-related research and development. Given that COVID-19 and the associated impacts continue to evolve, small businesses are strongly encouraged to monitor the NSF website for updates and to submit a Project Pitch at any time.

1. Why has NSF archived DCL NSF 20-065?
2. Whom do I contact if I am still interested in submitting a COVID-19-related proposal?
3. How can I know if research that overlaps with my proposed project is already being funded?
4. How do I get started and when will I receive a response?
5. I was already invited to submit a full COVID-19 proposal, but I haven't submitted it yet. What should I expect now that the DCL has been archived?

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1. Why has NSF archived DCL NSF 20-065?

   In March 2020, NSF issued DCL NSF 20-065 and has since received numerous Project Pitches from small businesses to develop and deploy new technologies, products, processes, and services with the potential to positively impact the nation's and world's ability to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

   To review the COVID-19 related proposals in a timely manner, NSF has elected to roll new COVID-19 related Project Pitches and proposals into its existing process.

   The NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program continues to encourage small businesses to submit a Project Pitch for research and development related to COVID-19. Please choose from the existing NSF technology topic areas and include a description about how the proposed technology will make an impact on the current crisis. NSF remains open to small business inquiries concerning COVID-19 research.

2. Whom do I contact if I am still interested in submitting a COVID-19-related proposal?

   All questions about COVID-19-related research should be addressed directly to a cognizant NSF SBIR/STTR Program Director for the NSF program with which the research would be most closely aligned.

3. How can I know if research that overlaps with my proposed project is already being funded?

   We encourage you to review the COVID-19-related awards from small businesses here. Note that, while these are the projects that have been funded to date, additional proposals may be actively under consideration.

4. How do I get started and when will I receive a response?

   Submit a Project Pitch at any time. SBIR/STTR Program Directors will respond within three weeks.

5. I was already invited to submit a full COVID-19 proposal, but I haven't submitted it yet. What should I expect now that the DCL has been archived?

   All small businesses with an invited COVID-19-related Project Pitch are still welcome to submit a full proposal related to COVID-19 within a year of their official invitation. However, the full proposal should be prepared as a standard Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal under the guidance in NSF 20-527 or NSF 20-528. The processing timelines will be based on normal Phase I review timelines.