NSF

NSF SBIR/STTR · SBIR · Phase I

NSF 25-517 · Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (Topic AI)

Novel AI/ML methods, infrastructure and applications with a credible path from research to a fundable commercial product.

Closes Aug 20, 2026 Tech volume ≤ 15 pg Agency portal

Typical administrative requirements11 requirements · confirm against the solicitation

Page limitsNSF PAPPGMECHANICAL

Technical volume ≤ 15 pg

Cover sheet, cost volume and commercialization material are typically excluded from the count — confirm exclusions in the live solicitation.

15 pg

FontNSF PAPPGMECHANICAL

≥ 10 pt, no compression

Use a standard serif/sans face; condensed or narrow variants are commonly disallowed.

≥ 10 pt

MarginsNSF PAPPGMECHANICAL

≥ 1.0″ on all four sides

Margins are measured from the PDF page box and usually include headers and footers.

≥ 1.0″

Line spacingNSF PAPPGMECHANICAL

Single-spacing minimum

No more restrictive than single; tables and figures are typically exempt.

Single+

Required sectionsNSF PAPPGSEMANTIC

All mandated technical sections present

Match the solicitation's required structure and headings exactly — a mismatched heading is a known reject trigger.

Required

EligibilityNSF PAPPGSEMANTIC

US small business, < 500 employees

>50% US-owned and controlled by individuals; for SBIR the PI's primary employment must be with the firm at award.

SBC

Foreign ownershipNSF PAPPGSEMANTIC

FOCI / foreign-affiliation disclosure

Disclose foreign ownership, control or influence and the foreign affiliations of key personnel where required.

Disclose

RegistrationsNSF PAPPGSEMANTIC

SAM.gov + UEI active; SBC registry

Active SAM.gov registration and a valid Unique Entity ID at submission; SBA Company Registry for SBIR/STTR.

Active

Cost volumeNSF PAPPGSEMANTIC

Separate cost volume within the topic ceiling

Submitted separately from the technical volume and within the program/topic funding ceiling.

Separate

AI-use disclosureNSF PAPPGSEMANTIC

Disclose assistive AI use

Generative AI may typically assist with editing/formatting only; substantive content must be human-authored and any use disclosed where required.

If used

DeadlineNSF PAPPGMECHANICAL

Submit via the agency portal by Aug 20, 2026

The full electronic submission, including every volume, must be certified before the closing date/time.

Aug 20

AI-use disclosure · NSF

SolicitFit checks compliance — it never writes your proposal.

Confirm this agency's AI-use policy in the current solicitation. Generative AI may typically assist with editing and formatting only; substantive content must be human-authored and any use disclosed where required.

The next step

Check your draft against NSF 25-517

Paste this solicitation or upload the agency PDF to get the cited requirements matrix — then upload your draft for a line-item compliance report.

Run a free checkNo login · 2 / day

SolicitFit audits your human-written draft for administrative compliance. It does not write proposal content and is not legal advice or a guarantee of acceptance. Don't upload classified / ITAR / CUI material.