Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IA 2026: Solicitation

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (RFP #91990026R0003) from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) SBIR Program seeks proposals for "Phase IA" projects. The program aims to fund the research and development of novel, commercially viable education technology products for which little to no prior development has occurred. The goal is to build a portfolio of research-based products addressing critical needs in education.

• Development of a prototype of a novel education technology product.

• The product should be for use by learners, educators, or administrators.

• Focus on ground-breaking, high-risk, high-reward approaches.

• Projects must be independent from and employ a different technological approach than any existing products developed by the offeror or project team members.

• If limited prior development exists, the prototype must not yet be usable by end-users without developer assistance.

• A pilot study to test the prototype's usability and feasibility with end-users.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price.

• Phase IA Award Amount: Up to $250,000.

• Phase IA Period of Performance: Nine (9) months.

• Anticipated Award Start Date: October 5, 2026.

• Phase II Award (for successful Phase IA awardees): Up to $1,000,000 over two years for full development and commercialization.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m. ET.

• Proposals must be submitted via email to David.Yadeta@ed.gov (CC: David.Geary@ed.gov).

• Evaluation Criteria: Significance, Phase I R&D Plan, Project Team and Budget, and Prior SBIR Projects (if applicable).

• Proposals will undergo pre-review screening, triage evaluation, and a full technical review.

• Open to eligible for-profit small business firms.

• Specific requirements regarding ownership, control, and employee numbers apply (refer to SBA guidelines).

• Offerors are not permitted to submit the same or similar proposals under the 2026 Phase IA, IB, or Direct to Phase II solicitations.

• Key Dates: Solicitation Release (April 30, 2026), Questions Deadline (May 21, 2026), Proposal Submission (June 29, 2026), Notification (September 28, 2026), Earliest Award Start (October 5, 2026).

• Offerors must register on SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• Specific formatting and content requirements for proposal sections (A-N) are detailed within the solicitation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (RFP Number: 91990026R0003) from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) invites eligible for-profit small business firms to submit proposals for "Phase IA" projects. The goal is to research and develop a prototype of a novel education technology product for which no or limited previous development has occurred. Awardees of Phase IA contracts are eligible to apply for a $1,000,000 Phase II award to further develop the product and prepare for commercialization.

• Develop a prototype of a novel education technology product.

• The product should address pressing problems in education and be suitable for learners, educators, or administrators.

• Projects must focus on "ground-breaking high-risk high-reward approaches."

• The product must be independent from and employ a different technological approach than any existing products developed by the small business or project team.

• Offerors must conduct a pilot study to test the prototype with end-users.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price

• Phase IA Contract Period: Nine (9) months

• Phase IA Award Amount: Up to $250,000

• Phase II Award Amount: Up to $1,000,000 (for eligible Phase IA awardees)

• Earliest possible award start date: October 5, 2026

• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)

• Proposals must be submitted as a single MS WORD or PDF document via email.

• Evaluation will be based on Significance (40 points), Phase I R&D Plan (30 points), Project Team, Budget, and Prior SBIR Projects (30 points).

• Proposals will undergo pre-review screening, triage evaluation, and full technical review.

• Must be a domestic for-profit small business.

• Specific eligibility requirements related to ownership, control, and employee numbers are detailed in the solicitation.

• Offerors are not permitted to submit the same or similar proposals under the 2026 Phase IA, IB, or Direct to Phase II solicitations.

• The solicitation is for "Phase IA" projects, distinct from "Phase IB" (integrating new components into existing prototypes) and "Direct to Phase II" solicitations.

• Offerors are encouraged to include a YouTube video demonstration of their proposed project.

• Detailed proposal content, formatting, and submission instructions are provided throughout the document.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for the 2026 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IA program, anticipated to be released on or about April 30, 2026. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) are seeking proposals from eligible for-profit small businesses and partners for the research, development, and evaluation of novel, commercially viable education technology products.

• The Phase IA solicitation will invite proposals for contracts up to $250,000.

• Projects will focus on developing and evaluating a prototype of an entirely novel education technology product with limited or no previous development.

• The period of performance for Phase IA is 9 months.

• The priority area is "Prototypes of Novel Education Technology Products for Use by Learners, Educators or Administrators (or Other School Personnel)".

• Successful Phase IA awardees may be eligible for a Phase II award of $1,000,000 in 2027 for further development, evaluation, and commercialization.

• Phase IA contracts are for $250,000 over 9 months.

• Phase II awards are for $1,000,000 over 2 years.

• Proposal submission is expected in late June 2026, approximately 60 days after the solicitation release.

• Specific submission instructions and evaluation criteria will be detailed in the full solicitation.

• Awards are for eligible for-profit small businesses and partners.

• The program aims to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector and strengthen the role of small businesses.

• This notice is not a request for proposals; interested parties should monitor for updates.

• Offerors cannot submit the same or similar proposals under the 2026 Phase IA, IB, Direct to Phase II, or Phase II solicitations; duplicate proposals will be rejected.

• Related solicitations for Phase IB (component development) and Direct to Phase II (scaling evidence-based innovations) will also be released.

• A FAQ page is available for assistance: https://ies.ed.gov/small-business-innovation-research-sbir/edies-sbir-frequently-asked-questions