NASA SBIR/STTR Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP), Program Year 2026
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The NASA Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) is a post-Phase II opportunity that matches private or non-SBIR government investment with additional SBIR/STTR program funds to accelerate a technology's transition to commercial or mission use. Eligible small businesses must have a completed, ongoing, or sequential NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II award and must secure an external investor willing to co-fund the maturation effort. NASA matches investor funds dollar-for-dollar, up to $2.5 million in SBIR/STTR funds against $2.5 million in outside investment, for a total award of up to $5 million.
Applications close August 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
This is a matching-funds pilot program requiring a secured external investor, a Letter of Commitment, and a 30-page technical application submitted through ProSAMS.
How much funding would I receive?
NASA matches SBIR/STTR program funds between $500,000 and $2.5 million per award, matched 1:1 by external investment, for a combined award of up to $5 million.
Eligibility Pathways (must meet one):
A completed NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II award (issued from NASA solicitations in approximately the last 10 years) with the Phase II period of performance complete by August 19, 2026
NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II-E options resulting from Phase I awards starting in Program Year 2014 or later, regardless of when their period of performance ends
An ongoing or completed NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II Sequential award
Investor Requirement:
Must secure one or more investors external to the SBIR/STTR program (a company, VC firm, individual investor, or non-SBIR government program)
Owners, family members, and affiliates of the small business do not qualify as external investors
A signed Letter of Commitment from each investor is required at application, with matching funds transferred within 45 calendar days of selection notification
Other Key Requirements:
Small business must have 500 or fewer employees, combined with affiliates
Businesses majority-owned by multiple VC firms, hedge funds, or private equity firms are not eligible
Principal Investigator must be primarily employed by the small business; co-PIs are not allowed
NAICS code must be 541713 or 541715 at time of award
Active SAM.gov registration required at submission and award
Are there any additional benefits I would receive? Yes, non-dilutive and strategic benefits include:
Equity-free matching funds to accelerate commercialization beyond Phase II
Access to NASA's Technology Available (TAV) patent and software portfolio for use in the project
Optional participation in the NSF I-Corps™ program, with up to $30,000 in additional support
External validation of commercial potential through a qualified third-party investor
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding? Application deadline: August 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, submitted via ProSAMS
Anticipated period of performance: 24 months (may not exceed 30 months)
Investor funds must be transferred within 45 calendar days of selection notification; NASA does not accept investments obligated more than 60 days (non-government) or 90 days (federal/state government) prior to selection notification
No formal timeline for award and disbursement is specified in the solicitation beyond the negotiation process following selection
Where does this funding come from?
NASA SBIR/STTR Program, matched with funds from an external, non-SBIR/STTR investor
Applications processed by the NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office (NASA Ames) with contracting through the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC)
Who is eligible to apply?
U.S.-based small business concerns with a qualifying NASA Phase II history, as described above
Must register with the SBA Company Registry and SAM.gov, and submit via ProSAMS at https://prosams.nasa.gov/
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Applications are evaluated across four factors:
Scientific/Technical Merit and Feasibility — originality and feasibility of the proposed R&D, plus a review of prior Phase II results and objectives met
Experience, Qualifications, and Facilities — technical capability of the PI, key personnel, and any subcontractors, plus adequacy of instrumentation and facilities
Effectiveness of the Proposed Work Plan — comprehensiveness of the maturation strategy, schedule, resource allocation, and path beyond CCRPP toward NASA mission infusion
Commercial Potential and Feasibility — market segmentation, competitive landscape, commercialization plan, IP protection strategy, and prior commercialization track record
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
CCRPP funds may only be used to build on the firm's Phase II work; duplicative or unrelated effort is not eligible
Firms may not have already received a CCRPP or equivalent award (e.g., Commercialization Readiness Program) for the same Phase II technology
Subcontracting, including consultants, may not exceed 50 percent of the research effort
Technical application is capped at 30 pages, 1-inch margins, 10-point type minimum
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The application requires a 30-page technical application (Customer Objectives, Additional Commercialization Information, and Implementation Approach), a detailed budget covering both SBIR/STTR and investor funds, a Briefing Chart, and a signed Letter of Commitment from each investor. Firms without an already-committed investor should expect the investor search and commitment process to be the longest lead item.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support:
Identifying and vetting appropriate external investors and structuring compliant Letters of Commitment
Translating your Phase II results into a Commercialization Plan aligned to the four-factor evaluation rubric
Building a credible budget and maturation schedule that satisfies NASA's matching-fund timing rules
Positioning past performance and IP strategy for NASA evaluators
