TLDR: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded more than $1.8 million in Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants to 18 small businesses. These funds will support the development of new products and services in critical technological areas, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and additive manufacturing. The projects aim to establish the feasibility and commercial potential of proposed research, with a six-month timeline for Phase I.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced on August 18, 2025, that it has awarded over $1.8 million to 18 small businesses through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. These Phase I awards are designed to foster research and development in key technological sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing, standards development, and semiconductor devices.
The selection process was highly competitive, with projects chosen based on their innovative proposals and their alignment with NIST’s research priorities. Each Phase I project is slated for a six-month period, commencing August 1, 2025, and concluding January 31, 2026. Successful awardees will then be eligible to apply for Phase II funding, which can provide up to $400,000 to further their work.
Among the notable recipients is AAPlasma LLC from Grove City, Ohio, which received $99,970. Their project focuses on the direct destruction of PFAS and other recalcitrant contaminants on filtration media using non-equilibrium plasma. This technology aims to provide wastewater treatment plants with an efficient, on-site method to destroy persistent contaminants, significantly reducing the high costs associated with traditional thermal reactivation or disposal methods.
Another awardee, Advanced Cooling Technologies Inc. from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, secured $106,499 for its research into the manufacturing and measurements of 3D-printed porous structures. This pre-standardization research is crucial for evaluating the performance of these structures, which are vital components in heat transfer systems for spacecraft and satellites. Establishing robust standards in this area is essential for the broader adoption and advancement of this technology.
Several projects are directly leveraging artificial intelligence. One such initiative involves the development of a machine learning-based laser powder bed fusion in-situ monitoring package. This advanced technology is designed to enhance the quality of metal components produced through additive manufacturing by integrating real-time monitoring into commercial systems. The potential applications span numerous commercial and military industries. The tool developed will provide critical data on stresses, viscosity, and other factors influencing print quality, thereby optimizing printing speed, minimizing defects, and supporting the creation of new materials while ensuring consistent quality in 3D-printed parts.
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These awards underscore NIST’s commitment to supporting small businesses in driving innovation and addressing critical technical needs across various high-impact fields, with a clear emphasis on the transformative potential of AI in manufacturing and other sectors.
