Non-dilutive funding, matched to your startup
FundingX-Ray: the free scanner that tells you which grants and SBIR/STTR topics your startup actually qualifies for. Every new topic release, scored against your product, deadlines attached.
Run your free scan
Two minutes with our analyst. Your answers stay between us; the match list is yours to keep.
Beta: matches are directional estimates against currently open topics, not a guarantee of award or eligibility. Your description is stored to send your matches and improve matching; never sold, never shared.
How the scanner works
- 1
Describe your product
Two sentences about what you build and who it serves. No business plan, no forms.
- 2
Get ranked matches
Every open SBIR/STTR topic and major grant program, scored for fit, with eligibility rules applied automatically (including the 51% U.S.-ownership requirement).
- 3
Act before the deadline
Topic Watch (optional) re-runs your profile every month when agencies release new topics and emails you only the fits. Want the proposal written? The desk behind this tool has $1.2M in awarded funding and delivers in days, not weeks.
SBIR/STTR grants, matched to what you build
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and its sibling STTR award roughly $4 billion a year to U.S. startups across 11 federal agencies, with zero equity taken. NSF, NIH, DoD, DOE, NASA and the rest release new funding topics on different schedules, and most founders find out about the right topic after the deadline. FundingX-Ray flips that: describe your product once, and every new topic release gets matched against it, with fit scores, eligibility rules applied, and deadlines attached.
Programs covered
SBIR/STTR is the flagship: 11 federal agencies, roughly $4 billion a year, no equity taken. The scanner adds new program families regularly.
| Agency / program | Focus | Phase I award | Release cadence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSF (America's Seed Fund) | Deep tech, AI, computing | Up to $305K | 2 windows/year + Project Pitch |
| DoD (Army, Navy, Air Force, DARPA...) | Defense applications, dual-use tech | $75K-$300K | Topics monthly (DoD-wide) |
| NIH | Biotech, health, life sciences | Up to $400K | 3 cycles/year |
| DOE | Energy, climate, cleantech | $150K-$200K | 2 windows/year |
| NASA | Space, aeronautics, sensors | Up to $150K | 3 windows/year |
| USDA / EPA / NIST / DHS / DOT / ED | Sector-specific programs | $100K-$200K | 1-3 windows/year |
On the roadmap: U.S. R&D tax credit (Section 41) eligibility checks, Canadian SR&ED and IRAP, and Canada Media Fund programs.
What does SBIR proposal help cost in 2026?
Market rates for a competitive Phase I proposal, side by side.
| Route | Typical cost | Your time | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write it yourself | $0 | 80-200 hours | Compliance slips get proposals returned unread; a missed window costs 6-12 months |
| Freelance grant writer | $5,000-$20,000 per proposal | 30-60 hours | Usually no independent compliance QA |
| AI drafting tools | $50-$500/month | 40-100 hours | Generic AI phrasing is increasingly penalized by reviewers |
| Full-service consultancy | Engagement fee + success fee | 3-5 hours | Quality varies widely; check sector fit and reviewer experience |
| FundingX-Ray desk | Flat fee, quoted upfront | 3-5 hours | AI-speed drafting with operator judgment: $1.2M awarded track record |
Frequently asked questions
What is non-dilutive funding?
Non-dilutive funding is capital you receive without giving up equity: government grants (SBIR/STTR), research and development tax credits, and program awards. Unlike venture capital, the funder takes no ownership and no board seat. The U.S. government alone awards roughly $4 billion a year through SBIR/STTR across 11 agencies.
What are the eligibility requirements for SBIR/STTR?
To qualify for federal SBIR/STTR funding: your company must be a for-profit business located in the United States; at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents; have fewer than 500 employees; and the Principal Investigator must be primarily employed by the company. Registration on SAM.gov is required and free.
How much does an SBIR proposal consultant cost?
Market rates in 2026: freelance grant writers charge $5,000-$20,000 per proposal; hourly consultants run $75-$250 per hour; full-service consultancies combine an engagement fee with a success fee on award; AI drafting tools run $50-$500 per month but leave you 40-100 hours of work and often produce generic phrasing reviewers penalize. Writing it yourself costs 80-200 hours of founder and PI time.
How long does an SBIR proposal take?
Plan 4-8 weeks of calendar time from topic selection to submission, plus federal registrations (SAM.gov can take weeks) started before writing. DoD releases new topics the first Wednesday of every month and closes them about four weeks later, so the writing window per topic is short. Phase I awards run roughly $75,000-$305,000 depending on agency, with Phase II up to $1.8M.
What is the difference between SBIR and STTR?
Both fund U.S. small businesses through 11 federal agencies, but STTR requires the small business to partner with a nonprofit research institution (like a university lab), which holds at least 30% of the work. SBIR is solo-company. Awards, phases and eligibility rules are otherwise similar; Phase I runs roughly $75,000-$305,000 and Phase II up to $1.8M depending on agency.
When are new SBIR topics released?
The Department of Defense releases new SBIR/STTR topics on the first Wednesday of each month, closing the last Wednesday of the following month. NSF runs fixed windows (with a required Project Pitch submitted first), NIH accepts applications three times a year, and other agencies post one to three solicitations annually. FundingX-Ray tracks all of these release cycles for you.
Get first access
The scanner launches in the coming weeks. Join the waitlist and your first match lands in your inbox the day the DoD topics drop, before public access opens. Also run the free PayrollX-Ray analyzer to see what AI can automate in your payroll.
Join the FundingX-Ray waitlist
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