*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -<ul> <li>Proposers must obtain an official invitation to submit a proposal.To receive the invitation, potential proposers must submit a<a href="https://seedfund.nsf.gov/apply/project-pitch/" target="_blank">Project Pitch</a>and receive an official response (via email) from the cognizant Program Officer. Project Pitch invitations are valid for two deadlines after the date of the initial official invitation from NSF; for example, if an official invitation is received on May 30, 2024, the proposer may submit for either the September 18, 2024, or November 6 deadline. In this example, submissions after November 6, 2024 will require a new Project Pitch invitation.</li> <li>Firms qualifying as a small business concern are eligible to participate in the NSF SBIR/STTR programs (see&#8239;<a href="https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/elig_size_compliance_guide.pdf" target="_blank">Eligibility Guide</a>&#8239;for more information). Please note that the size limit of 500 employees&#8239;includes affiliates. The firm must be in compliance with the&#8239;<a href="https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBA%20SBIR_STTR_POLICY_DIRECTIVE_May2023.pdf" target="_blank">SBIR/STTR Policy Directive</a>&#8239;and the Code of Federal Regulations (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=50ff66d5d1cc9357d5f4ce114fcc5c79&amp;mc=true&amp;node=pt13.1.121&amp;rgn=div5" target="_blank">13 CFR Part 121</a>). For STTR proposals, the proposing small business must also include a partner research institution in the project, see additional details below.</li> </ul> In compliance with the<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-117publ167/pdf/PLAW-117publ167.pdf">CHIPS and Science Act of 2022</a>, Section 10636 (Person or entity of concern prohibition) (<a href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:19235%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section19235)&amp;f=treesort&amp;edition=prelim&amp;num=0&amp;jumpTo=true">42 U.S.C. 19235</a>): No person published on the list under section 1237(b) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (<a href="https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ261/PLAW-105publ261.pdf">Public Law 105-261</a>;<a href="https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/115/44.pdf">50 U.S.C. 1701 note</a>) or<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/06/28/2021-13753/notice-of-designation-of-chinese-military-companies-under-the-william-m-mac-thornberry-ndaa-for-fy21">entity identified under section 1260H</a>of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (<a href="https://policy.defense.gov/portals/11/Documents/hdasa/references/10%20USC%20113%20(Note).pdf#:~:text=10%20U.S.C.%20%C2%A7113%20%28Note%29%20Sec.%20113%20%28Note%29%20Database,of%20emergency%20response%20capabilities%20that%20includes%20the%20following%3A">10 U.S.C. 113 note</a>;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ283/PLAW-116publ283.pdf">Public Law 116-283</a>) may receive or participate in any grant, award, program, support, or other activity under the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. <span>Individuals who are a current party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program are not eligible to serve as a Senior/Key Person on an NSF proposal or on any NSF award made after May 20, 2024. See current PAPPG for additional information on required certifications associated with Malign Foreign Talent Organization. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must certify that all individuals identified as Senior/Key Personnel have been made aware of and have complied with their responsibility under that section to certify that the individual is not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program.</span> The startup&rsquo;s or small business&rsquo; research and development (R&amp;D) must be performed within the United Sta