The EPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant solicitation is open as of September 24, 2026, and will close on November 8, 2026. As part of “America’s Seed Fund,” EPA SBIR funds small businesses to develop and commercialize innovative environmental technologies in broad focus areas which include clean and safe water, air quality, land revitalization, homeland security, sustainable materials management/circular economy, safer chemicals, and risk assessment. Proposals should be responsive to the annual topics under these broad areas. This year there are 10 topic areas, including the following on battery recycling/collection:
TOPIC 3B: CRITICAL MINERAL RECOVERY FROM LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES AND SAFE RECYCLING/REUSE OF BATTERIES.
Innovative technologies to improve safety during collection and transport of end-of-life and damaged lithium-ion batteries for recycling. This may include technologies (1) for packaging lithium batteries to prevent thermal runaway during accumulation; (2) to evaluate batteries for damage before accumulation or transport; and (3) to discharge lithium batteries that may still contain significant voltage to preemptively remove the charge, preventing thermal runaway.
For more information on how to apply, view How to Apply for an SBIR Contract | US EPA or visit the informational webinar page at EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I Solicitation: Informational Webinar | US EPA.
If you have questions about this SBIR grant solicitation, please contact:
- EPA SBIR Program contacts: Sneha Hoysala: hoysala.sneha@epa.gov Deborah Segal: segal.deborah@epa.gov
- EPA SBIR Contracts Office contact: Paige Long: long.paige@epa.gov
More Resources:
SBIR Funding Opportunities | US EPA
