Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, MARCH 23, 2022 – PARADIGM EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGIES, Inc. has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $256,000 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on a plasma reactor technology for decarbonizing diesel emissions in high temperature exhaust.

Decarbonizing diesel emissions by using plasma reactors in the full range of engine exhaust temperatures can reduce global CO₂ production by over 200 million tons annually, supports a net-zero emissions strategy and advances the health and welfare of society, especially in disadvantaged inner-city communities where a higher density of diesel is in use.  To accomplish this, fundamental science and engineering research of high temperature and high voltage materials and components is required for the effective application of plasma science in the hot and harsh environment of diesel exhaust.

“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”

“We are thrilled and honored to have been selected for this prestigious NSF SBIR Phase I award,” said John Erbland, Paradigm’s CEO. “Our customers and technology development partners are extremely excited about the high impact potential for this research and how the commercial outcomes of this NSF project will make remarkable contributions to their industries.  This investment by the NSF advances Paradigm further in our quest to decarbonize global emissions and achieve a net-zero environment.”

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $275,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Small businesses with Phase II funding are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

Startups or entrepreneurs who submit a written Project Pitch will know within one month if they meet the program’s objectives to support innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/

About the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Programs: America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $2 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.