Funds scientific research and education. Buyer of research services, IT infrastructure, and educational programs.
FY2026 Budget
$10B+ (research funding, science education, infrastructure)
OSDBU Contact
Office of Small Business Programs - smallbiz@nsf.gov
2026 Trend
Quantum computing research, climate science, artificial intelligence, STEM education programs
Top NAICS Codes for NSF
These industry classifications represent the largest procurement focus areas.
541711
541320
541611
611210
334512
Typical Procurement Areas & Recompetes
Scientific research services and laboratories
STEM education programs and curriculum development
Research infrastructure and computing systems
Data management and analytics services
Procurement Focus & Strategy
- Research and development contracts favor innovation
- Academic partnerships and small research teams valued
- Peer-reviewed research often required
- Publication and intellectual property sharing expected
Forecast Strategy for Contractors
NSF is excellent for research-focused contractors and academic teams. Lower contract volumes but intellectual satisfaction high. Good for specialized R&D. IP ownership more collaborative than typical government contracts.
How to Use This Forecast
- Monitor updates. NSF updates their forecast quarterly. Check back every 3 months for new opportunities.
- Match your NAICS. Focus on recompetes and opportunities in your primary NAICS codes (listed above).
- Research past winners. Use WinBidIQ's USAspending data to find who won the last contract. Model your proposal after them.
- Contact early. Reach out to Office of Small Business Programs - smallbiz@nsf.gov (their small business contact) 6-12 months before RFP release to ask questions and register.
- Prepare the proposal early. Start writing 60-90 days before RFP release. When RFP drops, you're 80% done.
Get Forecast Alerts for NSF
WinBidIQ monitors NSF forecasts and alerts you when new pre-solicitations match your company's NAICS codes and certifications.
Start Free Trial →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Science Foundation procurement forecast for FY2026?
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National Science Foundation (NSF) has a FY2026 budget of $10B+ (research funding, science education, infrastructure). The procurement trend for 2026 is: Quantum computing research, climate science, artificial intelligence, STEM education programs. Key NAICS codes active at this agency include 541711, 541320, 541611.
How can small businesses access NSF forecast data?
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National Science Foundation publishes its procurement forecast through SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and agency-specific forecast portals. Contact the OSDBU at Office of Small Business Programs - smallbiz@nsf.gov to request upcoming acquisition forecasts directly. Many agencies publish annual small business forecasts 6-12 months in advance of RFP release.
What types of contracts does NSF forecast for small businesses?
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National Science Foundation forecasts set-aside competitions for: Scientific research services and laboratories; STEM education programs and curriculum development; Research infrastructure and computing systems. These include both new requirements and recompetes of existing contracts. Monitoring recompetes is the most reliable way to find upcoming opportunities at this agency.
What NAICS codes should I focus on for NSF contracts?
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The highest-volume NAICS codes at National Science Foundation are: 541711, 541320, 541611, 611210, 334512. Register these in your SAM.gov profile and set up SAM.gov email alerts filtered by these codes and NSF as the awarding agency to receive daily notifications of new solicitations.
How far in advance does NSF post contract forecasts?
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Most federal agencies, including National Science Foundation, post procurement forecasts 6-12 months before RFP release. Follow the OSDBU (Office of Small Business Programs - smallbiz@nsf.gov) and subscribe to industry day announcements. Engaging with the agency pre-RFP — through RFI responses, capability statement submissions, and industry days — significantly increases your probability of win when the solicitation drops.