TRL

Technology Readiness Levels were originally developed by NASA in the 1970s and are now used across all federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense. The scale provides a common language for evaluating how close a technology is to being deployable.

TRL 1-3 covers basic research through proof of concept. TRL 4-6 covers laboratory validation through prototype demonstration in a relevant environment. TRL 7-9 covers system prototype through proven operation in an operational environment. Most SBIR Phase I projects target TRL 3-4, and Phase II projects target TRL 5-7.

Understanding TRLs is essential for government proposals. Agencies use TRL assessments to determine which funding mechanism is appropriate, how much risk a project carries, and what milestones to expect. Overstating your TRL is a common mistake that erodes credibility with reviewers.

At FATHOMWERX, Matter Labs helps startups demonstrate TRL advancement by providing access to real-world testing environments where technologies can be validated against actual operational conditions.