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AFWERX Open Topic (Focused Open Topics for 2026) is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX). The AFWERX Open Topic program, now 'Focused Open Topics' for 2026, allows small businesses to propose their own technology solutions to address Department of the Air Force applications, rather than responding to narrowly defined technical requirements.
This includes dual-use technologies applicable to both defense and non-defense markets that can solve a DAF mission need and prototype on an accelerated schedule. Phase I funds customer discovery to identify Air Force end-users for follow-on Phase II contracts.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: U.S. for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, developing dual-use technologies. Must be registered in SAM.gov and have a DSIP account. Confirm the full requirements on the funder's own website before applying.
The current listing shows phase I: up to $75,000 (SBIR), $110,000 (STTR); Phase II: up to $1.25M (SBIR), $1.8M (STTR). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs on the funder's own website.
Applications for AFWERX Open Topic (Focused Open Topics for 2026) are due November 25, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
AFWERX Open Topic (Focused Open Topics for 2026) is funded by U.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX). Verify program details on the funder's own website before applying.
Start from the funder's website linked on this page and look for its grants or funding section — the link goes to the funder's site rather than a specific solicitation.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
Release 1 pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28 and closes November 25 at noon ET. Seven of 13 Air Force SBIR topics are Direct to Phase II at $2M, a new one-proposal-per-topic rule took effect October 1, and the Army xTech topic needs a white paper by October 23.
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Read articleFA955026S0003 posted September 8 with full proposals due December 4, 2026 — but a five-page white paper is required by October 9, questions close September 17, and the PhD window admits degrees earned after April 1, 2019 only. At $450,000 over three years with no collaborators permitted, this is the most restrictive of the three service early-career programs and the only one with an LPS quantum carve-out.
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