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AFWERX is the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), comprising four core arms: AFVentures, Spark, Prime, and SpaceWERX. The 2026 SBIR/STTR program supports U.S.-owned small businesses developing AI, autonomous systems, and dual-use technologies aligned with the Department of the Air Force's strategic goal of becoming an AI-first force.
AFWERX uses a predictable monthly cadence with pre-releases on the first Wednesday of each month, followed by one-month open submission windows. The program offers a structured progression from Phase I feasibility studies ($75K-$180K) through Phase II prototype development ($1. 25M-$1.
8M) to growth-stage funding via TACFI ($375K-$2M) and STRATFI ($3M-$15M), enabling small AI companies to scale from initial concept to operational deployment. AI focus areas align with the DAF AI Strategy released in 2026, including decision-support AI, autonomous platforms, AI for predictive maintenance, computer vision for ISR, and human-machine teaming. Upcoming FY2026 open solicitations include DoW SBIR Specific Topic 26.
BZ Release 1 (May 6-June 3, 2026), Release 2 (May 27-June 24, 2026), and STTR Specific Topic 26. TZ Release 1 (May 6-June 3, 2026).
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: SBIR: For-profit U.S. business with 500 or fewer employees, at least 51% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Principal investigator must have primary employment (>50%) with the small business. STTR: Additionally requires partnership with a U.S. research institution (university or federal lab), with at least 40% of work by the small business and 30% by the research institution. STRATFI/TACFI eligibility limited to successful Phase II projects within 2 years of award. All applicants must register in System for Award Management (SAM). Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows phase I (Feasibility): $75,000-$180,000 for 3-12 months. Phase II (Prototype): $1.25M-$1.8M for up to 24 months. TACFI (Tactical Funding Increase): $375K-$2M for growth-stage Phase II projects. STRATFI (Strategic Funding Increase): $3M-$15M for strategically aligned post-Phase II projects. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was June 25, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
AFWERX SBIR STTR FY2026 with STRATFI and TACFI for AI and Air Force Innovation is funded by Department of the Air Force (administered by AFWERX in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
The FY2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education, with emphasis on multidisciplinary research where more than one traditional discipline interacts. The Army, Navy, and Air Force basic research offices are seeking applications across 22 topic areas including artificial intelligence and autonomy, information sensing and processing, and systems manipulation. MURI grants typically provide $1.25 million to $1.5 million per year for three years with option to extend two additional years. Approximately $170 million in total funding is available annually across all topics. The program is administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Army Research Office (ARO), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
The USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) 2026 provides $175 million in annual funding for research addressing the needs of the specialty crop industry, with a groundbreaking new $20 million set-aside for mechanization and automation research. For the first time, the SCRI Notice of Funding Opportunity explicitly funds AI-driven automation technologies to help specialty crop growers reduce labor costs, which have been among the most persistent financial pressures in fruit, vegetable, tree nut, and horticulture production. Priority areas include data-driven predictive tools using artificial intelligence, robotics, sensor technologies, precision agriculture, improved mechanization technologies that delay or inhibit ripening, decision support systems, management of quarantine pests, and cybersecurity for agricultural systems. The funding increase was enabled by the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, more than doubling the previous SCRI budget from $80 million to $175 million per year. Applications are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on June 15, 2026. This represents the largest federal investment specifically targeting AI and automation in specialty crop agriculture.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that funds multidisciplinary teams working to solve national-scale societal challenges through convergence research and innovation. Launched in 2019 under NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, the program operates in two phases: Phase 1 awards are up to $750,000, with successful teams advancing to larger Phase 2 awards. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education and nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Track I and Track K focus on specific high-priority topics announced each funding cycle. The next deadline is June 15, 2026. Proposals must comply with updated NSF research security policies effective July 2025.
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