Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is sponsored by U.S. Air Force. The Air Force SBIR Program seeks innovative solutions from small businesses to meet specific Air Force needs, including autonomous systems for internal exploration and inspection of confined spaces.

Get Funded with AFWERX: Powering Air & Space Dominance Through Innovation AFWERX manages the Department of the Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, awarding approximately 10,400 SBIR/STTR contracts worth more than $7.

24 billion to startups and small businesses developing technologies with commercial and defense applications that strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. Discover how your small business can partner with AFWERX to solve critical challenges. DoD SBIR STTR Specific Topic 25.

4/D Release 12 SOLICITATION : DoD SBIR STTR Specific Topic 25. 4/D Release 12 PRE-RELEASE : 03 Sep 25 PY26. 1 DAF STRATFI Notice of Opportunity (Space Opportunities) Accepting Applications On Rolling Basis SOLICITATION : PY26.

1 DAF STRATFI Notice of Opportunity (Space Opportunities) PRE-RELEASE : N/A CLOSE : Accepting Applications On Rolling Basis AF – Solicitation includes U.S. Air Force topics SF – Solicitation includes U.S. Space Force topics View All DoW Active Solicitations The SBIR and STTR programs are key federal initiatives designed to harness the power of small businesses and research institutions for cutting-edge innovation.

Through these programs, AFWERX awards contracts to drive the development of technologies with both military and commercial potential. What are the key differences? Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) : Established in 1982, SBIR funds research and development (R&D) conducted by small businesses (500 or fewer employees).

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) : Established in 1992, STTR funds cooperative R&D projects between small businesses and non-profit U.S. research institutions (like universities). Both programs aim to transition promising commercial technologies into operational use for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, administered in partnership with the Small Business Administration .

The AFWERX Funding Process Find the Right Funding Path for Your Innovation at AFWERX. Funding Avenues by Topic Type Propose your innovative, dual-use technology that addresses a DAF mission need. Purpose : Explore broad DAF needs and find a customer.

Ideal for : Companies with novel ideas seeking early-stage R&D funding. Phase I Focus : Customer discovery and technical feasibility. Address a clearly defined problem identified by a DAF customer.

You’ll work directly with the end-user to solve a specific capability gap. Purpose : Solve pre-identified DAF challenges. Ideal for : Solutions directly aligned with specific DAF requirements.

Phase I Focus : Work closely with a DAF end-user. Funding Avenues by Phase of Development Phase I: Feasibility Study Prove the technical merit and commercial viability of your innovative idea. For Specific Topic efforts, this is a technical feasibility study.

For Open Topic, it also includes a critical customer discovery phase. Outcome : Prove concept and potential Phase II: Prototype Development Develop a working prototype and further mature your technology, typically requiring a DAF customer. This can be done either by advancing a successful Phase I project or by applying for a Direct to Phase II (D2P2) award.

Duration : Up to 24 months Requirement (Open Topic Only) : DAF Customer Memorandum for both Follow-On Phase IIs and D2P2 applicants. Direct to Phase II (D2P2) : This pathway allows qualified small businesses to start with a Phase II. A signed Customer Memorandum is only required for an Open Topic D2P2 as Specific Topics have a pre-identified customer.

STRATFI / TACFI: Growth Stage Investment Bridge the gap between early development and full commercialization. These programs provide significant funding to scale promising technologies. Purpose : Scale technology and achieve transition.

Eligibility : For successful Phase II projects (within 2 years). Key Feature : Requires matching funds from government, private investment, or a combination of both sources. Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) : $3M-$15M for strategic, high-impact capabilities.

Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) : $375K-$2M for tactical innovation and rapid transition. Phase III: Commercialization Transition your technology to operational use for the DAF or into the commercial market, funded by non-SBIR/STTR sources. Funding : No direct SBIR/STTR funding.

Source : Funded by other government contracts or private investment. Benefit : Completing Phase I/II can lead to sole-source Phase III contracts.

Eligibility & Information Applicant is a for-profit business based in the United States Principal investigator’s primary employment (more than 50 percent) must be with small business Additional requirements apply Applicant is a for-profit business based in the United States Partner with U.S. research institution Formal cooperative research and development effort At least 40% of work performed by small business while 30% of work performed by research institution Additional requirements apply Click HERE to view the Guide to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Eligibility System for Award Management (SAM) Before a contract can be awarded, you must be registered in the System for Award Management, or SAM.

SAM replaced the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), the Online Representations and Certifications Application, and the Excluded Parties List System. SAM allows firms interested in conducting business with the federal government to provide basic information on their business capabilities and financial information. Register HERE .

If you had an active record in CCR, then you have an active record in SAM. You will receive email notifications 60, 30, and 15 days prior to the expiration of the record. You can search for registered entities in SAM by typing the business name or DUNS number into the search box.

A SBIR or STTR Phase I, Phase II or Direct to Phase II (D2P2) proposal for any DoW component must be submitted through the online DoW Submission website (DSIP Portal). Proposal Select and Award If your firm’s proposal has been selected for an award, the principal investigator and corporate official indicated on the proposal cover sheet will be notified by email. You will receive an email for each selected proposal.

Please read each email carefully, paying close attention to the proposal and topic numbers. The email will emphasize that no work is to be performed at this time and that a Government Contract Negotiator or Contracting Officer will be contacting you.

Proposal Receipt and Status The Air Force is not responsible for ensuring email receipt by small businesses that have changed their email addresses since submission of the Phase I proposal without proper notification . If your email addresses have changed since proposal submission, please send an email to afrl. rgv.

SBIRSTTR@us. af. mil with the change.

All proposals being considered for funding during the selection process will be put through AFWERX’s Risk Based Analysis to ensure companies are compliant with government requirements and regulations prior to being awarded. FAQs Program Overview Acronym List SBIR/STTR Webinars DSIP Portal AFWERX Portfolio Investor-Focused Dashboard How to Read A Solicitation NOTICE: AFWERX & SpaceWERX email addresses are changing to @afrl. af.

mil effective Jan. 19. Please update your contacts.

Correspondence sent to @afwerx. af. mil addresses will expire on Feb.

18. *You may see this announcement again at any time by using the link in the footer of this website. You may see this announcement again at any time by using the link in the footer of this website.

Looking to connect and collaborate to find innovative commercial solutions to accelerate U.S. defense capabilities? Are you interested in learning about opportunities to collaborate and engage with AFWERX? Join the AFWERX Portal Now!