1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
This listing may be outdated. Verify details at the official source before applying.
Find similar grantsApplication deadline was June 25, 2025. Today is 2026-05-25, so this solicitation is expired.
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality for Railroad Inspection & Maintenance is sponsored by U.S. Army SBIR|STTR Program. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.
Get a weekly digest of new grants like this
A free weekly digest of new foundation and federal funding opportunities as they're added to Granted. Unsubscribe anytime.
Or search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for Railroad Inspection and Maintenance – Army SBIR|STTR Program Immersive and Wearables, Army SBIR, Phase I Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) for Railroad Inspection and Maintenance Solicitation: 25. 4 | 25.
D Topic Number: A254-031 | A25D-010 Application Due Date: 06/25/2025 This topic seeks to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a stand-alone augmented-reality/virtual-reality (AR/VR) system for railroad inspection, maintenance, and training to enhance military logistics and infrastructure repair through real-time visualization and predictive capabilities.
AR and VR technologies can enable real-time, interactive overlays of digital data onto the physical world. They can be fully or partially immersive and offer a wide range of applications that can reduce downtime and increase knowledge for inexperienced users.
A recent study by Workplace from Meta in 2022, indicated that up to 45% of frontline workers were planning to leave their job that year alone, impacting the ability to maintain institutional knowledge. To combat the reduction in knowledge and understanding the need to train new employees in a rapid fashion, companies are modernizing their training methods by adding AR and VR technologies to the training process.
A survey conducted by Forbes showed that 86% of respondents had a favorable view of the changes and saw improvement with their quality of the training they received [1]. Traditional methods of railroad track inspection, assessment, and repair are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require trained and experienced personnel.
AR/VR technologies can also be utilized to give military personnel access to important, detailed information, such as schematics, diagnostic data, and repair instructions while working in remote locations. The Army awarded Microsoft a 10-year contract to modify their Hololens into a mixed reality headset to support the warfighter that can utilize and combine multiple battlefields sensors already used by soldiers.
The Hololens is an untethered holographic device that is used by a wide variety of commercial entities such as airlines and auto manufacturers of high-end vehicles to train personnel and improve efficiency of new employees. The first design was made for civilian use and did not have ruggedized features needed for combat or utilization in the field.
According to The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), the DoD’s version of the Hololens developed by Microsoft, is a head mounted device, worn by soldiers, that includes a see-through heads-up display (HUD), with a variety of sensors used for navigation and operation in low light environments [2].
There have been many issues with advancement and several iterations of the software but “The Army is planning to use IVAS 1. 0 systems in its schoolhouses as mission planning tools” [3]. The utilization of the IVAS, will allow maintenance tasks to be completed quicker, reduces errors, and enhances overall operational efficiency, especially in remote or high-risk environments where downtime can be critical [4].
AR and VR technologies are important to include to enhance railroad inspections and maintenance capabilities, particularly for military logistics. The ability to overlay maintenance guidance directly onto equipment and other detailed tasks will enable soldiers to perform their tasks more effectively, without requiring extensive technical expertise [5].
These changes will help create a safer working environment and while enabling soldiers be more adaptable and versatile while handling different types of maintenance on rail and other infrastructure systems.
AR and VR technologies will reduce repair times and improve the accuracy of inspections, which strengthens military logistics capabilities and enhances the warfighter’s ability to sustain operations in dynamic, challenging environments. This topic is only accepting Phase I proposals for a cost up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance.
Demonstrate the feasibility of using a stand-alone, goggle-based system to detect and identify railroad components, differentiate gauge types, and estimate crater volumes in a remote location or contested environment. Develop augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality example scenarios to highlight the differences to formulate the best methodology [6].
Deliver a report documenting the research and development efforts along with a detailed description of the proposed methodology. Program and develop the proposed software technology. Develop a set of small-scale field scenarios to demonstrate the performance of the developed goggle-based system.
Apply the proposed visualization methodology to a track in operational condition and a track that has experienced real-world or simulated damage that results in a crater in the crib of the track. Demonstrate that the technology could be used on a wide range of rail geometries and designs and could estimate crater volumes to generate subgrade and ballast material quantities needed to make repairs.
Determine the limitations of performance in the field and field-of-view capabilities of the prototype. Demonstrate the feasibility of using the system in various weather and lighting conditions. Develop a study that systematically varies the rail gauge, depth of ballast, and volume of missing ballast to determine the conditions for field operations.
In addition, determine the environmental stability of the goggle system: relevant variables to consider are temperature effects, corrosion resistance, and battery life.
Deliver a reporting document that includes the development and execution of small-scale scenarios, on various track conditions, displaying the ability of the system to identify track components, the analysis on the ability of the system to accurately estimate fill material quantities, and the environmental stability of the proposed equipment and limitations for use. Provide a field demonstration of Phase II findings.
Yes, there are multiple industries that have already adopted AR/VR or are moving to AR/VR for training and evaluation. There is potential in the railroad industry for track inspection and maintenance and maintenance of locomotives and rail cars. Other infrastructure such as bridges or tunnels could use improvements to field evaluations to increase safety.
For military applications, the technology could be used for improving logistics and augmented mission planning and training. For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal . SBIR|STTR Help Desk: usarmy.
sbirsttr@army. mil https://fedtechmagazine. com/article/2021/01/army-uses-ar-make-training-more-dynamic https://www.
interaction-design. org/literature/article/beyond-ar-vs-vr-what-is-the-difference-between-ar-vs-mr-vs-vr-vs-xr#:~:text=Augmented%20reality%20(AR)%3A%20a,a%20fully%2Dimmersive%20digital%20environment https://www. jasoren.
com/augmented-reality-military/ https://www. alixpartners. com/insights/102jmv0/the-future-of-maintenance-is-here-predictive-and-prescriptive-maintenance/ https://www.
nationaldefensemagazine. org/articles/2024/4/2/army-hopeful-troubled-headset-program-is-finally-looking-up https://www. dote.
osd. mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2023/army/2023ivas. pdf?
ver=ZkmFbFF8MT-gn00fBM6HuA%3D%3D#:~:text=The%20Army%20intends%20IVAS%20to,conformal%20batteries%20for%20each%20soldier https://www. forbes.
com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/11/18/how-ar-can-improve-the-training-and-retention-of-frontline-workers/ KEYWORDS: Augmented reality; virtual reality; AR/VR; mixed reality; immersive; artificial intelligence; repair instructions; contested environments; railroad; inspection; maintenance; training This topic seeks to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a stand-alone augmented-reality/virtual-reality (AR/VR) system for railroad inspection, maintenance, and training to enhance military logistics and infrastructure repair through real-time visualization and predictive capabilities.
AR and VR technologies can enable real-time, interactive overlays of digital data onto the physical world. They can be fully or partially immersive and offer a wide range of applications that can reduce downtime and increase knowledge for inexperienced users.
A recent study by Workplace from Meta in 2022, indicated that up to 45% of frontline workers were planning to leave their job that year alone, impacting the ability to maintain institutional knowledge. To combat the reduction in knowledge and understanding the need to train new employees in a rapid fashion, companies are modernizing their training methods by adding AR and VR technologies to the training process.
A survey conducted by Forbes showed that 86% of respondents had a favorable view of the changes and saw improvement with their quality of the training they received [1]. Traditional methods of railroad track inspection, assessment, and repair are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require trained and experienced personnel.
AR/VR technologies can also be utilized to give military personnel access to important, detailed information, such as schematics, diagnostic data, and repair instructions while working in remote locations. The Army awarded Microsoft a 10-year contract to modify their Hololens into a mixed reality headset to support the warfighter that can utilize and combine multiple battlefields sensors already used by soldiers.
The Hololens is an untethered holographic device that is used by a wide variety of commercial entities such as airlines and auto manufacturers of high-end vehicles to train personnel and improve efficiency of new employees. The first design was made for civilian use and did not have ruggedized features needed for combat or utilization in the field.
According to The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), the DoD’s version of the Hololens developed by Microsoft, is a head mounted device, worn by soldiers, that includes a see-through heads-up display (HUD), with a variety of sensors used for navigation and operation in low light environments [2].
There have been many issues with advancement and several iterations of the software but “The Army is planning to use IVAS 1. 0 systems in its schoolhouses as mission planning tools” [3]. The utilization of the IVAS, will allow maintenance tasks to be completed quicker, reduces errors, and enhances overall operational efficiency, especially in remote or high-risk environments where downtime can be critical [4].
AR and VR technologies are important to include to enhance railroad inspections and maintenance capabilities, particularly for military logistics. The ability to overlay maintenance guidance directly onto equipment and other detailed tasks will enable soldiers to perform their tasks more effectively, without requiring extensive technical expertise [5].
These changes will help create a safer working environment and while enabling soldiers be more adaptable and versatile while handling different types of maintenance on rail and other infrastructure systems.
AR and VR technologies will reduce repair times and improve the accuracy of inspections, which strengthens military logistics capabilities and enhances the warfighter’s ability to sustain operations in dynamic, challenging environments. This topic is only accepting Phase I proposals for a cost up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance.
Demonstrate the feasibility of using a stand-alone, goggle-based system to detect and identify railroad components, differentiate gauge types, and estimate crater volumes in a remote location or contested environment. Develop augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality example scenarios to highlight the differences to formulate the best methodology [6].
Deliver a report documenting the research and development efforts along with a detailed description of the proposed methodology. Program and develop the proposed software technology. Develop a set of small-scale field scenarios to demonstrate the performance of the developed goggle-based system.
Apply the proposed visualization methodology to a track in operational condition and a track that has experienced real-world or simulated damage that results in a crater in the crib of the track. Demonstrate that the technology could be used on a wide range of rail geometries and designs and could estimate crater volumes to generate subgrade and ballast material quantities needed to make repairs.
Determine the limitations of performance in the field and field-of-view capabilities of the prototype. Demonstrate the feasibility of using the system in various weather and lighting conditions. Develop a study that systematically varies the rail gauge, depth of ballast, and volume of missing ballast to determine the conditions for field operations.
In addition, determine the environmental stability of the goggle system: relevant variables to consider are temperature effects, corrosion resistance, and battery life.
Deliver a reporting document that includes the development and execution of small-scale scenarios, on various track conditions, displaying the ability of the system to identify track components, the analysis on the ability of the system to accurately estimate fill material quantities, and the environmental stability of the proposed equipment and limitations for use. Provide a field demonstration of Phase II findings.
Yes, there are multiple industries that have already adopted AR/VR or are moving to AR/VR for training and evaluation. There is potential in the railroad industry for track inspection and maintenance and maintenance of locomotives and rail cars. Other infrastructure such as bridges or tunnels could use improvements to field evaluations to increase safety.
For military applications, the technology could be used for improving logistics and augmented mission planning and training. For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal . SBIR|STTR Help Desk: usarmy.
sbirsttr@army. mil https://fedtechmagazine. com/article/2021/01/army-uses-ar-make-training-more-dynamic https://www.
interaction-design. org/literature/article/beyond-ar-vs-vr-what-is-the-difference-between-ar-vs-mr-vs-vr-vs-xr#:~:text=Augmented%20reality%20(AR)%3A%20a,a%20fully%2Dimmersive%20digital%20environment https://www. jasoren.
com/augmented-reality-military/ https://www. alixpartners. com/insights/102jmv0/the-future-of-maintenance-is-here-predictive-and-prescriptive-maintenance/ https://www.
nationaldefensemagazine. org/articles/2024/4/2/army-hopeful-troubled-headset-program-is-finally-looking-up https://www. dote.
osd. mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2023/army/2023ivas. pdf?
ver=ZkmFbFF8MT-gn00fBM6HuA%3D%3D#:~:text=The%20Army%20intends%20IVAS%20to,conformal%20batteries%20for%20each%20soldier https://www. forbes.
com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2022/11/18/how-ar-can-improve-the-training-and-retention-of-frontline-workers/ KEYWORDS: Augmented reality; virtual reality; AR/VR; mixed reality; immersive; artificial intelligence; repair instructions; contested environments; railroad; inspection; maintenance; training Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology ASA(ALT) releases contract opportunities on an ad-hoc basis to meet Army research and development needs.
Army Futures Command (AFC) releases topics during three specific solicitation periods throughout the fiscal year to address the Army’s current and anticipated war-fighting technology needs. Army STTR follows AFC’s topic release schedule but partners with a university, federally funded research and development center, or a qualified non-profit research institution as part of their contract.
Is the opportunity to establish the scientific, technical, commercial merit and feasibility of your proposed innovation. Is focused on the development, demonstration and delivery of your innovation from Phase I. Represents the commercialization phase of the program in which the company can market their products or services developed in Phase II, either to the government or in the commercial sector.
Allows small businesses to submit to Direct to Phase II applications if they performed the Phase I research through other funding sources. Provides funding to projects that require additional funding during their open Phase II contract. A Phase II Awardee may receive one additional, sequential Phase II award to continue the work of an initial Phase II award.
The sequential Phase II award has the same guideline amounts and limits as an initial Phase II award.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (supply chain management, logistics coordination, target identifications and simulation) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (additive manufacturing) Autonomy (unmanned systems, drones, ground vehicle capabilities) Chemical and Biological (detection, defense) Cyber (biometric authentication, secure communications) Electronics (microelectronics, Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI)) Electronic Warfare (jamming, spoofing) Human Performance (wearables) Immersive (augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality) Network Technologies (antennas, radio frequency, communications systems) Position, Navigation, and Timing (GPS) Power (batteries, generators) Software Modernization (high performance computing, data management and visualization) Sensors (infrared sensing) Weapons Systems (hypersonics, munitions and projectiles, directed energy)
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small businesses with expertise to develop AR/VR systems for the specified application. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $250,000 (Phase I). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality for Railroad Inspection & Maintenance is funded by U.S. Army SBIR|STTR Program. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
After SBIR reauthorization, the U.S. Army released five new small-business topics under Army FUZE — Ka-Band metamaterial radar, a Li-ion 6T battery open topic, in-transit-visibility blockchain, modular UAS payloads, and the xTech|Phantum prize competition. Awards run from $150K to $300K per Phase I. But the bigger story is the Army's shift from funding parts to funding whole systems. Here is what each topic funds and how to compete.
Read articleNSF's restarted SBIR/STTR program carries two transition rules almost nobody has calendared. Project Pitch invitations issued on or after July 3, 2025 must be converted to a full proposal by November 4, 2026. Phase I awardees whose awards started on or after November 6, 2023 must submit Phase II by the same date. Both cohorts were created by the program lapse, and both cliffs are hard.
Read articleThe Energy Department's first Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR Phase I solicitation offers roughly 40 awards of up to $250,000 against $10 million — but you cannot submit a full application anymore. A four-question, 700-word pitch now decides who gets to apply, there is no Direct to Phase II path for new entrants, and the $147.4 million Phase II pool is closed to everyone who has never won a DOE award.
Read article