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Department of Defense SBIR Program is a grant from the Department of Defense that funds U.S. small businesses to conduct early-stage research and development of innovative technologies with defense applications and commercial potential. The program follows a phased structure: Phase I supports proof-of-concept work (up to ,000), and Phase II funds continued R&D toward commercialization (up to ,700,000).
Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses are eligible and encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants must be U.S. for-profit small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with the principal investigator primarily employed by the firm. The current deadline is May 15, 2026.
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Learn how the program works, check if you meet eligibility requirements, and how to find additional local support and resources. How It Works Funding Basics Eligibility FAQ Agencies Post Solicitations Before you apply, read the entire solicitation carefully. This may prevent administrative mistakes that could disqualify your proposal.
Make sure you meet all eligibility requirements before you apply. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your proposal. You must respond before the submission closing date.
Apply through the agency's SBIR or STTR program before the submission closing date. Participating Agencies Review Proposals Review process times vary; check with the specific agency. The program's rigorous proposal review process provides critical feedback that can help refine your concept.
If you receive funding, be strategic about how you use it, as the award amount may not cover all of your R&D expenses. Previous awardees may apply for Phase I funding for new innovations and Phase II funding for continuing R&D. Some states have matching programs to cover the costs of creating a proposal.
Awarded companies use Phase I funding to create proof-of-concepts for their innovations. Award Amounts: $50,000-$275,000 The objective of Phase II is to continue research and R&D efforts started in Phase I. Typically, only Phase I awardees are eligible for Phase II awards.
Award Amounts: $400,000-$1. 8 million Based on Phase I & II activities, small businesses pursue commercialization in the private sector and/or federal contracting marketplace. No SBIR/STTR funding is awarded in Phase III.
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program exists to unlock the power and innovative thinking of the country’s research institutions. The primary difference from SBIR is that for STTR, the small business must formally partner with a research institution.
You're eligible to apply for funding through America's Seed fund if your company: Is a for-profit entity located in the U.S. Has fewer than 500 employees (most applicants have fewer than 10). Is owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Some additional restrictions apply with venture capital ownership.
See full eligibility guidelines for more details. Download the Full Eligibility Guidelines (PDF) Are non-profit organizations eligible for SBIR/STTR awards? No. A non-profit organization cannot directly receive an SBIR or STTR award.
Non-profits may be a minority investor or subcontractor or sub-grantee on a project. In addition, an STTR awardee must subcontract a portion of the award to a research institution – a scientific or educational nonprofit institution, or a Federally Funded R&D Centers (FFRDC). What non-profit research institutions qualify to participate in the STTR program?
The research institution mustbe owned and operated exclusively for scientific or educational purposes, non-profit, and located in the US. Research institutions eligible to participate in the STTR Program include: Nonprofit college or university Domestic nonprofit scientific/research organization Federally Funded R&D Centers (FFRDC) I have a business; however, I am not federally registered. Can I still apply to the SBIR/STTR programs?
You must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM. gov to receive SBIR/STTR awards. Find organizations in your area that help entrepreneurs like you establish your business, find opportunities, prepare a proposal, and bring your idea to market.
The SBA works with a variety of local partners to train and support small businesses that are interested in receiving funding through America's Seed Fund. Use local assistance to find the help you need, including proposal assistance, SAM registration, commercialization support, and industry networking. Explore participating agencies to learn about their missions, priorities, and programs.
You can also search all topics to find opportunities that are a fit for your concept. View participating agencies → Find out everything you need to know about the SBIR and STTR programs with our program overviews and in-depth video tutorials. Presentation on how to leverage America's Seed Fund, including differences between different levels of funding and how to begin the process.
Phase 0 & State Matching Programs During the pre-proposal and preparation phases, some states have created what are known as “Phase 0” awards programs. These programs are designed to assist new applicants in their pursuit of Phase I federal SBIR/STTR awards.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: U. S. small businesses with fewer than 500 employees; principal investigator primarily employed by the small business; SDVOSB eligible and encouraged. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Phase I: up to $250,000; Phase II: up to $1,700,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 15, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
The Department of Defense FY2026 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) provides funding for U.S. universities to acquire research equipment and instrumentation in areas important to national defense, including AI and machine learning hardware. The program is administered jointly by the Army Research Office (ARO), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), with approximately $34 million available and 95 awards anticipated. DURIP funds the acquisition of specialized computing hardware for AI/ML research (GPU clusters, TPUs, neuromorphic processors), robotics and autonomous systems testbeds, sensor arrays and data collection systems for machine learning training, high-performance computing infrastructure for defense-relevant AI research, and laboratory equipment for human-AI interaction studies. The program specifically supports equipment that enhances research-related education in DoD-priority disciplines. While general-purpose computing is not eligible, computing equipment directly supporting DoD-relevant AI research programs qualifies. No cost sharing is required.
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).
Department of Defense (DoD) SBIR/STTR BAA & CSO Release 5 is a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Program that funds innovative research and development by U.S. small businesses addressing specific defense technology needs across military departments and agencies. The program releases multiple topic areas per cycle through Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) and Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO), covering areas such as advanced materials, sensors, software, and autonomous systems. Eligible applicants are U.S. small business concerns; both Phase I proposals and Direct-to-Phase II proposals are accepted. Awards are typically up to $250,000 for Phase I and up to $2 million for Direct-to-Phase II. The most recent deadline was March 25, 2026.
ONR GlobalX AI for Advancing Maritime Security is a research and development solicitation from the Office of Naval Research that funds the development of artificial intelligence solutions for maritime security applications. The program seeks innovative AI technologies that can advance the state-of-the-art in naval and maritime threat detection, domain awareness, and autonomous systems for defense applications. Eligible applicants include commercial firms, academic institutions, and nonprofits capable of developing qualifying AI solutions; both US and international organizations may apply in some cases. Award amounts vary by project scope and are determined through BAA or NOFO solicitation review. There is no fixed deadline; solicitations are released periodically through ONR's Broad Agency Announcement process.
Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) is a federal grant program administered by FEMA through the Office of the Governor's Public Safety Office that funds enhanced border security cooperation among Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol, and state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. The program supports joint operations to secure land and water border routes, improve intelligence sharing, and expand 287(g) screening operations within correctional facilities. In 2025, the national priority is Supporting Border Crisis Response and Enforcement, covering training, operational coordination, and risk management. Eligible expenses include operational overtime costs, staffing support for screening activities, and training programs in immigration law, civil rights protections, and 287(g) procedures.