1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) issues Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) to rapidly prototype and field commercial AI and autonomous systems technologies for defense applications. With an FY2026 budget of $979 million ($661 million in RDT&E), DIU focuses on mature commercial AI products that can be adapted for military use.
CSOs cover areas including AI-enabled decision support, autonomous systems, predictive maintenance, logistics optimization, and computer vision. The Thunderforge project specifically targets commercial AI for theater-level military planning. DIU's streamlined contracting process is designed for non-traditional defense vendors, meaning companies do not need cleared facilities or prior DoD contracts to participate.
Prototype agreements typically range from $500,000 to $5 million and can lead to production contracts across the Department of Defense.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “Defense Innovation Unit” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Open to commercial technology companies, including non-traditional defense contractors. Companies do not need cleared facilities or prior DoD contracts. Products must be commercially available or near-commercial maturity with clear defense applications. CSOs are posted on a rolling basis. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Funding amounts vary based on project scope and sponsor guidance. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV) Solicitation is sponsored by Defense Innovation Unit. Seeking autonomous, stealthy low-profile vessels capable of navigating contested littoral environments. Application snapshot: target deadline March 16, 2026; published funding information See official notice; eligibility guidance Open to U. S. and international companies; must satisfy 10 USC 4022 requirements including nontraditional defense contractor participation or small business status. Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
DIU Area of Interest: Autonomous Low Profile Vessel (ALPV) Resupply is sponsored by Defense Innovation Unit. A solicitation for autonomous maritime vessels capable of navigating contested littoral environments to deliver vital supplies (cargo pallets and bulk liquids). Application snapshot: target deadline March 16, 2026; published funding information See official notice; eligibility guidance Nontraditional defense contractors, small businesses, and foreign-owned companies permitted Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Portable Resilient Integrated Storage Module (PRISM) is sponsored by Defense Innovation Unit. A solicitation focused on developing resilient, portable storage and energy modules for maritime and expeditionary environments. Application snapshot: target deadline March 16, 2026; published funding information Varies by prototype award; eligibility guidance Open to U. S. and international vendors; must satisfy 10 USC 4022 requirements including nontraditional contractor participation or small business status. Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Innovate UK's BridgeAI Innovation Exchange programme funds AI and machine learning proof of concepts that address real business challenges across designated sectors. Individual project grants range from £25,000 to £50,000 (approximately USD $31,750-$63,500) from a total competition pool of up to £200,000. Projects must last 3-5 months, starting by September 2025 and completing by February 2026. The programme targets four specific challenge areas: cycling industry market intelligence, site reinstatement automation, sustainable transport engagement, and planning system automation. Projects must include measurable success metrics, comply with data governance standards, and provide knowledge transfer documentation. Subject to Minimal Financial Assistance cap of £315,000 over a three-year rolling period.
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.
Innovate UK's Sovereign AI Proof of Concept programme funds proof of concept demonstrators of AI technologies with state-of-the-art performance across five strategic themes: fundamental AI research, materials discovery, biosciences and health, defense and national security, and AI-aided chip/hardware design. Individual project grants range from £50,000 to £120,000 (approximately USD $63,500-$152,400) from a total allocation of at least £1.6 million. Projects must be 1-3 months in duration, starting by January 2026 and completing by March 2026. The programme supports feasibility studies and industrial research, with funding covering up to 70% of costs for micro/small businesses, 60% for medium, and 50% for large organizations. Literature review studies and projects unable to scale are excluded.