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This Navy SBIR topic (DON26BX03-NP002), run jointly by NAVAIR and NAVSEA, funds small businesses to develop AI-enabled systems that detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones and drone swarms. The effort emphasizes autonomous sensing, machine-learning-based classification, and counter-UAS engagement for naval operations.
Phase I awards provide up to $315,000 to establish technical feasibility, with follow-on Phase II funding available for prototype development.
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Or search similar grants →According to the current listing, eligibility includes: U.S. small businesses meeting SBIR eligibility (fewer than 500 employees, majority U.S.-owned), with a principal investigator primarily employed by the company. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $315,000 for the Phase I feasibility effort under Navy SBIR topic DON26BX03-NP002. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Applications for Navy SBIR Counter-Unmanned Air Systems (C-UAS) Topic DON26BX03-NP002 are due July 22, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Navy SBIR Counter-Unmanned Air Systems (C-UAS) Topic DON26BX03-NP002 is funded by U.S. Department of the Navy (NAVAIR & NAVSEA, Navy SBIR/STTR Program). 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.
NAVAIR & NAVSEA Open Topic for Counter Unmanned Air Systems (C-UAS) (DON26BX03-NP002) is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Navy (NAVAIR & NAVSEA, Navy SBIR/STTR Program). This SBIR Open Topic, jointly run by NAVAIR and NAVSEA, seeks innovative AI, machine learning, sensor fusion, and non-kinetic defeat solutions to develop advanced Counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies. The objective is to enhance existing prototypes or concepts to improve C-UAS operations and demonstrate novel, highly effective, and scalable capabilities to counter hostile UAS threats, including swarms, in complex operational environments. Primary technology areas of interest include target recognition, swarm detection, tracking, anomalies, and kinetic defeat systems.
NAVAIR & NAVSEA Open Topic for Counter Unmanned Air Systems (C-UAS) is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Navy (NAVAIR & NAVSEA, Navy SBIR/STTR Program). This SBIR Open Topic seeks innovative solutions for Counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies to detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones and drone swarms. It specifically calls for AI, machine learning, sensor fusion, and non-kinetic defeat solutions to protect military forces and critical infrastructure. Focus areas include AI-Powered Target Recognition, AI/ML-Enhanced Swarm Detection, Tracking, and Anomalies, and AI/ML for Countering Advanced Signature Management.
Navy SBIR Counter-Unmanned Air Systems (C-UAS) Topic DON26BX03-NP002 is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Navy (NAVAIR & NAVSEA, Navy SBIR/STTR Program). This Navy SBIR topic funds small businesses to develop AI-enabled systems that detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones and drone swarms. The effort emphasizes autonomous sensing, machine-learning-based classification, and counter-UAS engagement for naval operations.
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 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.
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).
The Department of the Navy pre-released FY26 Release 3 SBIR/STTR on June 3, 2026 — 12 BAA topics and one Commercial Solutions Opening for Counter-Unmanned Air Systems. Topics span adaptive sensor management, anomalous behavior detection, satellite imagery optimization, real-time zero-trust data for combat systems, and gun weapon systems modernization. Technical questions cut off June 23. Proposals open June 24 and close July 22. NAVAIR and NAVSEA co-host a Counter-UAS webinar June 16. Phase I funding tops out at $315,000. The CSO open topic for AI-powered drone defense is the structural news: it's the first time NAVAIR has used a CSO vehicle to fund counter-drone work outside the conventional Phase I/II structure, and it changes how small businesses can engage with the Navy's most urgent capability gap.
Read articleOn June 3, the Department of the Navy pre-released FY26 Release 3 SBIR/STTR — 12 conventional BAA topics and a Counter-Unmanned Air Systems Commercial Solutions Opening. Topics span adaptive sensor management, anomalous behavior detection, satellite imagery optimization, real-time zero-trust data for combat systems, and gun weapon systems modernization. The proposal window runs June 24 to July 22, 2026. The technical questions cutoff is June 23. NAVAIR and NAVSEA are hosting a Counter-UAS webinar on June 16. Here is what the topic mix actually signals about Navy priorities and how small businesses should position.
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