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This listing may be outdated.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 grantsQuantum Solutions for Proactive Advanced Response in Cyber Warfare - QSPARX (SBIR Topic DAF26BZ03-NV017) is sponsored by Department of the Air Force (DAF). 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.
Air Force SBIR: AI-Driven Post-Quantum Cybersecurity and Cryptographic Modernization — BW&CO Quantum Solutions for Proactive Advanced Response in Cyber Warfare - QSPARX - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ03-NV017 Active specific topic DSIP The primary objective of this Phase I SBIR effort is to develop and validate an AI-driven cybersecurity platform tailored to the Air Force District of Washington's (AFDW) urgent needs for post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) readiness.
The proposed solution aims to enhance threat detection, cryptographic resilience, and mission assurance across high-value networks and communications managed by the 844th Communications Group (CG) at Joint Base Andrews and the National Capital Region. This project focuses on transitioning existing cryptographic assets to quantum-resilient standards to address quantum-enabled threats while minimizing disruptions to legacy infrastructure.
Expected outcomes include the creation of a prototype that demonstrates automated threat detection, risk scoring, and compliance monitoring within Air Force environments, leveraging AI and machine learning technologies to ensure robust cyber defense mechanisms post-quantum era.
The Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) and the 844th Communications Group (CG) at Joint Base Andrews face significant cyber threats from adversaries leveraging quantum computing capabilities. Current cryptographic measures are inadequate against quantum decryption techniques, which could compromise classified and sensitive data, crucial systems, and overall mission assurance.
To address these vulnerabilities, this project proposes developing an AI-driven cybersecurity platform designed to transition existing cryptographic assets to post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) standards. This solution will enhance threat detection, cryptographic resilience, and mission assurance across high-value AFDW networks and communications.
The desired outcome of this project is to create a robust cyber defense system that integrates advanced machine learning algorithms for automated threat detection, risk scoring, and compliance monitoring. This platform will ensure seamless PQC integration while minimizing disruptions to the legacy infrastructure, ultimately safeguarding critical Air Force data and assets.
The project will commence at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3, focusing on analytical and experimental proof-of-concept, and aims to reach a TRL of 6 by the end of Phase II, demonstrating a system/subsystem prototype in a relevant environment.
The project will involve the following efforts and activities across its phases: Conduct a comprehensive cryptographic asset inventory within the AFDW, identifying key management practices, storage locations, and interoperability with legacy systems. Develop a clear mapping of existing cryptographic foundations to pinpoint areas needing quantum-resilient upgrades.
Establish success metrics, including detection accuracy and response times, for the AI/ML components of the solution. Deliverable: A prototype demonstrating automated threat detection, risk scoring, and compliance monitoring, validated in simulated Air Force environments. Enhance the prototype based on Phase I feedback, scaling the solution for broader network integration and real-world application within the AFDW and beyond.
Conduct extensive testing and validation of PQC algorithms in forensic cryptographic workflows, ensuring robust performance under diverse threat scenarios. Deploy the fully developed platform in live Air Force environments, providing continuous monitoring and automated response capabilities.
Deliverable: A fully functional AI-driven cybersecurity platform with demonstrated effectiveness in operational Air Force settings, maintaining compliance with PQC standards and legacy system integration. By leveraging a Quantum Value Pipeline framework, this project will significantly elevate the cybersecurity posture of the AFDW, addressing urgent post-quantum threats while maintaining mission-critical operations.
The anticipated advancements in AI and machine learning will foster innovation and align with DoW cybersecurity policies, ensuring long-term resilience and superiority in the quantum era. The Phase I effort will assess the feasibility of an AI-driven platform for PQC transition. Key goals include conducting a cryptographic asset inventory, mapping key management, storage, and legacy interoperability.
Success criteria: a prototype demonstrating automated threat detection, risk scoring, compliance monitoring in Air Force environments, and metrics on AI/ML effectiveness, such as detection accuracy and response times. Phase II will deliver a fully validated AI-driven cybersecurity platform, integrating post-quantum cryptography.
Success includes achieving TRL 6 with seamless deployment in operational environments, confirmed through rigorous testing and compliance monitoring. Metrics: enhanced threat detection accuracy, response times, and robustness against quantum-enabled cyber threats, ensuring mission assurance for AFDW networks. Phase III will focus on deploying the AI-driven PQC platform for real-world Air Force and commercial environments.
Military applications include enhanced cryptographic resilience and threat detection in high-value networks. Commercially, the platform offers robust cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure. Expected TRL at entry is 6, advancing to TRL 9.
Transition planning includes obtaining necessary DAF approvals and exploring collaboration with allies and private-sector partners. If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply. Who is eligible to apply?
Any company that meets the following criteria: U.S.-owned and controlled. 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates) 1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support. 2) Proposal strategy and review.
3) Administrative & compliance support. Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below: Aerospace & Spacetech Robotics & Autonomous Systems Defense & Dual Use Technology Air Force Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning https://www. bwcoconsulting.
com Compact High-Pressure CO₂ Compressor for Aviation Thermal Management Systems - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ03-NV016 Leveraging AI/ML for Optimizing JAG Data, Decision Making, and Military Justice Outcomes - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ03-NV018
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small businesses. The primary objective of this Phase I SBIR effort is to develop and validate an AI-driven cybersecurity platform tailored to the Air Force District of Washington's (AFDW) urgent needs. 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.
Quantum Solutions for Proactive Advanced Response in Cyber Warfare - QSPARX (SBIR Topic DAF26BZ03-NV017) is funded by Department of the Air Force (DAF). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Washington. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
SBIR/STTR Program (Department of the Air Force) is sponsored by Department of the Air Force (DAF). The AFWERX SBIR/STTR program provides funding for high-risk, high-reward concepts that align with Department of the Air Force operational requirements. This includes innovations in aircraft maintenance, such as leveraging robotics, software, and AI to improve efficiency, and digital transformation for depot-level aircraft maintenance.
Department of the Air Force Broad Agency Announcement on AI Application in Next-Generation C2 is sponsored by Department of the Air Force (DAF). The DAF is soliciting white papers on proposed AI-based applications that could serve as key components in Command and Control (C2) systems. This includes research on distributed and collaborative C2 concepts, C2 planning and strategies considering adversarial AI use, and managing and monitoring deployed AI capabilities in contested environments.
Acoustic Recorders for Persistent High-Altitude Sensing is sponsored by Department of the Air Force (DAF). This topic seeks the development of acoustic recorders for persistent high-altitude sensing. The sensors are expected to be lightweight with low power requirements, reducing data bandwidth by performing most data processing at the sensor. This technology could support surveillance, electronic warfare, and communications on high-altitude platforms.
AFOSR's open Broad Agency Announcement — the single front door to Air Force basic research funding — closed on March 23, 2026 for mandatory review under Executive Order 14332, and proposals submitted in its final week must be resubmitted to a replacement that has no posted date. Meanwhile NRL's Long Range BAA takes white papers only through September 30, and the Air Force's new $99 million command-and-control BAA runs to 2028 with a March 15, 2027 white paper date for FY28 money. A field guide to the rolling-solicitation channel while it is in flux.
Read articleFA955026S0003 posted September 8 with full proposals due December 4, 2026 — but a five-page white paper is required by October 9, questions close September 17, and the PhD window admits degrees earned after April 1, 2019 only. At $450,000 over three years with no collaborators permitted, this is the most restrictive of the three service early-career programs and the only one with an LPS quantum carve-out.
Read articleCandid launched a DAF-versus-foundation grantmaking dashboard on September 21, DAFgiving360 crossed $10 billion in a single fiscal year, and the 2026 DAF Fundraising Report found median DAF revenue up 75 percent against 12 percent for everything else. For a grants-driven nonprofit, that growth is arriving through a channel a proposal cannot reach.
Read article