This listing may be outdated. Verify details at the official source before applying.

ActiveU.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX) · 2026

Sequential Opportunities (STRATFI/TACFI)

Quick Facts

Agency: U.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX)
Funding: See RFP
Deadline: Check Source
Status: Active
Eligibility: Small Business Concerns on an active SBIR/STTR Phase II or having completed their SBIR/STTR Phase II within two years of Capability Package submission.

About This Grant

Sequential Opportunities (STRATFI/TACFI) is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX). This program helps companies bridge the 'Valley of Death' by accelerating the transition from prototype into operational capability and aligning technology with acquisition strategies while attracting private capital.

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Official Opportunity Details

Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.

Sequential Opportunities - AFWERX Phase II efforts must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible for STRATFI, TACFI, or Strategic Breakthrough consideration. Company is considered a Small Business Concern (SBC) and is eligible for a SBIR/STTR award. SBC is on an active SBIR/STTR Phase II or completed their SBIR/STTR Phase II within two years of Capability Package submission.

The subject Phase II effort has not already been awarded a second (AKA “sequential”) Phase II At least 90 days have passed since the beginning of the associated SBIR/STTR Phase II execution. SBC is not executing a prior STRATFI, TACFI, or Strategic Breakthrough for the same Phase II effort at the time of submission. Anticipated work is to be performed in the United States.

In order to submit a STRATFI, TACFI, or Strategic Breakthrough request, a web-based application has been created to collect submission information and aid in expediting the review process. It is important you follow the outlined steps below.

Review the FAQs & Submission Checklist Review all Guidance Documentation Complete required Submission Templates Apply online by submitting your STRATFI, TACFI, or Strategic Breakthrough Application Submission is to be completed by Government POC only. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Strategic Breakthrough (SBT) FAQs STRATFI/TACFI FAQs STRATFI/TACFI Overview Phase II Transition Plugin ma-admin-quick-nav 2.

0. 4 Looking to connect and collaborate to find innovative commercial solutions to accelerate U.S. defense capabilities? Are you interested in learning about opportunities to collaborate and engage with AFWERX?

Join the AFWERX Portal Now!

Eligibility Requirements

Small Business Concerns on an active SBIR/STTR Phase II or having completed their SBIR/STTR Phase II within two years of Capability Package submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for Sequential Opportunities (STRATFI/TACFI)?

According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small Business Concerns on an active SBIR/STTR Phase II or having completed their SBIR/STTR Phase II within two years of Capability Package submission. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.

Who funds Sequential Opportunities (STRATFI/TACFI)?

Sequential Opportunities (STRATFI/TACFI) is funded by U.S. Department of the Air Force (AFWERX). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.

How do I apply for Sequential Opportunities (STRATFI/TACFI)?

Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.

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Similar Grants from Other Funders

U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SBIR/STTR Program, part of America's Seed Fund

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NASA SBIR/STTR 2026 Broad Agency Announcement for Small Business Innovation in Autonomy, Robotics and AI for Space Systems

NASA describes its SBIR/STTR initiative as part of America's Seed Fund, the nation's largest source of early-stage non-dilutive funding for innovative technologies, aimed at entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. The structural news for 2026 is that NASA changed from its traditional solicitation cycle to a Broad Agency Announcement, which alters how and when opportunities appear - instead of one annual open-and-close window, multiple tracks now run on their own calendars, and a company needs to identify which track fits rather than waiting for a single date. The 2026 tracks and their closing dates illustrate the point: Post Phase II, also called Phase II-E, closed August 11, 2026; CCRPP closed August 19, 2026; Phase II Sequential closes September 11, 2026; SBIR Ignite closes October 15, 2026; and Phase II for STTR closes October 28, 2026. SBIR Ignite is the track most worth attention from AI and autonomy companies with commercial ambitions, as it is NASA's commercially-oriented lane. The AI relevance runs deep even though the program is not badged as an AI program: NASA subtopics routinely cover autonomous spacecraft operations, robotic systems for surface and in-space operations, onboard machine learning under severe compute and power constraints, autonomous navigation in GPS-denied environments, fault detection and prognostics, and data analysis for Earth and planetary science - the class of problems where autonomy is a hard requirement rather than a convenience because round-trip latency makes teleoperation impossible. Awards are non-dilutive, so NASA takes no equity.

NASA's SBIR/STTR landing page describes program phases with increasing award amounts but does not state 2026 dollar figures on that page. A Phase I ceiling of approximately $225,000 for the 2026 cycle is reported in secondary coverage of the solicitation; amount_min and amount_max are both set to 225,000 to reflect that single reported Phase I figure. Phase II amounts, Post Phase II and SBIR Ignite award levels were NOT confirmed in the material reviewed and are expected to be materially larger. Anyone budgeting against this must open the governing Broad Agency Announcement document for the specific subtopic and phase, because 2026 is the year NASA moved from its traditional solicitation cycle to a BAA structure and award levels should not be assumed from prior years.Deadline: Oct 15, 2026

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