The specific topic has clearly-defined, niche technology requirements and a known Air Force customer built into the topic solicitation. It typically calls for more defense-specific technologies for explicit user needs but can still seek dual-use capabilities. Learn More

The Strategic and Tactical Funding Increase Programs catalyze relationships between Air and Space Force end-users and acquisition professionals, private sector innovators, and investors. The program bridges the capability gap between current SBIR/STTR Phase II efforts to achieve better technology transitions and de-risk development through syndication with multiple transition-focused partners and leveraging outside investment. Learn More

In 2018, AFWERX launched the Open Topic. The open topic made a technology-agnostic solicitation that no longer prescribed the solution sets that the DAF was looking for. The open topic allowed industry to tell the Air Force what they are working on, what their R&D was working to achieve, and showcase a dual-use, commercial product that could be adapted for DoD use cases. As of 2022, the entity of the Department of the Air Force SBIR/STTR program now resides under the AFVentures program. This restructure now nests the Open Topic, Specific Topic and the STRATFI/TACFI program all under the management of AFVentures.