IMPORTANT UPDATE: Effective 1 October 2025, SBIR/STTR program authorization has expired. New activity is paused; ongoing awards remain valid. Awardees are encouraged to contact their TPOCs and contracting officers with questions regarding active awards.
A Phase I contract provides short-term funding for a feasibility study of a proposed innovation, with the goal of establishing its scientific, technical merit, and commercial potential.
- Open Topic Phase I: This phase is used for customer discovery, where a company identifies an end-user within the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force to champion the technology. These contracts are typically up to 90 days.
- Specific Topic Phase I: This phase is a traditional feasibility study for a predefined U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force problem. These contracts typically six months in duration, but some individual topic awards may be shorter or longer. A successful Phase I is required to compete for a follow-on Phase II award.