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.
The Open Topic program seeks dual-use technologies, applicable to both defense and non-defense markets, that can solve a DAF mission need and prototype on an accelerated schedule. This program is truly open and agnostic of industry, technology, or program area. Its focus is on applied Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) rather than basic research. Small businesses can propose any solution that has the potential to quickly satisfy a DAF need, giving them the flexibility to bring us technology we didn’t think to ask for.