Get Funded with AFWERX: Powering Air & Space Dominance Through Innovation
AFWERX manages the Department of the Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, awarding approximately 10,400 SBIR/STTR contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to startups and small businesses developing technologies with commercial and defense applications that strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.
Open Funding Opportunities
Discover how your small business can partner with AFWERX to solve critical challenges.
Solicitations
PRE-RELEASE: 03 Sep 25
OPEN: TBD
CLOSE: TBD
PRE-RELEASE: N/A
OPEN: 28 Jul 25
CLOSE: 03 Oct 25
PRE-RELEASE: N/A
OPEN: 28 Jul 25
CLOSE: Accepting Applications On Rolling Basis
Dates subject to change
AF – Solicitation includes U.S. Air Force topics
SF – Solicitation includes U.S. Space Force topics
Understanding SBIR/STTR
The SBIR and STTR programs are key federal initiatives designed to harness the power of small businesses and research institutions for cutting-edge innovation. Through these programs, AFWERX awards contracts to drive the development of technologies with both military and commercial potential.
What are the key differences?
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Established in 1982, SBIR funds research and development (R&D) conducted by small businesses (500 or fewer employees).
- Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): Established in 1992, STTR funds cooperative R&D projects between small businesses and non-profit U.S. research institutions (like universities).
Both programs aim to transition promising commercial technologies into operational use for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, administered in partnership with the Small Business Administration.
The AFWERX Funding Process
AFWERX offers tailored SBIR/STTR funding opportunities to help small businesses and research institutions develop and transition innovative technologies for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Funding Avenues by Topic Type
Open Topic
Propose your innovative, dual-use technology that addresses a DAF mission need.
KEY DETAILS:
- Purpose: Explore broad DAF needs and find a customer.
- Ideal for: Companies with novel ideas seeking early-stage R&D funding.
- Phase I Focus: Customer discovery and technical feasibility.
Specific Topic
Address a clearly defined problem identified by a DAF customer. You’ll work directly with the end-user to solve a specific capability gap.
KEY DETAILS:
- Purpose: Solve pre-identified DAF challenges.
- Ideal for: Solutions directly aligned with specific DAF requirements.
- Phase I Focus: Work closely with a DAF end-user.
Funding Avenues by Phase of Development
Phase I: Feasibility Study
Prove the technical merit and commercial viability of your innovative idea. For Specific Topic efforts, this is a technical feasibility study. For Open Topic, it also includes a critical customer discovery phase.
KEY DETAILS:
Funding: $75K-$180K
Duration: 3-12 months
Outcome: Prove concept and potential
Phase II: Prototype Development
Develop a working prototype and further mature your technology, typically requiring a DAF customer. This can be done either by advancing a successful Phase I project or by applying for a Direct to Phase II (D2P2) award.
KEY DETAILS:
Funding: $1.25M-$1.8M
Duration: Up to 24 months
Requirement (Open Topic Only): DAF Customer Memorandum for both Follow-On Phase IIs and D2P2 applicants.
Direct to Phase II (D2P2): This pathway allows qualified small businesses to start with a Phase II. A signed Customer Memorandum is only required for an Open Topic D2P2 as Specific Topics have a pre-identified customer.
STRATFI / TACFI: Growth Stage Investment
Bridge the gap between early development and full commercialization. These programs provide significant funding to scale promising technologies.
KEY DETAILS:
Purpose: Scale technology and achieve transition.
Eligibility: For successful Phase II projects (within 2 years).
Key Feature: Requires matching funds from government, private investment, or a combination of both sources.
Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI): $3M-$15M for strategic, high-impact capabilities.
Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI): $375K-$2M for tactical innovation and rapid transition.
Phase III: Commercialization
Transition your technology to operational use for the DAF or into the commercial market, funded by non-SBIR/STTR sources.
KEY DETAILS:
Funding: No direct SBIR/STTR funding.
Source: Funded by other government contracts or private investment.
Benefit: Completing Phase I/II can lead to sole-source Phase III contracts.
Eligibility & Information
SBIR
- Applicant is a for-profit business based in the United States
- 500 or fewer employees
- Principal investigator’s primary employment (more than 50 percent) must be with small business
- Additional requirements apply
STTR
- Applicant is a for-profit business based in the United States
- Partner with U.S. research institution
- Formal cooperative research and development effort
- At least 40% of work performed by small business while 30% of work performed by research institution
- Additional requirements apply
Eligibility Guide
Click HERE to view the Guide to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Eligibility
System for Award Management (SAM)
Before a contract can be awarded, you must be registered in the System for Award Management, or SAM. SAM replaced the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), the Online Representations and Certifications Application, and the Excluded Parties List System. SAM allows firms interested in conducting business with the federal government to provide basic information on their business capabilities and financial information. Register HERE. If you had an active record in CCR, then you have an active record in SAM. You will receive email notifications 60, 30, and 15 days prior to the expiration of the record. You can search for registered entities in SAM by typing the business name or DUNS number into the search box.
Proposal Submissions
A SBIR or STTR Phase I, Phase II or Direct to Phase II (D2P2) proposal for any DoW component must be submitted through the online DoW Submission website (DSIP Portal).
Proposal Select and Award
If your firm’s proposal has been selected for an award, the principal investigator and corporate official indicated on the proposal cover sheet will be notified by email.
You will receive an email for each selected proposal. Please read each email carefully, paying close attention to the proposal and topic numbers. The email will emphasize that no work is to be performed at this time and that a Government Contract Negotiator or Contracting Officer will be contacting you.
Proposal Receipt and Status
The Air Force is not responsible for ensuring email receipt by small businesses that have changed their email addresses since submission of the Phase I proposal without proper notification. If your email addresses have changed since proposal submission, please send an email to afrl.rgv.SBIRSTTR@us.af.mil with the change.
Risk Based Analysis
All proposals being considered for funding during the selection process will be put through AFWERX’s Risk Based Analysis to ensure companies are compliant with government requirements and regulations prior to being awarded.