Applied Neuroanalytics for Optimization of Naval Training and Operational Readiness - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-NV033

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This topic was temporarily posted by the Department of War SBIR Program on March 2nd 2026 and removed the following day.
We believe this topic is planned to be released once the SBIR program is reauthorized; however, this topic may ultimately be modified or withdrawn.

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Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop and demonstrate a neuro-enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) system that captures, analyzes, and operationalizes neurophysiological and behavioral data to provide near real-time, adaptive feedback for improved training efficiency, performance, and operational readiness of U.S. Navy personnel.

Description:

The U.S. Navy Force Design 2045 (CNO NavPlan 2024) highlights the importance of the warfighter and human-machine teaming in the future fight, emphasizing the criticality of developing high-performing teams and leaders that are resilient, adaptable, and warrior tough while supporting an increasingly hybrid Fleet of manned assets augmented with thousands of unmanned assets. The future fight will likely require operators to 1) digest and synthesize large amounts of data from an extensive network of humans and machines, 2) make decisions more rapidly due to advances in AI, enhanced connectivity, and autonomous weaponry and 3) oversee a greater number and types of robotics, including swarms (RAND, 2024).

Critical features of this paradigm shift towards manned-unmanned teaming and emphasis on improving warfighter performance are how we train operators. Training is at the forefront of the modernization of Naval operations to enhance readiness and lethality, and this will depend heavily on the cognitive resilience and decision-making capacity of warfighters in these novel, high-stress environments. Traditional training paradigms typically neglect real-time measurement and integration of cognitive and physiological performance states (e.g., mental effort, task engagement, lapses and slips of attention, complacency, mental fatigue, and stress). Emerging technologies for advanced data analytics grounded in neuroscience provide new capability that can enhance warfighter development and mission success by embedding neurofeedback into live and synthetic Naval training environments, providing novel analytical features and data to adapt training in near-real time and accelerate learning at the point of need.

The U.S. Navy seeks to identify a major step forward in neuro-enhanced AI systems to reduce time-to-proficiency and predict Sailor readiness within the unique maritime military environment. This envisioned capability will leverage and further develop Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) neurotechnologies along with complimentary biosensors (e.g., electrocardiography [ECG], electromyography [EMG], eye tracking) and behavioral monitoring tools for Navy-specific use cases to interface with personnel, enabling adaptive and responsive system interaction based on near real-time human state data.

This SBIR topic will prioritize two key demonstrated factors in support of its objective: (1) the ability to collect neural, physiological, and behavioral data in parallel with operators using a desktop or higher fidelity simulator; and (2) the ability to analyze and interact with that data, both in near real-time and post-hoc, using an advanced language-understanding system coupled with an extensive foundational model of the human psychophysiology and/or behavior to provide feedback. This effort will complement existing Navy initiatives, such as those led by NAVAIR, NAWCAD, and NAWCTSD, enhancing existing learning environments through the addition of a brain-based performance layer.

The platform will deliver an autonomous solution for near real-time feedback, improved after-action reporting, and guided adaptation of training scenarios via open data standards that can be used to improve understanding of Sailor state (static and dynamic), which will be imperative for improving warfighter performance and training towards an ever-evolving mission in the future fight.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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