Fast and Curious – DARPA Defense Sciences Office (DSO)

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is soliciting proposals under the Fast and Curious Disruption Opportunity to develop next-generation logic devices that surpass CMOS performance limits. Selected teams will receive Other Transaction (OT) prototype awards to demonstrate ultra-low-energy, high-speed, scalable logic technologies for advanced computing applications. Optional but recommended abstracts are due February 19th. Full proposals are due March 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.

How much funding is available?

Estimated $1M to $5M. DARPA anticipates making multiple OT prototype awards, with total funding levels determined by proposal quality and availability of funds. The DO does not specify a fixed award size or ceiling, and funding may be awarded for Phase 1 only or for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.

What could I use the funding for?

See a detailed description here.

This program explores new device physics, materials, and architectures that enable energy-efficient, scalable, and integrable logic circuits capable of surpassing CMOS transistor switching energy and speed limits while remaining compatible with advanced microelectronic manufacturing.

Performers will fabricate and engineer non-traditional transistor-like heterostructures with ultra-low energy and high speed switching characteristics, design and develop logic in computational circuits using these heterostructures, and perform theoretical analysis and modeling to guide the device design and optimization.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving a DARPA Disruptioneering award:

• Government Validation and Technical Credibility: Selection by DARPA DSO signals exceptional scientific merit and alignment with long-term U.S. defense computing priorities.

• Acceleration of Deep-Tech Development: Milestone-based OT agreements allow rapid prototyping without FAR constraints, enabling faster technical progress than traditional grants or contracts.

• Enhanced Visibility and Strategic Positioning: Awardees gain visibility within DARPA, DoD, and the advanced microelectronics ecosystem, often leading to follow-on funding or partnerships.

• Stronger Commercial and Acquisition Outcomes: Retention of IP ownership and government license rights enables companies to mature technology nondilutively while increasing long-term enterprise value.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Abstracts (optional but strongly encouraged) are due February 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET. Full proposals are due March 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET. DARPA’s goal is to execute awards within 120 calendar days of the DO posting date (January 30, 2026), with negotiations concluding no later than May 29, 2026. The anticipated program start date is June 1, 2026.nths

Where does this funding come from?

This funding is provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) within the Department of Defense, administered by the Defense Sciences Office (DSO) using Other Transaction authority under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Who is eligible to apply?

All responsible U.S. and non-U.S. organizations capable of performing the research may apply, including startups, small businesses, large companies, universities, and nonprofit research institutions.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA will evaluate proposals based on:

• Scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and innovation

• Relevance and contribution to DARPA’s mission to advance defense computing

• Clear, quantitative evidence supporting the ability to meet program metrics

• Well-defined milestones with credible risk mitigation strategies

• Reasonable and well-justified pricing

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Awards are made as Other Transactions, not grants or FAR-based contracts. Proposals must be unclassified, comply with export control and CUI requirements if applicable, and adhere strictly to DARPA’s template, submission, and milestone payment rules. Cost share may be required depending on proposer status under OT statute.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Without BW&CO’s Assistance, preparing a fully compliant and compelling proposal will likely take 150-200 hours.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

For Full Support, $15,000 Initial Fee + 5% Success Fee

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

FBI Enterprise Technology Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The FBI’s Enterprise Technology Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is open through May 16, 2026 and accepts white paper submissions at any time during the open period. The program seeks innovative R&D concepts from industry and academia across multiple FBI problem sets (including AI, cybersecurity, biometrics, counterintelligence, digital exploitation, and enterprise data fabric). Submissions are emailed to BAA@FBI.GOV and follow a two-step process: Step 1 is a white paper (or recorded oral presentation), and selected applicants may be invited to Step 2 to submit a full proposal.

How much funding is available?

Although not explicitly mentioned in the solicitation, typical awards range from $500k to $2m for periods of performance ranging from 6-24 months

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports R&D efforts aligned to the FBI’s “Problem Set Areas”. See an overview below and full description here:

1. Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Sub-Fields

• Content Extraction and Triage

• All-Source Data Management

• Workflow Automation

• Actionable Analysis and Alerting

• Semi-Autonomous Multi-Sensor Fusion

• Business Operations

• Data Science

• Knowledge Management

• Open-Source Information Gathering

• Correspondence Management from Multiple Sources

• Dynamic Threat Analysis

• Human Resource (HR) Recruiting

• Signature Identification

• Cybersecurity

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance

2. Enhance Counterintelligence and Security

• Counterintelligence (CI) Capability

• Personnel Assessment and Evaluation

• Cyber Behavior

• Foreign Contacts

3. Mission-Enhancing Science and Technology

• Digital Exploitation

  • Document and Media Acquisition

  • Human Language Technologies

  • Computer Vision

  • Digital Signals Processing

  • Data, Process, and User Artifact Analysis

  • Document and Media Exploitation (DOMEX)

• Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)

• Biometrics

• Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Electro-Optical Detection

• Pulsed Power Detection

• Radio Frequency Detection

4. Improve Mission Support Capabilities

• Information Technology (IT)

  • IT Governance

  • Data Management and Analytics

  • Infrastructure and Cloud Management

  • Information Assurance and Cyber Defense

  • Operations Support

  • Strategic Information and Operations (SIOC)

• Cyber Capability Requirements Process

• Enterprise Common Data Fabric Solutions

5. Increase Organizational Effectiveness

• Performance Management

  • Applicant Screening

  • Career Advancement

  • Workplace Learning and Performance

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are meaningful indirect benefits to winning an FBI BAA award:

• Government validation and mission alignment: Selection indicates the FBI sees strong technical merit and mission value in your R&D approach, which can accelerate future government relationships and contracting credibility.

• Partnership acceleration: The FBI explicitly encourages partnering among industry and Government to speed adoption of new science and technology into fielded systems—awardees may benefit from stronger collaboration opportunities.

• Higher valuation via nondilutive R&D: Funding supports R&D without equity dilution, allowing companies to mature technology and strengthen valuation narratives for future financing or acquisition (general commercial benefit; not explicitly stated in BAA).

• Positioning for follow-on work: Award performance may strengthen eligibility and competitiveness for future FBI or broader federal procurements in adjacent mission areas.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

BAA open period: Effective 5/17/2023 – 05/16/2026.

1. When to submit: White papers may be submitted at any time during the open period to BAA@FBI.GOV.

2. Two-step process:

   • Step 1: Submit white paper

   • Step 2: If selected, FBI requests a formal proposal (do not submit full proposal unless requested)

3. Selection timing: FBI may make selections anytime during the open period and up to six months after closing for white papers submitted during the open period.

4. Funding receipt timing: Not specifically stated; awards depend on selection, negotiations, and funding availability.

Where does this funding come from?

This is a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Broad Agency Announcement run through the FBI Finance Division | Procurement Section.

The BAA is conducted under the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) for R&D.

Who is eligible to apply?

The BAA is intended to encourage participation by:

• Science and technology firms

• Educational institutions

Additional eligibility-related requirements include:

• Offerors must be registered in SAM prior to submission and maintain active SAM registration.

• Offerors may propose subcontracting and teaming arrangements, including industry-academia and industry-government partnerships.

• Submissions are generally expected to be UNCLASSIFIED, but classified approaches require prior FBI approval.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The FBI evaluates white papers using three equal factors:

• Technical Approach: strong scientific/technical merit, innovation, sound concept, awareness of state of the art, understanding scope, and potential FBI mission benefit.

• Capabilities and Relevant Experience: evidence the team/facilities can execute and safeguard controlled unclassified/classified info (if applicable), and prior work can be leveraged.

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): cost realism based on total estimated labor, materials, subcontracts, ODCs, indirect, and fee/profit.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions and compliance items include:

• White paper page limit: written submissions must not exceed 10 pages (pages beyond are not evaluated).

• Communications must be UNCLASSIFIED and emailed to BAA@FBI.GOV; do not email classified info.

• Security requirements: work expected unclassified, but some efforts may require personnel clearable to Top Secret (TS) and potentially SCI access with NDAs and polygraph.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Not explicitly stated, but the required Step 1 white paper format suggests typical preparation time depends on complexity:

• Written white paper: up to 10 pages plus additional sections (program plan, experience, ROM).

• Alternative format: a pre-recorded oral presentation up to 10 minutes may be submitted instead of written format.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can provide fractional or full support to increase the likelihood of success and save you a significant amount of time in the application process. Most clients don’t spend more than 3 hours a week in their engagement with us and our success rates are 2x-3x the national average. We collect your data, write an initial draft, have your team approve, and then move on to the next deliverable.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour. For full grant writing support, we would charge a $9,000 fee for submitting the initial white paper. If you receive an invitation for a full submission, there would be a follow-on payment of $9,000 to submit the full proposal with a 5% success fee contingent on award.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

AFRL Multiple Award Contract (AMAC) – Air Force Research Laboratory

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) AMAC program establishes a multiple-award IDIQ contract vehicle enabling qualified U.S. companies to compete for future AFRL-funded science and technology (S&T) research task orders. There is no funding awarded at the base contract level; funding is provided only through competitively awarded task orders after selection. Proposals are due February 27, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

There is no fixed funding amount awarded at the base IDIQ level. Each awardee is guaranteed a minimum of $500 over the life of the contract. Actual funding is awarded later through individual task or delivery orders, which may range from small research efforts to very large programs. The estimated ceiling value across all AMAC contracts is $10 billion.

How does the program work?

AMAC is not a single grant but a long-term contract vehicle that allows AFRL to rapidly fund unclassified science and technology research through future task orders. If you meet the criteria, you will receive the long-term contract vehicle. Companies selected to the AMAC vehicle become eligible to compete for AFRL-funded projects covering basic and applied research, technology development, modeling and simulation, manufacturing, experimentation, integration, and technology transition. Importantly, there is no funding awarded upfront—all funding is issued later through individual task orders, each with its own scope, budget, and performance period.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond task-order funding, AMAC awardees gain several indirect but material benefits:

• Government Validation and Credibility: Selection confirms AFRL validation of your company’s technical experience as a prime contractor.

• Long-Term AFRL Access: Awardees are eligible to compete for AFRL task orders for up to 8 years.

• Increased Visibility: Awardees become part of AFRL’s active R&D contractor ecosystem.

• Non-Dilutive Growth: Task-order funding enables technology maturation without equity dilution.

• Stronger Strategic Positioning: Proven AFRL work can enhance acquisition, partnership, and future DoD contracting opportunities.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Proposals must be submitted by February 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Base IDIQ awards are made after evaluation. Funding is only received after winning individual task orders, which may be issued at any point during the contract’s ordering period.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding for task orders comes from AFRL directorates and partner agencies using AFRL as the contracting vehicle. The base AMAC contract itself does not carry dedicated funding.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based companies that can demonstrate qualifying prime contractor experience in federal S&T research. This includes:

• Small businesses

• Large businesses

• Joint ventures

• Universities and non-profits

Foreign-owned or foreign-influenced companies are not eligible unless formally approved through the National Industrial Security Program.

What companies will receive the contracting vehicle?

To receive an AMAC award, offerors must:

• Be a responsible source under FAR Part 9

• Submit a compliant proposal following Section L instructions

• Achieve a validated minimum score of 1,000 points in the self-scoring technical experience evaluation here

• Demonstrate prime contractor experience in AFRL technical Areas of Interest

• Receive an Acceptable rating for both Technical Experience and Small Business Participation Commitment

There is no price competition at the base contract level.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. Key restrictions include:

• No classified work is permitted under the AMAC base contract

• Only prime contractor experience counts toward technical scoring

• Subcontractor experience does not qualify for scoring

How can BW&CO help?

The AMAC solicitation is fundamentally a compliance-driven, pass/fail process. AFRL has stated that any offeror who submits a fully compliant proposal and meets the minimum technical threshold will receive an AMAC contract—while even minor non-compliance can result in elimination, regardless of technical merit. BW&CO helps ensure your proposal is structured correctly, fully compliant, and strategically positioned so you don’t lose this opportunity due to avoidable errors.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Program (NSF SBIR/STTR)

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, provides up to $305,000 in non-dilutive funding to U.S.-based startups to conduct high-risk, high-reward R&D based on novel science or engineering. The goal is to help companies build a proof-of-concept or prototype with strong commercial and societal impact. Companies must first submit a Project Pitch and receive an invitation before applying. Multiple submission deadlines occur each year.

How much funding would I receive?

Phase I awards provide up to $305,000 in total non-dilutive funding for a 6–18 month project. This amount is inclusive of all direct and indirect costs, the small business fee, and recommended commercialization support such as NSF I-Corps training and Technical and Business Assistance (TABA).

Companies that successfully complete Phase I are eligible to apply for Phase II funding of up to $1,250,000 over 24 months, with the opportunity to apply for additional supplemental funding that may exceed $500,000, bringing total potential NSF support to $2 million or more across phases.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may be used to develop technologies in almost any area below - See a full expanded list here:

• Advanced Manufacturing (M)

• Advanced Materials (AM)

• Advanced Systems for Scalable Analytics (AA)

• Agricultural Technologies (AG)

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Augmented Virtual and Mixed Reality (AV/VR/MR)

• Biological Technologies (BT)

• Biomedical Technologies (BM)

• Chemical Technologies (CT)

• Cloud and High-Performance Computing (CH)

• Cybersecurity and Authentication (CA)

• Digital Health (DH)

• Distributed Ledger (DL)

• Energy Technologies (EN)

• Environmental Technologies (ET)

• Human-Computer Interaction (HC)

• Instrumentation and Hardware Systems (IH)

• Internet of Things (I)

• Learning and Cognition Technologies (LC)

• Medical Devices (MD)

• Mobility (MO)

• Nanotechnology (N)

• Other Topics (OT)

• Pharmaceutical Technologies (PT)

• Photonics (PH)

• Power Management (PM)

• Quantum Information Technologies (QT)

• Robotics (R)

• Semiconductors (S)

• Space (SP)

• Wireless Technologies (W)

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the direct funding, NSF SBIR/STTR awards provide several significant indirect benefits:

Government Validation and Credibility:
Being selected through NSF’s highly competitive merit review process signals strong technical innovation and commercial potential, which can materially increase credibility with investors, partners, and customers.

Founder-Friendly, Non-Dilutive Capital:
Awards are grants with 0% equity taken, allowing founders to advance core technology without dilution or repayment obligations.

Expert Feedback and Coaching:
All applicants receive detailed feedback from technical and commercial reviewers, and awardees work closely with experienced NSF Program Directors.

Enhanced Market Visibility:
Awardees are publicly recognized through NSF communications and often gain increased visibility within the deep tech and innovation ecosystem.

Stronger Follow-On Funding and Exit Potential:
Companies that de-risk technology with NSF funding are often better positioned for Phase II funding, venture capital, strategic partnerships, and higher-value exits.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Project Pitch: Can be submitted on a rolling basis starting mid-February (estimated)

• Full Proposal Deadlines: Multiple deadlines each year. Estimated deadline March 2026.

• Review Process: Typically 5–7 months from proposal submission to award decision.

• Funding Release: Most funds become available 1-2 months after award notification.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through its congressionally mandated SBIR and STTR programs, administered by the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a U.S.-based small business with 500 or fewer employees

• Be majority U.S.-owned

• Perform R&D primarily in the United States

• Not be majority-owned by venture capital, hedge funds, or private equity firms

• Have a Principal Investigator primarily employed by the company (≥51%)

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Successful applicants typically demonstrate:

• A novel scientific or engineering breakthrough with strong differentiation

• High technical risk that requires R&D to resolve

• Clear commercial market pull and scalable business potential

• A defensible competitive advantage difficult to replicate

• A technically strong, committed founding team focused on commercialization

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• No funding for clinical trials, marketing, or incremental product development

• No foreign R&D or foreign travel

• Letters of support from customers are not allowed in Phase I

• Equipment purchases over $5,000 are not allowed

• Only one proposal per company per submission deadline

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Most first-time applicants should expect 80–120 hours of effort over 8–12 weeks, including technical writing, budget preparation, registrations (SAM, SBA, Research.gov), and internal reviews.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $9,000 + 5% Success Fee.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Learn more about the program here.

Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide BAA – DARPA

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is soliciting proposals under its Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to fund revolutionary basic or applied research that enables breakthrough advances in science, devices, or systems for national security applications. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis through June 2, 2026, and may be submitted as executive summaries, abstracts, or full proposals. This BAA is designed to capture novel, high-risk, high-reward ideas not already addressed by existing DARPA programs.

How much funding would I receive?

DARPA anticipates making multiple awards, but no fixed award size or funding range is specified in the BAA. Award amounts, duration, and structure are determined based on the proposed technical scope, cost realism, and selected award instrument. An accelerated award option is available for select proposals not exceeding $2,000,000, with awards made within approximately 30 days of selection.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may be used to pursue innovative basic or applied research concepts that enable revolutionary (not evolutionary) advances aligned with DARPA’s mission. Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following DSO technical thrust areas:

• Materials, Manufacturing, and Structures - Breaking the tension between performance and efficiency for critical parts, production processes, energetics, superconductors, and propulsion

• Sensing, Measuring, and Affecting - Developing and leveraging new science to overcome existing barriers limiting the performance and/or practicality of sensing, measurement, and control, to achieve orders of-magnitude improvement in operational capabilities.

• Math, Computation, and Processing - Enabling quantum, reimagining classical, and developing entirely new forms of computing for enhanced efficiency and new capabilities. Solutions may range from new approaches to hardware (implementation) to representation and computation.

• Complex, Dynamic, and Intelligent Systems - Creating new scientific capabilities for classes of systems that evolve and adapt and for which traditional reductionist, data-driven, and statistical methods fail. Systems of interest include, but are not limited to, foundations of intelligence, human-AI ecosystems, homeostatic mechanisms, and global systems.

Proposals focused primarily on incremental improvements or manufacturing scale-up are explicitly excluded.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond direct funding, selection under a DARPA DSO BAA provides substantial indirect value:

• DARPA Validation and Credibility: Being selected signals strong technical merit and alignment with DARPA’s mission to create or prevent technological surprise.

• Increased Visibility: Awardees gain visibility within the national security R&D ecosystem and among DARPA program managers.

• Access to DARPA Engagement Pathways: Participation can lead to future invitations to targeted DARPA programs, Disruption Opportunities (DOs), or Advanced Research Concepts (ARCs).

• Nondilutive De-Risking: Advancing frontier technology with nondilutive capital can materially improve company valuation and future exit outcomes.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

1. Review Process: Rolling through June 2, 2026

2. Accelerated Award Option: Awards made within ~30 days of selection for qualifying proposals

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) within the U.S. Department of Defense, through the Defense Sciences Office (DSO).

Who is eligible to apply?

1. U.S. and non-U.S. organizations may apply

2. Small businesses, startups, universities, and large firms are eligible

3. FFRDCs, UARCs, and Government Entities (including National Labs) are not eligible

4. Non-U.S. participants must comply with export control, security, and nondisclosure requirements

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA evaluates proposals based on the following criteria:

• Scientific and technical merit of a novel, feasible, and well-reasoned approach

• Relevance and contribution to DARPA’s mission and national security impact

• Clear articulation of technical risk and credible mitigation strategies

• Strong alignment between scope, cost, and schedule realism

• Ability to enable revolutionary—not incremental—advances

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Incremental or evolutionary improvements are not of interest

• Manufacturing scale-up is explicitly excluded

• Some projects may involve Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and require compliance with NIST SP 800-171

• Projects involving human subjects or animal research must follow DARPA approval procedures

• DARPA retains discretion to determine whether work is fundamental or non-fundamental research

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission under this BAA will likely take 120–160 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $5,000 for the Abstract Submission.

Fractional support is $300 per hour, with most DARPA proposal projects requiring 80–100 hours of expert support from strategy through submission of full proposal.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See solicitation on sam.gov

Generative Optogenetics - DARPA BTO

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office is awarding $1.7M–$1.99M Phase 1 awards to teams developing optically controlled, template-free DNA or RNA synthesis in living cells under the Generative Optogenetics (GO) program. The program uses a staged process beginning with 5-page abstracts due January 16, 2026, followed by invitation-only oral proposals.

How much funding would I receive?

If selected, you would receive a fixed-price Phase 1 award of $1.7M for Research Objective 1 (RO1) or $1.99M if addressing both RO1 and the optional Research Objective 2 (RO2). DARPA anticipates multiple Phase 2 awards for teams that successfully pass the Phase 1 Concept Design Review at month 9.

What could I use the funding for?

The DARPA GO program aims to develop a protein complex, referred to here as a nucleic acid compiler (NAC), that can be expressed within living cells to allow an end user to program genetic instructions into those cells, template-free, using nothing but light to transfer the genetic information to the cells (Figure 1). The central challenge of developing the NAC involves integrating protein domains / subunits for precise optical responsiveness (i.e., optogenetic domains), substrate binding, and enzymatic activity into a functional complex of proteins (i.e., a holoenzyme). While many of these domains have precedence as either engineered or naturally occurring proteins, the challenge lies in developing the interoperability and seamless integration of these domains into a functional holoenzyme, the NAC. Advances in computational design, which allow for accurate prediction of protein structures and binding interactions, are essential for optimizing substrate binding sites, allosteric interactions, and domain integration. These computational tools are crucial for designing the NAC to respond rapidly and predictably to optical signals, enabling the synthesis of long, accurate nucleic acid sequences that can precisely alter cellular function as intended. Moreover, expression of the NAC itself must not be deleterious to host cell function or viability.

To develop the NAC, the GO program consists of two Research Objectives (ROs):

• Research Objective 1 (RO1): De Novo Synthesis

  All GO performers MUST address RO1, which focuses on developing the core capability of the NAC for template-free DNA or RNA synthesis, where optical inputs precisely dictate the sequence of the nucleic acid produced by the NAC in a living cell. A NAC can be designed using a variety of architectures, ranging from extremes of a single, monolithic protein comprised of multiple domains to multi-unit complex (Figure 2). To accomplish this, performers will need to solve three critical challenges: achieving multiplexed optogenetic control, ensuring stability and the precise polymerization of the NAC-nucleic acid sequences, and successfully integrating the molecular components into the NAC.

  1.3.2.1. Multiplexed Optogenetics

  Achieving distinct multiplexed optical programming of the NAC presents a significant challenge, as it requires precise engineering of multiple protein domains capable of responding to distinct wavelengths of light. Currently optogenetic systems have been demonstrated to support up to three distinguishable wavelengths (red, green, and blue) within a cell, but expanding this capability is essential for enabling the NAC to incorporate nucleotides with high precision. This expansion may involve optimizing existing optogenetic domains or developing new ones with improved photophysical properties, such as enhanced spectral separation, faster on/off kinetics, and reduced phototoxicity. By leveraging photons as massless information carriers, these optogenetic domains must facilitate precise molecular motion and interaction, ensuring accurate nucleotide incorporation and enzymatic activity. Computational protein design tools and directed evolution approaches offer potential strategies to overcome these limitations, enabling the multiplexed optical control required for the NAC to function effectively.

  1.3.2.2. Stable and Precise Polymerization

  The NAC must achieve precise polymerization, including initiating synthesis, maintaining processivity to stabilize elongating nucleic acid sequences, and efficiently releasing the synthesized strand to meet program metrics for length and accuracy. The NAC design may need to include strategies to address the challenge of selectively binding the correct nucleotide substrate at the correct time from the mixture of these substrates that exists within the cellular environment. Overcoming this challenge will be necessary for the NAC to achieve desired sequence accuracy metrics for the GO program. Additionally, the stability of the complex formed between the NAC and the nucleic acid sequence it is synthesizing must be sufficient to avoid unwanted dissociations that will result in truncated sequences. Similarly, NACs that synthesize single-stranded nucleic acids will need to overcome issues associated with secondary structures (e.g., hairpin loops) in the DNA/RNA molecule that could interfere with continued synthesis. Achieving stable NAC-based nucleic acid synthesis may necessitate designs that incorporate accessory subunits/domains to improve processivity by holding on to the newly synthesized strand and/or single-stranded binding proteins/domains that hinder the formation of problematic secondary structure in DNA/RNA molecules. Finally, the performers will need to resolve the challenge of releasing synthesized sequences, which may involve strategies such as natural termination signals or engineering inducible cleavage mechanisms.

  1.3.2.3. Integration of Molecular Components

  A fully functional NAC must integrate optogenetic, substrate binding, catalytic, and other domains into a cohesive holoenzyme capable of precise and predictable operation. This integration presents significant challenges, as the domains must interact seamlessly to ensure accurate nucleotide incorporation and overall system functionality. For example, optogenetic domains may need to regulate substrate binding to ensure that nucleotide incorporation into the DNA or RNA sequence aligns precisely with the optical illumination pattern. Similarly, designs involving protein subunit binding must coordinate these interactions with substrate binding domains to maintain synchronization and fidelity. Addressing these challenges may involve strategies such as identifying domains that interact effectively to control the NAC, ensuring synchronous activation and deactivation of multiple NACs within a living cell, and optimizing domain interfaces for efficient communication. Potential approaches include leveraging computational tools to map allosteric pathways, modeling molecular motion to predict domain interactions, and employing high-throughput empirical methods to refine and validate integration strategies.

• Research Objective 2 (RO2): Error Mitigation

  OPTIONAL, GO performers may elect to address RO2 in addition to RO1. Note that GO performers shall not pursue RO2 without addressing RO1. RO2 addresses the challenge of achieving high-fidelity synthesis in NACs by incorporating mechanisms to detect and filter out sequence errors. Some applications of GO technology will necessitate NACs capable of synthesizing longer sequences, and it is anticipated that increasing the length of the sequence will increase the likelihood it contains errors. To this end, RO2 aims to investigate the tradeoffs involved in designing a NAC with enhanced error detection capabilities to meet stricter error tolerance requirements, including how these design choices impact overall NAC performance. There are several potential approaches to address RO2 (Figure 3), an example includes developing doublestranded synthesis methods that incorporate components such as mismatch-binding proteins (e.g., MutS homologs). These proteins can either flag errors for downstream correction or be engineered to degrade faulty sequences, ensuring that only high-fidelity nucleic acid strands are retained. Other strategies may include utilizing base editors to identify nucleotide incorporation errors or synthesizing palindromic sequences that fold onto themselves to increase error detection. RO2 provides an opportunity to explore innovative solutions to error mitigation while considering the tradeoffs in performance, complexity, and scalability inherent to these approaches.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the direct award, companies benefit from:

DARPA Validation & Technical Credibility
Selection by DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) signals exceptional technical rigor and alignment with DARPA’s high-risk, high-reward biotechnology priorities. This validation materially strengthens credibility with strategic partners, investors, and future government customers.

Non-Dilutive Advancement of Breakthrough Biotechnology
GO awards enable teams to mature foundational, high-risk biological technologies using non-dilutive capital. Companies can advance technically ambitious platforms without sacrificing equity, increasing both technical readiness and enterprise value.

Access to DARPA Program Leadership & Expert Networks
Awardees engage directly with DARPA program managers, technical reviewers, and advisory working groups throughout the program. This access provides rare insight into government priorities, technical expectations, and future transition considerations.

Commercialization Support & Structured Market Exposure
GO performers receive guidance from an Independent Commercialization and Consulting Group (ICCG) and participate in structured commercialization workshops and pitch events. These activities help teams refine business hypotheses, market positioning, and transition strategies alongside experienced investors and operators.

Enhanced Visibility Across the Biotechnology Ecosystem
Participation in a DARPA flagship biology program elevates company visibility across the defense, academic, and commercial biotech ecosystems—positioning awardees as leaders in next-generation genetic and optogenetic technologies.

Stronger Long-Term Exit & Transition Potential
By maturing core technology under DARPA sponsorship and demonstrating government-backed technical progress, companies strengthen their positioning for follow-on funding, strategic partnerships, and long-term acquisition or licensing opportunities.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

The process begins with a 5-page abstract due January 16, 2026.. Selected teams are invited to present an in-person Oral Proposal Package. Phase 1 awards follow oral presentations, subject to funding availability. Phase 1 runs 12 months, with a major down-selection at month 9. Phase 2, if awarded, runs an additional 30 months

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) within the Department of Defense, through DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO), using Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype authority.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. and non-U.S. companies, startups, universities, nonprofits, and research institutions, including nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and government entities may apply with additional eligibility documentation. All performers must be able to accept an OT agreement and comply with export control and CUI requirements.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Competitive teams will demonstrate deep expertise in protein engineering, optogenetics, enzymatic nucleic acid synthesis, and computational biology, with a credible plan to integrate these into a functioning system in living cells. DARPA emphasizes technically bold, high-risk approaches that directly address program metrics rather than incremental biology research.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. The program excludes human and animal research, embryonic stem cells, bioprospecting for new natural proteins, substantial hardware development, in vitro assembly workflows, and systems that operate outside the central dogma. Phase 2 work involves Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), requiring NIST 800-171–compliant systems and DARPA security coordination.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Most teams should expect 4–6 weeks to prepare a competitive abstract, including technical framing, team formation, and compliance review. Invited teams will need additional time to prepare a detailed Oral Proposal Package, cost models, and milestone plans under DARPA’s OT structure

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

$4,000 for Abstract Submission.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See solicitation on sam.gov

DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Office-Wide BAA

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) is offering funding for revolutionary research across microelectronics, photonic circuits, quantum systems, biological/organic circuits, advanced manufacturing ecosystems, and dual-use microsystems. Multiple awards are anticipated, with no predefined funding limits. Abstracts are accepted until January 15, 2026, and proposals until March 2, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding amount is flexible. DARPA anticipates multiple awards, and efforts may span basic research (6.1), applied research (6.2), or advanced technology development (6.3). Proposers can also elect an Accelerated Award Option for awards under $2 million with 30-day award timelines.

What could I use the funding for?

Research areas of current interest to MTO include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Quantum circuits

  1. Interconnect technologies for transferring quantum states between qubit platforms

  2. Generalizable improvements for processing chain for all types of quantum sensors

  3. High density low loss mixed signal transfer between room and quantum temperatures

• Biological circuits

  1. High throughput molecular readers for full spectrum sequencing

  2. 3-dimensional bio-templated self-assembly of microsystems

  3. Highly-parallel DNA writing platforms for long DNA writes for genome-scale complexity with low error

• Photonic circuits

  1. Applications for purely photonic circuits not realizable in electronic circuits

  2. Chip scale photonics for ultralow noise microwave sources

  3. Tunable chip scale ultrafast (<10 ps) lasers

  4. Fiber-inspired ultralow loss integrated photonics

• Manufacturing Ecosystem

  1. Litho- and etch-free direct nanoscale semiconductor manufacturing

  2. Low-loss high permeability/permittivity materials

  3. High density cryogenic-to-room-temperature interconnects

  4. Atomically precise, multi-chemistry molecular manufacturing technologies

  5. Energy reclamation from low-grade waste heat

  6. Reconfigurable multiscale manufacturing for onshore manufacturing

• Dual Use by Design

  1. All-weather long distance high bandwidth communications

  2. Commercially relevant tool development challenge problems

  3. Conformal and malleable batteries

  4. Design and assembly of complex microsystems in supply-chain-free environments

  5. Reconfigurable additive manufacturing for multiple classes of materials

  6. Context aware imaging

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond direct funding, awardees gain significant strategic advantages:

Government Validation & Credibility
DARPA selection signals elite technical quality and national-security relevance — often accelerating partnerships with primes, OEMs, and investors.

Enhanced Market Visibility
Awards frequently lead to increased visibility through DARPA communications, publications, and industry attention.

Ecosystem Access & Collaboration
Awardees join a national innovation community spanning quantum, photonics, microelectronics, and advanced materials — opening doors to long-term collaborations and follow-on opportunities.

Stronger Exit & Acquisition Potential
Non-dilutive support enables deep tech maturation without equity loss. Companies validated by DARPA historically see improved valuation, stronger commercial traction, and increased acquisition interest.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Abstract Deadline: January 15, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

Proposal Deadline: March 2, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

DARPA reviews proposals on a rolling basis.

If you select the Accelerated Award Option (<$2M projects), DARPA may issue an award within 30 days of selection notification.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Microsystems Technology Office (STO).

Who is eligible to apply?

The BAA does not restrict eligibility. Typical DARPA BAAs accept proposals from:

• U.S. businesses of any size

• Universities

• Nonprofits

• Federally-funded research and development centers (with limitations)

Foreign entities may be subject to additional restrictions depending on classification and export-control considerations.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA will select proposals that score highly on scientific merit, mission relevance, and cost realism.

• High Scientific & Technical Merit: Innovative, feasible, and well-justified approaches with clear deliverables, identified risks and credible mitigations, and a team with the expertise to execute.

• Strong Contribution to DARPA’s Mission: Efforts that meaningfully advance U.S. national security capabilities, show a credible transition path to U.S. defense applications, and include an IP strategy that does not hinder government use.

• Realistic, Well-Substantiated Costs: Budgets that accurately reflect the level of effort, materials, labor, and technical scope—avoiding artificially low estimates and demonstrating efficient use of prior research and existing capabilities.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Research must be revolutionary, not incremental.

• CMMC Level 2 is required for procurement contracts beginning Nov 10, 2025.

• Foreign influence and security review applies to fundamental research teams.

• Classified submissions require coordination with DARPA security.

• Export control and CUI restrictions apply.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission under this BAA will likely take 120–160 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $5,000 for the Abstract Submission.

Fractional support is $300 per hour, with most DARPA proposal projects requiring 80–100 hours of expert support from strategy through submission of full proposal.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See solicitation on sam.gov

DARPA Strategic Technology Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office (STO) BAA is soliciting breakthrough research concepts that create new mission-level capabilities beyond the current state of practice. The agency will fund a limited number of high-risk, high-reward proposals across a broad range of defense and national-security technical domains. Applications are due December 19, 2025.

How much funding would I receive?

DARPA does not publish fixed award amounts for this BAA. STO funds a limited number of proposals, and budgets are determined by the technical approach, the scope of work, and alignment with STO priorities.

What could I use the funding for?

DARPA's STO seeks innovative ideas and disruptive technologies that provide the U.S. military and national security leaders with trusted, disruptive capabilities across all physical domains (Air, Space, Sea, and Land) and across the spectrum of competition. STO programs deliver solutions at speed and scale for today's warfighters while developing the resilient "breakthrough" systems and technologies needed for future battlespaces. STO does not focus on one area of responsibility or phenomenology. Rather, STO programs capture the strategic, logistical, and tactical complexity of today's national security environments. STO is a "systems office" seeking to create new "proof-of-concept" mission systems. Its goals are to develop and demonstrate new capabilities that expand what is technically possible.

Research areas of current interest to STO include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

•  Acoustic communication and sensing

•  Adaptability

•  Advanced computing

•  Additive manufacturing

•  Architecture and advanced systems engineering

•  Artificial intelligence

•  Autonomy and control algorithms

•  "Big data" analytics

•  Combat identification

•  Command and control (C2)

•  Communications and networking, virtual and adaptive

•  Complexity management

•  Critical infrastructure defense

•  Decision aids and C2 technology

•  DevOps and novel software development and integration

•  Directed energy (DE)

•  Distributed autonomy and teaming (machine-machine, human-machine)

•  Economic security

•  Effects chain functions (disaggregated find, fix, finish, target, engage, assess)

•  Electro-optic/infrared sensors

•  Electromagnetic warfare (EW)

•  High-frequency (HF) communications and sensing

•  High voltage electric power systems and architecture

•  Human behavior modeling

•  Human-machine symbiosis

•  Industrial engineering

•  Integration and reliability technologies

•  Interoperability

•  Logistics

•  Modeling and simulation

•  Microwave and millimeter wave communications and sensing

•  Novel kinetic effects

•  Non-kinetic effects (EW, DE, cyber)

•  Optical technologies

•  Photonics

•  Radio technologies (especially software-defined and novel waveforms and processing)

•  Radar and adaptive arrays

•  Resilient systems

•  Robotics

•  Seekers and other expendable sensors and processing

•  Sensors and analytics

•  Signal processing

•  Space sensors, communications, autonomy, and architectures (especially supporting proliferated low earth orbit constellations)

•  Strategy analysis technology

•  Supply chain analytics

•  System of systems

•  Undersea and seabed technology

•  Tactics development technology

•  Testing and data collection

•  Very low earth orbit (VLEO) technology

•  Very low frequency (VLF) technology

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the direct award, DARPA funding offers significant strategic advantages:

Government Validation and Credibility:
Receiving a DARPA award signals exceptional scientific and engineering merit, which accelerates engagement with primes, integrators, strategic partners, and investors.

Enhanced Visibility and Notoriety:
DARPA programs are frequently highlighted in federal communications, technical conferences, and defense media—boosting your company’s profile across the national security sector.

Ecosystem Access and Collaboration Opportunities:
Awardees gain access to DARPA program managers, government labs, test ranges, and a high-level innovation network—opening doors to future contracts and partnerships.

Stronger Exit and Acquisition Potential:
Nondilutive funding that matures breakthrough technology, combined with the DARPA “stamp,” often increases valuation and attractiveness to large defense, aerospace, semiconductor, and AI-focused acquirers.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Applications are due December 19, 2025.

DARPA does not publish a fixed award timeline.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Strategic Technology Office (STO), a DoD organization responsible for advanced mission-level systems and emerging technologies.

Who is eligible to apply?

The BAA does not restrict eligibility. Typical DARPA BAAs accept proposals from:

• U.S. businesses of any size

• Universities

• Nonprofits

• Federally-funded research and development centers (with limitations)

Foreign entities may be subject to additional restrictions depending on classification and export-control considerations.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA will select proposals that score highly on scientific merit, mission relevance, and cost realism.

• High Scientific & Technical Merit: Innovative, feasible, and well-justified approaches with clear deliverables, identified risks and credible mitigations, and a team with the expertise to execute.

• Strong Contribution to DARPA’s Mission: Efforts that meaningfully advance U.S. national security capabilities, show a credible transition path to U.S. defense applications, and include an IP strategy that does not hinder government use.

• Realistic, Well-Substantiated Costs: Budgets that accurately reflect the level of effort, materials, labor, and technical scope—avoiding artificially low estimates and demonstrating efficient use of prior research and existing capabilities.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Proposals must not duplicate existing STO programs or other active STO BAAs.

• Research that yields incremental or “evolutionary” improvements is specifically excluded.

• Offerors are strongly encouraged to review current STO programs and speak with program managers before applying.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission under this BAA will likely take 120–160 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $15,000 Project + a 5% Success Fee.

Fractional support is $300 per hour, with most DARPA proposal projects requiring 80–100 hours of expert support from strategy through submission of full proposal.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See solicitation on sam.gov

The AFWERX & SpaceWERX Open Topic Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Executive Summary:

AFWERX & SpaceWERX’s Open Topic provides SBIR/STTR awards to small businesses to validate feasibility (Phase I) and build prototypes with Air Force or Space Force partners (Phase II or D2P2). Any technology could potentially be funded if it provides real value to the military. Phase I awards are up to $75K/$110K for 3 months; Phase II up to $1.25M/$1.8M; Direct to Phase II up to $1.25M. The next deadlines are estimated to be Q4 of 2025 or Q1 of 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

1. Phase I (Feasibility Study): Up to $75K (SBIR) or $110K (STTR) for a 3-month effort.

2. Phase II (Prototype Development): Up to $1.25M (SBIR) or $1.8M (STTR) for up to 21 months.

3. Direct to Phase II (D2P2): Up to $1.25M (SBIR) for up to 21 months, available to companies that can skip Phase I by providing prior feasibility evidence and a signed Customer Memorandum.

What could I use the funding for?

• Phase I funds a feasibility study and/or customer discovery to identify an Air Force or Space Force end user and customer, culminating in a preliminary and final report.

• Phase II/D2P2 funds R&D to adapt and prototype your dual-use solution with an Air Force or Space Force Technical Point of Contact and the Customer/End User who signed the Customer Memorandum.

See sample projects here.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, AFWERX/SpaceWERX Open Topic participants gain several strategic advantages:

• Government Validation and Credibility: Selection for an AFWERX or SpaceWERX SBIR/STTR award demonstrates strong technical merit and alignment with Department of the Air Force priorities. This validation builds trust among primes, defense customers, and private investors.

• Enhanced Visibility and Market Recognition: Awardees are often highlighted in AFWERX communications, SpaceWERX showcases, and federal innovation reports—raising profile across defense, aerospace, and venture communities.

• Access to the National Defense Innovation Network: Recipients gain entry into the AFVentures ecosystem, connecting with Air and Space Force end users, program offices, and transition partners to accelerate dual-use commercialization and follow-on contracting opportunities.

• Stronger Commercial and Exit Potential: By advancing technology with nondilutive funding and government-backed validation, companies enhance valuation, de-risk product development, and increase attractiveness for acquisition or follow-on investment

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

The next deadlines are expected to be Q4 of 2025 and Q1 of 2026. Funding is generally received 4-5 months after the deadline.

Where does this funding come from?

Awards are made under the Department of the Air Force SBIR/STTR program via AFWERX/AFVentures and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that:

• Are organized for profit with a U.S. place of business.

• Have ≤ 500 employees including affiliates.

• Are > 50% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, qualifying U.S. entities, or combinations thereof.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Proposals are evaluated based on three primary criteria:

• Technical Approach: The soundness, feasibility, and innovation of your proposed solution—how effectively it addresses the problem and advances the state of the art.

• Defense Need: The strength of alignment between your technology and an identified Air Force or Space Force capability gap, as demonstrated through end-user engagement or a signed Customer Memorandum.

• Commercialization Potential: The dual-use viability and market readiness of your solution—its potential to scale in both defense and commercial sectors.

Strong applications clearly articulate all three dimensions, showing technical excellence, a validated Air Force or Space Force use case, and a credible path to commercial success.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Proposal Template Compliance: You must use the required proposal template; any content placed outside designated pages will not be evaluated.

• U.S.-Based R/R&D Requirement: All research and development activities funded under the award must be conducted within the United States.

• ITAR Restrictions: Projects involving ITAR-controlled materials limit the participation of foreign nationals.

• Customer Memorandum Requirement: A signed Customer Memorandum is mandatory for all Phase II and Direct to Phase II (D2P2) submissions.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission will likely take 120–200 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for

• Phase I: $9,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.

• Phase II/D2P2: $15,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Access the AFWERX Website here.

Adaptive Manufacturing and Integration at Scale (10^n)

Executive Summary:

The Department of War (using the DIU Commercial Solutions Opening process) is seeking commercial prototypes that demonstrate responsive, adaptive, and scalable production methods (e.g., digital design, AI-enabled software, 3D printing, CNC, automated molding, software-defined manufacturing) to create a resilient domestic space supply chain capable of on-demand production at unprecedented scale.
Responses are due by November 21, 2025, meaning companies should begin preparing today and seek additional help in order to meet this deadline.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding levels are not pre-set. Awards are made under Other Transaction (OT) authority, which allows the government to negotiate prototype agreements of varying scale based on project scope and relevance. Vendors selected for Phase 2 will provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate. Follow-on production contracts—potentially of significantly larger magnitude—may be awarded without further competition if the prototype is successful.

What could I use the funding for?

Background and Problem Statement: The current domestic space supply chain, is oriented towards low-volume, exquisite production of bespoke components for highly specialized spacecraft. This model involves long lead times, high costs, and minimal bench stock. Suppliers are typically small and specialized entities that produce components in units of tens, not hundreds or thousands.

This legacy approach cannot meet current demand, which is driven by a dramatic increase in heavy lift launch capacity, cadence (trending towards a launch every day),  and the need for proliferated satellite architectures. The existing exquisite supply chain will not scale without significant government investment and is unlikely to achieve the production levels needed to support the warfighter in times of conflict.

In response, the Department of War (DoW) is seeking commercial solutions to address production rate and capacity challenges in the U.S. space supply chain. This initiative aims to leverage digital design, AI-enabled software, adaptive manufacturing, and agile testing to rapidly produce dual- use space systems on demand and at commercial scale. Developing responsive, scalable and affordable  space systems is critical for maintaining U.S. technological leadership in the space domain.

The Desired Solution and Key Objectives

The DoW seeks commercial solutions to prototype and demonstrate responsive and adaptive production methods (e.g., design for manufacturing (DFM), artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, computer numerical control (CNC), automated molding, software-defined manufacturing) with the goal of creating a resilient, adaptive, and agile domestic space supply chain capable of on-demand production at an unprecedented scale.

Key objectives include:

• Achieve economies of scale in the U.S. space supply chain 

• Disrupt DoW’s dependence on exquisite sources of parts requiring long lead times

• Demonstrate on-demand production rates of hundreds of units per month (10²/mo) to thousands per year (≥10³/yr).

• Team commercial suppliers, advanced manufacturers, and defense integrators to address critical supply chain shortfalls as appropriate.

• Accelerate the advancement of space manufacturing readiness level (MRL).

• Employ an agile Design-Build-Test and Validate/Qualify iterative process to retain technological relevance.

Participant Roles

We will form teaming arrangements from the down-selected companies to collectively meet the needs of this AOI through an iterative process of digital design, adaptive building, operational test, and independent qualification.

Companies applying should identify with one of the following roles:

• Defense Integrators: Defense contractors with a successful history of executing DoW contracts for system-level production units (e.g., spacecraft, aerospace systems).

• Adaptive Manufacturers: Established companies experienced in scaling design-to-production throughput, including smart factories and agile supply chains.

• Disruptive Innovators: Companies of any size that have developed disruptive technologies or manufacturing capabilities that enable economies of scale (e.g., unique software, robotics, AI algorithms).

Success will be measured by the DoW’s ability to demonstrate substantial economies of scale in the mass production and integration of critical space components and systems.

Mandatory Attributes: 

• Must have an established production capability (e.g. technology, process, or facility) to meet the specified production rates (10²/mo or 10³/yr).

• Must be able to collaborate digitally throughout all prototype phases.

• Must be agile and able to source components at the speed of relevance.

• Defense Integrators must be willing to team with selected commercial companies.

Desired Attributes for Compelling Solutions:

• Ready to produce key elements of flight-ready hardware within 3 months of the award.

• Designed for autonomous operation.

• Produced domestically or via friendly foreign supply chains.

• Responsive and cost-effective at production scale.

• Solutions should be commercially viable independent of this specific government use case.

Product/Capabilities Exemplars

There are known critical space manufacturing supply chain bottlenecks and these challenges range from Tier 1 Systems, Tier 2 Sub Systems, Tier 3 Assemblies, Tier 4 Components and Parts, or Tier 5 Hardware and Materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, propulsion tanks, power supplies, star trackers, thrusters, rad-hard electronics, batteries, modems, crypto, harnesses, and/or domestic commodities production for space applications. It is anticipated that defense integrators include discussion of Tier 1 and Tier 2 supply chain bottleneck solutions while adaptive manufacturers and disruptive innovators can highlight specific Tier 3, 4, and 5 products/capabilities they consider candidates for this CSO.  Capabilities that enable scaled production rates (10²/mo or 10³/yr) are an example.  

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the direct funding, participation offers major strategic advantages:

Government Validation and Credibility:
Selection through the DIU CSO process signals that your company’s industrialized construction approach meets urgent defense infrastructure modernization goals. That endorsement strengthens credibility with defense primes, base infrastructure offices, and private investors.

Enhanced Market Visibility and Notoriety:
Awardees gain visibility through DIU announcements, government communications, and defense industry press—establishing your firm as a recognized innovator in resilient military housing and off-site manufacturing.

Follow-On Production Opportunities:
Successful prototypes can transition directly to follow-on production agreements without further competition, potentially unlocking multi-installation, multi-year build programs.

Nondilutive Growth and Exit Value:
Winning an OT award provides nondilutive capital and validation, often leading to higher valuations and stronger acquisition potential for defense and construction-tech firms.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Phase 1 Submission Deadline: November 21, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)

• Phase 2 Pitches

• Phase 3 Full Proposals

• Awards: Prototype OT agreements are often executed within 60–90 days of selection under the above process.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided through the Department of War (DoW) under the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) using Other Transaction (OT) authority (10 U.S.C. § 4022). This allows flexible, competitive awards to commercial vendors outside of traditional Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Defense Integrators – Established DoD contractors capable of system-level production and integration.

• Adaptive Manufacturers – Companies experienced in high-throughput, smart, or autonomous production systems.

• Disruptive Innovators – Any company (including startups and SMEs) offering breakthrough technologies that enable large-scale or cost-efficient production, such as AI-driven design or robotic manufacturing.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Defense Integrators:

• Have a track record of successful DoD system-level production (e.g., spacecraft or aerospace systems).

• Present clear plans to integrate adaptive manufacturers and innovators into their production pipelines.

• Address Tier 1 and Tier 2 bottlenecks such as propulsion systems, payload integration, or power architectures.

• Demonstrate the ability to rapidly qualify and field flight-ready units at scale.

Adaptive Manufacturers:

• Operate established or emerging smart factories capable of scaling throughput from tens to hundreds or thousands of units per year.

• Showcase agile, AI-enabled, or software-defined production methods (e.g., CNC automation, additive manufacturing, digital twins).

• Emphasize cost-efficient, domestic, and responsive production capacity.

• Target Tier 3 and Tier 4 assemblies or components where scale and speed are critical.

Disruptive Innovators:

• Bring novel technologies or processes that could redefine production economics (e.g., new materials, robotics, or design automation tools).

• Demonstrate a path to integration with larger production ecosystems via teaming with integrators or manufacturers.

• Highlight proof-of-concept or prototype performance showing transformative potential for space manufacturing readiness.

• Focus on Tier 4 and Tier 5 hardware and materials, such as rad-hard electronics, sensors, or propulsion subcomponents.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• All production must be domestic or via allied supply chains.

• Companies must comply with ITAR and DoD security requirements.

• Participants must be able to share and collaborate digitally throughout prototype phases.

• Defense integrators are required to team with selected commercial companies.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive solutions brief will take 50-75 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for the Solution Brief for $5000. Pitch & Full proposal quoted upon invitation.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

View the Solicitation Here.

CHIPS Research & Development Office (CRDO) Broad Agency Announcement

Executive Summary:

The CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO) at NIST is awarding at least $10 Million per award—via Other Transaction (OT) agreements—for research, prototyping, and commercialization projects that advance U.S. microelectronics, including work tied to AI, quantum, biotechnology/biomanufacturing, commercialization of innovation, and standards. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis which means companies should submit white papers ASAP. Receive a complimentary assessment to see if your company and project is a fit for this funding.

How much funding would I receive?

Budgets should be at least $10 million and reflect actual project needs. CRDO may fund only a portion of total costs and can fund multi-phase projects incrementally based on satisfactory progress, mission fit, and availability of funds. Awards are negotiated as OT agreements. Cost sharing is not required for all awards, though CRDO may choose to fund only part of a project.

What could I use the funding for?

Eligible activities include research, prototyping, and commercialization efforts that strengthen U.S. leadership and the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. Priority topic areas include:

• Semiconductors (e.g., advanced testing/assembly/packaging, next-gen devices and memory, design co-optimization, automation/AI in fabs, secure supply chains)

• Application of AI for advanced microelectronics R&D (e.g., compute efficiency, edge AI, cryogenic ops, fab acceleration)

• Application of quantum technology (e.g., scalable quantum computing, quantum networks/sensing, domestic production of quantum hardware)

• Application of biotechnology/biomanufacturing for microelectronics (e.g., bioelectronics, implantable devices, scaling domestic bio-electronics manufacturing)

• Commercialization of innovations (e.g., adopting and commercializing federally funded discoveries, including through consortia)

• Standards development (e.g., quantum manufacturing, data/design/provenance/security standards).

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving a CHIPS R&D Office (CRDO) award:

• Government Validation and Credibility:
  Being selected by NIST’s CRDO signals strong technical credibility and alignment with national semiconductor priorities. That stamp of approval often accelerates partnerships with OEMs, primes, and investors who trust government-vetted innovation.

• Enhanced Market Visibility and Notoriety:
  Award recipients frequently receive public recognition in federal announcements, CHIPS R&D Office communications, and industry press. This visibility helps position your company as a trusted, strategic player in the microelectronics ecosystem.

• Ecosystem Access and Collaboration Opportunities:
  CRDO-funded projects are part of a national innovation network—creating opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers, manufacturers, and other awardees. Such access can unlock supply chain partnerships and future contracting opportunities.

• Stronger Exit and Acquisition Potential:
  By maturing technology under nondilutive support and demonstrating government-backed validation, recipients often achieve greater value at exit—especially when positioning for acquisition by larger defense, semiconductor, or AI hardware firms.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Applications (beginning with a required White Paper) are accepted on a rolling basis through September 30, 2029 via Grants.gov. If a White Paper shows sufficient merit and relevance, CRDO may invite a Pre-negotiation Package (detailed technical and cost proposal). Awards are made on a rolling basis as packages are evaluated and terms are finalized. A specific funding disbursement date is not specified. Maximum project period is up to 5 years.

Where does this funding come from?

U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST—through the CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO)—under authority including 15 U.S.C. § 4656 and related CHIPS R&D statutes/policies. Assistance Listing: 11.042 CHIPS R&D.

Who is eligible to apply?

Domestic entities only: for-profit organizations, non-profits, accredited higher-education institutions, FFRDCs, and Federal entities (with conditions). Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible. Subawardees may include the above and foreign partners not otherwise prohibited, subject to security and other requirements.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects that:

• Advance national and economic security and U.S. technology leadership by strengthening domestic semiconductor supply chains and workforce

• Demonstrate strong scientific/technical merit with clear deliverables

• Show feasibility (experienced team, realistic costs, risk mitigation)

• Have credible commercial viability (market demand, transition plan)

• Show financial viability (sound capex, financial health, credible capital plan).

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Domestic production and control of IP: Foreign entities can apply but should develop and own the IP in the US.

• Security restrictions: no funds to foreign entities of concern; compliance with research security disclosures; prohibition on malign foreign talent recruitment programs

• CRDO may require return-on-investment instruments (e.g., equity, warrants, IP licenses, royalties/revenue sharing)

• Scope: general AI projects not directly tied to advanced microelectronics R&D are out of scope

• Reporting: financial, performance, and/or technical reports are required.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission under this BAA will likely take 120–180 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under CHIPS R&D initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our support is available at $300 per hour, with most CRDO proposal projects requiring 80–100 hours of expert support from strategy through submission.

For non-VC backed startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

• Webinar - How to Win $10M for R&D from the New CHIPS CRDO BAA

• View Solicitation on Grants.Gov