National Science Foundation (NSF) 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 program provides non-dilutive funding to U.S.-based startups and small businesses developing high-risk, high-impact technologies with strong commercial potential. NSF states it funds “nearly everything from biotechnology to wireless communications to quantum to semiconductors.” Companies begin by submitting a required Project Pitch to determine fit with the program before being invited to submit a full proposal.

The NSF SBIR/STTR program looks forward to receiving the submission of new Project Pitches in response to the new solicitations beginning on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Full proposal submission deadlines are:

• July 27 2026

• November 4 2026

• March 4 2027

Proposal submission is due by 5:00 PM submitter’s time on the specified due date.

NSF emphasizes that the program is intended for technologies requiring substantial high-risk R&D and not “straightforward engineering or incremental product development tasks.” The process is highly competitive, with historical NSF SBIR/STTR Phase I funding rates between 10% and 20%.

How much funding would I receive?

If your proposal is awarded, NSF states you may receive:

• Up to $305,000 for a Phase I award.

• Up to $1,250,000 over two years for a Phase II award.

The solicitation materials provided do not specify award minimums, matching requirements, or the number of anticipated awards.

What could I use the funding for?

NSF states funding is intended for:

• High-risk research and development

• Deep technologies

• Foundational science and engineering innovations

• New products, services, and scalable solutions

• Technologies with strong commercial potential and societal impact

The program specifically supports technologies that:

• Require substantial technical innovation

• Address significant societal or national problems

• Create sustainable competitive advantages

• Demonstrate meaningful market pull and scalability

NSF explicitly states it does not fund:

• Straightforward engineering

• Incremental product development tasks

Areas of Interest

• Advanced Manufacturing (M)

  The Advanced Manufacturing topic aims to support emerging innovations in manufacturing with the potential to stimulate the nation’s manufacturing sector by improving efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability. Proposals should be driven by a foundational technology that significantly advances the way products are made. This can include, but is not exclusive to, technologies in new manufacturing processes, equipment, automation, modeling, and materials/minerals.

  Sub-Topics

  M1. Building and Infrastructure
  M2. Carbon Sequestration
  M3. Cybermanufacturing
  M4. Distributed Manufacturing
  M5. Ecomanufacturing
  M6. Modeling and Simulation
  M7. Natural Resources and Critical Minerals
  M8. Quantum Device Manufacturing
  M9. Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing
  M10. Other Manufacturing Technologies

• Advanced Materials (AM)

  The Advanced Materials topic addresses the development of new and improved materials for a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. Proposals may focus on the creation of innovative material systems and/or on critical fabrication, processing or manufacturing challenges involved in the successful demonstration and commercialization of novel advanced materials. A broad range of applications areas will be considered as part of this topic.

  Sub-Topics

  AM1. Advanced Engineering Materials
  AM2. Coatings and Surface Modifications
  AM3. Metals and Ceramics
  AM4. Novel Advanced Materials-based Sensors
  AM5. Structural and Infrastructural Materials
  AM6. Other Advanced Materials Technologies

• Advanced Systems for Scalable Analytics (AA)

  The Advanced Systems for Scalable Analytics topic focuses on innovations needed for building systems that organize and process large and ever-increasing volumes of structured, semi-structured and unstructured data to reveal actionable new insights. It also includes innovative knowledge management and data mining technologies that complement deep learning. Sample topics include data and knowledge management technologies for data acquisition, integration, annotation, governance and provenance; hardware and software for addressing the performance needs of analytical systems; technologies for continual learning in dynamic environments; technologies in data mining, visualization and optimization; and marketplaces for data and models.
  
  These subtopics are only meant to serve as examples. All proposals focused on the development of a new high-risk technical innovation and significant potential commercial and societal impact are welcome to apply, regardless of subtopic.

  Sub-Topics

  AA1. Building Analytical System for Learning from Dynamic Environments
  AA2. Data Mining, Machine Learning (Non-deep learning-based), and Reinforcement Learning
  AA3. Decision Support and Optimization
  AA4. Knowledge and Data Management Technologies
  AA5. Marketplaces for Data and Models
  AA6. Novel Visualization Technologies
  AA7. Software Technologies for Scalable Analytical Systems
  AA8. Other Novel Technologies

• Agricultural Technologies (AG)

  The Agricultural Technologies topic supports innovations enabling farm production ecosystems that support the proper utilization of natural resources. Such technologies may encompass systems-level and multidisciplinary solutions to enable complex agricultural practices that support increased biodiversity balanced with yield production.

  Sub-Topics

  AG1. Agroforestry
  AG2. Expanding Access to Farming
  AG3. Food Waste Mitigation
  AG4. Harvesting Complex Systems
  AG5. Improved Resilience through Interspecies Interchange
  AG6. Nature-based Solutions
  AG7. Polyculture Systems
  AG8. Precision Agriculture
  AG9. Resilient Supply & Distribution
  AG10. Other Agricultural Technologies

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  The Artificial Intelligence topic focuses on cutting-edge technologies in the field of deep learning-based AI systems and AI-based hardware. The recent successes in computer vision, machine translation, natural-language processing and speech recognition have led to widespread use of learning-based systems in production and an unprecedented growth in AI systems that interact frequently with and/or on behalf of humans in highly personalized contexts. This topic especially emphasizes next-generation AI technologies that are not only safe and reliable but also fair, robust against sophisticated adversaries, privacy preserving, and efficient in terms of computational resources, energy, training data size, etc. It also includes cutting-edge hardware technologies needed for sustainable AI (i.e., novel devices and architectures to support the tremendous processing power needed by AI technologies), edge devices (i.e., intelligent systems on a chip for applications such as voice assistants) and AI technologies that lead to better hardware systems.
  
  These subtopics are only meant to serve as examples. All proposals that are focused on developing a new high-risk technical innovation and that have significant potential commercial and societal impact are welcome to apply, regardless of subtopic.  

  Sub-Topics

  AI1. Cognitive Science-based Technologies
  AI2. Computer Vision Based AI Technologies
  AI3. Conversational AI Technologies
  AI4. Language-Based AI Technologies
  AI5. Novel AI Hardware Technologies (e.g. Neuromorphic Computing, High-performance Technologies for AI, Smart and Secure Edge Devices, etc.)
  AI6. Sustainable AI Technologies for Low Resource Environments
  AI7. Technologies for Trustworthy AI (safe, fair, transparent, privacy-preserving, explainable, and/or secure)
  AI8. Other Novel Technologies

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

  The Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality (AR/VR/MR) topic aims to support entrepreneurs and startups at the earliest stages of development of innovative, differentiated and novel hardware/software that can create shared experiences to translate research-based insights into commercializable opportunities for scalable, real-world application.
  
  Technologies in this portfolio include those applying AI in education or workforce development, training tools, upskilling an aging workforce, improving health and wellbeing, as well as technologies as an enabling platform to deliver shared experiences, virtual collaboration, and experiential learning.

  Sub-Topics

  AV1. Differentiated Hardware Technologies for AR/VR/MR
  AV2. Differentiated Software Technologies for AR/VR/MR
  AV3. UI/UX for Immersive AR/VR/MR
  AV4. Advanced Analytics for Collaboration in AR/VR/MR
  AV5. Other Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Technologies

• Biological Technologies (BT)

  The Biological Technologies topic covers a wide range of technology areas to advance engineering and science innovation across the biological spectrum. Biological technologies have disrupted decades-old chemical, agricultural and medical products and services, producing a new bioeconomy. Potential breakthroughs in this space are on course to make major socioeconomic contributions by boosting productivity in industrial and agricultural processes, improving human health, and making advances toward environmental sustainability.
  
  Proposed projects should be focused on using or modifying living organisms, systems or biological processes to develop new technologies to produce biochemicals and medical and agricultural products. They may involve bioengineering to improve function in molecules, cells and tissues in humans, plants, animals and microbes. NSF also encourages proposals for enabling new technologies, such as new tools for genomics, proteomics and drug discovery; instruments for biological applications; computational and bioinformatic tools; and new manufacturing technologies for cells, tissues, organs and biologics (with the exception of clinical trials and schedule I substances).
  
  Subtopics are not aimed at supporting or conducting clinical trials, clinical efficacy or safety studies, the development pre-clinical or clinical-stage drug candidates or medical devices, or work performed primarily for regulatory purposes. Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable to the extent that they are performed in support of feasibility, such as proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies. Proposals that request support for clinical studies will be deemed noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.

  Sub-Topics

  BT1. Animal Biotechnology
  BT2. Aquaculture
  BT3. Bio-Inspired Technologies
  BT4. Bioinstruments and Biosensors
  BT5. Cell and Tissue Engineering
  BT6. Fermentation
  BT7. Life Science Research Tools
  BT8. Microbiome and Microbial Diversity
  BT9. Plant Biotechnology
  BT10. Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering
  BT11. Other Biological Technologies

• Biomedical Technologies (BM)

  The Biomedical Technologies topic aims to support the early-stage development of novel products, processes or services that will enable the delivery of high-quality, economically efficient healthcare.
  
  Subtopics are not aimed at supporting or conducting clinical trials, clinical efficacy or safety studies, the development pre-clinical or clinical-stage drug candidates or medical devices, or work performed primarily for regulatory purposes. Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable to the extent that they are performed in support of feasibility, such as proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies. Proposals that request support for clinical studies will be deemed noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.
  

  Sub-Topics

  BM1. Diagnostics
  BM2. Drug Delivery Methods
  BM3. Materials for Biomedical Applications
  BM4. Medical Imaging
  BM5. Monitoring Devices
  BM6. Other Biomedical Technologies

• Chemical Technologies (CT)

  The Chemical Technologies topic covers a wide range of technology areas of current and emerging commercial significance to many areas, including the broad chemical industry; food processing and technology; agrochemicals; chemical alternatives and organics; green chemicals; water treatment and separations; advanced catalysts and materials; and biochemicals. Sensing, data and advanced analytics technologies relevant to these fields are also appropriate for this topic area. Beyond improvement on technical specifications, it is important to also clearly identify the competitive landscape of what is currently possible and why the proposed innovation will have an impact commercially and/or from a societal benefit standpoint.

  Sub-Topics

  CT1. Biochemicals
  CT2. Catalysts, Advanced Chemicals and Materials
  CT3. Chemical and Environmental Sensing and Data
  CT4. Food Processing, Chemicals and Agriculture
  CT5. Green Chemicals and Chemical Alternatives
  CT6. Separations and Water Treatment
  CT7. Other Chemical Technologies

• Cloud and High-Performance Computing (CH)

  The Cloud and High-Performance Computing (HPC) topic focuses on innovations that result in substantial improvements to cloud computing or high-performance computing platforms. These improvements may be to computing power and efficiency, energy management, data storage, latency, data integrity and availability, cost, or any other factor of importance in such platforms, and may result from software- or hardware-based innovations. These subtopic areas are meant to serve as examples; all proposals with technical innovation and significant commercial potential are welcome, regardless of the specific area of focus of the project.

  Sub-Topics

  CH1. Algorithms and Applications
  CH2. Computational Architecture
  CH3. Convergence of AI and Cloud/HPC
  CH4. Edge Computing
  CH5. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
  CH6. In-memory Processing
  CH7. Interconnects
  CH8. Middleware
  CH9. Performance Monitoring
  CH10. Processing on Encrypted Data
  CH11. Processor Architecture and Design
  CH12. Resilience and Resource Management
  CH13. Other Cloud and High-Performance Computing Technologies

• Cybersecurity and Authentication (CA)

  The Cybersecurity and Authentication topic focuses on innovations related to the security and integrity of data and data processing and the authentication of people and devices. These subtopic areas are meant to serve as examples; all proposals with technical innovation and significant commercial potential are welcome, regardless of the specific area of focus of the project.

  Sub-Topics

  CA1. Computation on Encrypted Data
  CA2. Cryptography, including Post-quantum Cryptography
  CA3. Data Privacy and Integrity
  CA4. Device Authentication
  CA5. Distributed Ledger
  CA6. Encryption, including Homomorphic Encryption
  CA7. Network and Device Security
  CA8. Personal Authentication
  CA9. Secure and Trusted Computing
  CA10. Secure Machine-to-Machine Communication
  CA11. Security of Cloud and High Performance Computing (HPC) Platforms
  CA12. Other Cybersecurity and Authentication Technologies

• Digital Health (DH)

  The Digital Health topic aims to support entrepreneurs and startups at the earliest-stages of development of innovative, differentiated and novel technologies that aim to improve physical or mental wellbeing or health, enable or assist individuals to increase or regain independence and quality of life and improve the delivery of healthcare including efficiency, reducing cost or improving outcomes.
  
  Technologies in this portfolio include those applying AI in healthcare or general wellness (medical image analysis, personalized medicine, EHR/EMR, Clinical decision support, Computer aided diagnostics, support or therapy, smart/connected medical devices) as well as technologies that enable or provide assistance to aging or disabled populations and individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

  Sub-Topics

  DH1. Assistive, Enabling and Rehabilitative technologies
  DH2. AI in healthcare and drug discovery
  DH3. Healthcare Workflow, Economics and Delivery
  DH4. Medical Diagnostics and Devices
  DH5. Physical, Mental and Behavioral Health
  DH6. Other Digital Health Technologies

• Emerging Technologies (EM)

  Breakthroughs at the edge of science and engineering are reshaping industries, redefining human capabilities, and creating new market spaces. The Emerging Technologies topic within the NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program is designed for startups working on transformative innovations that defy conventional classifications — pioneering discoveries that could set the stage for the next technological revolution.
  

  This topic is for radical, high-risk ideas that leverage deep science and engineering to push beyond existing limitations. Proposals should introduce disruptive, category-defining solutions that may not fit within traditional NSF topic areas but have the potential to create entirely new industries or fundamentally alter how we interact with the world.
  

  Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Post-Silicon Computation & Intelligent Systems: Quantum logic, molecular computing or bio-inspired artificial intelligence architectures

  • Matter & Machines at the Extreme: Self-assembling nanostructures, programmable materials, or biohybrid robotic systems that blur the lines between biology and engineering

  • Living Technologies & Engineered Evolution: Synthetic biology innovations that harness evolution to create self-improving therapeutics, biocomputers, or sustainable biomaterials

  • Radical Energy & Resilient Earth Innovations: Zero-point energy exploration, deep-space resource utilization, or engineered photosynthesis for planetary-scale impact

  • Cognition & Human Augmentation: Direct brain-machine integration, digital telepathy, or neuroplasticity-enhancing interfaces that redefine intelligence

  • Unconventional Sensing & Interaction: Quantum sensors, femtosecond imaging, or technologies enabling new dimensions of perception If your startup is pioneering a new technological paradigm, building something that did not exist before, and pushing the limits of what's possible, the Emerging Technologies topic is your opportunity to secure early-stage funding for world-changing innovation.

  Sub-Topics

  EM1. Emerging Technologies

• Environmental Technologies (ET)

  Environmental Technologies covers a variety of areas of current and emerging commercial significance including environmental sensing, data, and advanced analytics. Please highlight any aspects of the proposed technology or approach that address a problem without a current solution, or one which is underdeveloped.

  Sub-Topics

  ET1. Conservation, Adaptation and Restoration
  ET2. Digital Ecosystem for the Environment
  ET3. Emission or Waste Reduction and the Circular Economy
  ET4. Food, Regenerative Agriculture, and Energy
  ET5. Measurement
  ET6. Resiliency
  ET7. Sustainable Community Systems
  ET8. Water Treatment, Resilience, and Sanitation
  ET9. Other Environmental Technologies

• Human-Computer Interaction (HC)

  The Human-Computer Interaction (HC) topic aims to support entrepreneurs and startups at the earliest stages of development of innovative, differentiated and novel HCI in the context of domains, such as health, education, families, or work to design new computing systems to amplify humans’ physical, cognitive, and social capabilities which translate research-based insights into commercializable opportunities for scalable, real-world application.
  
  Technologies in this portfolio include multimedia and multimodal interfaces, such as haptic, tangible, gestural, spatial, and wearable; brain-computer interfaces; intelligent and interactive user interfaces; affective computing; human state estimation involving interaction; and methods for interaction with artificial intelligence. This topic includes commercialization of computational methods and systems for creating and authoring video, audio, textual, visual, and multimedia forms in support of creative expression and ideation and includes technology-supported human-to-human communication and systems which foster innovation and dismantle barriers to scientific progress in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the development of information, interaction, networks, systems, and other forms of computation in response to human needs, desires, and intentions.

  Sub-Topics

  HC1. Multimedia and Multimodal Interfaces
  HC2. HC Computational Methods and Systems
  HC3. Smart Integrated Systems
  HC4. Human-to-Human Communication Systems via Technology
  HC5. Other Human-Computer Interaction Technologies

• Instrumentation and Hardware Systems (IH)

  The Instrumentation and Hardware Systems topic addresses the research and development of new and improved instrumentation and related systems for a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. Proposals in this topic may deal with new instruments for use in scientific, industrial, engineering or manufacturing environments, among others. Systems and tools designed for the purposes of detection, manipulation, characterization, measurement, processing, control or monitoring will be considered. A wide variety of applications areas will be considered as part of this topic.

  Sub-Topics

  IH1. Instrumentation or Hardware Systems for Actuation, Control, and Manipulation
  IH2. Instrumentation or Hardware Systems for Detection and Characterization
  IH3. Instrumentation or Hardware Systems for Imaging
  IH4. Other Instrumentation or Hardware Systems Technologies

• Internet of Things (I)

  The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly evolving field that involves the interconnection and interaction of smart objects (objects or devices with embedded sensors, onboard data processing capability, and a means of communication) to provide automated services that would otherwise not be possible. IoT is not a single technology, but rather involves the convergence of sensor, actuator, information and communication technologies. Emerging IoT implementations will use smaller and more energy-efficient embedded sensor technologies, more sophisticated actuators, enhanced communications and advanced data analytics to collect and aggregate information. These new tools will enable intelligent systems that understand context, track and manage complex interactions and anticipate requirements. Market verticals that are potentially impacted by innovations in this area include connected cities and homes, smart transportation, smart agriculture, industrial IoT, and retail IoT.

  Sub-Topics

  I1. IoT Communications
  I2. IoT Integrated Systems
  I3. IoT Sensors and Actuators
  I4. Networking
  I5. Other IoT Technologies

• Learning and Cognition Technologies (LC)

  The Learning and Cognitions Technologies topic aims to support entrepreneurs and startups at the earliest stages of development of innovative, differentiated and novel innovations which disrupt educational norms, challenge conventional methods of content delivery and workforce development with measurable results while remaining firmly anchored in foundational research. They equip individuals for success in emerging industries and undefined roles, bridging the gap between established curricula and the swiftly evolving knowledge landscape.
  
  Technologies in this portfolio include those applying AI in education or workforce development, training tools, upskilling an aging workforce, improving health and wellbeing, as well as technologies as an enabling platform to deliver innovative approaches to learning and cognition development which leverage groundbreaking technological advancements rooted in research.
  
  Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable to the extent that they are performed in support of feasibility, such as proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies. Proposals that request support for clinical studies will be deemed noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.

  Sub-Topics

  LC1. Advanced Learning Technologies
  LC2. Workforce Development and Upskilling
  LC3. Advanced Analytics for Learning and Cognition
  LC4. Innovative Approaches to Multimodal Learning
  LC5. Other Learning and Cognition Technologies

• Medical Devices (MD)

  The Medical Devices topic aims to develop novel medical device platforms, introduce innovative medical technologies or translate emerging scientific principles into health practice. Proposals should be considered leading edge innovations, typically based on a discovery, new approach or new scientific principle to medical devices or technologies.
  
  Limited human subject clinical studies may be acceptable if they are performed in support of feasibility or proof-of-concept objectives. The program does not support proposals to conduct clinical trials for sample size calculations, statistically demonstrate safety or efficacy or the development of pre-clinical or clinical-stage drug candidates. Clinical work performed primarily for regulatory purposes or post market surveillance are also not allowed. Proposals requesting support for clinical trials are noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitation and returned without review.

  Sub-Topics

  MD1. Diagnostic Imaging or Monitoring
  MD2. General Medical Devices
  MD3. Implantable
  MD4. Manufacturing Processes or Prototyping Methods
  MD5. Materials (non biological)
  MD6. Procedural Technologies or Visualization
  MD7. Rehabilitation
  MD8. Wearables
  MD9. Women's Health

• Mobility (MO)

  The Mobility topic encourages novel innovations in the land, air, and sea-based movement of goods and people that improve sustainability and resiliency. Proposals responsive to this topic may include technical breakthroughs that address infrastructure and flow issues in global, urban and rural environments. Interdisciplinary and collaborative innovations to address multiple mobility grand challenges are welcome. All proposed innovations must be capable of a sustainable business model.

  Sub-Topics

  MO1. Traffic Congestion and Routing
  MO2. Safety and Navigation
  MO3. Disaster Resilience 
  MO4. Efficiency
  MO5. Supply Chain Transparency and Security
  MO6. Labor Shortages
  MO7. Accessibility
  MO8. Other Mobility Topics

• Nanotechnology (N)

  The Nanotechnology topic addresses the creation and manipulation of functional materials, devices and systems with novel properties that are achieved through the control of matter at a submicroscopic scale (from a fraction of nanometer to about 100 nanometers). This includes, but is not limited to, innovative hierarchical nanostructures, nanolayered structures, nanowires, nanotubes, quantum dots, nanoparticles, nanofibers and other nanomaterials and biomaterials and their composite structures.

  Sub-Topics

  N1. Nanomanufacturing

• Other Topics (OT)

  For projects that do not seem to fit into one of the other technology topic areas, but still meet the NSF SBIR/STTR goals of supporting research and development of deep technology with commercial viability and the potential to benefit society, please pick Other Topics and subtopic OT1. Project pitches and proposals submitted to Other Topics are typically transferred and reviewed in the topic area that best matches the underlying technical innovation. The program does not reject Project Pitches or proposals based on a non-ideal choice of topic areas. The program routinely moves Project Pitches or proposals internally among topic areas that seem to best describe the underlying technical innovation and to ensure the right program officer and reviewer panel sees the project.

  Sub-Topics

  OT1. Other Topics

• Pharmaceutical Technologies (PT)

  The Pharmaceutical Technologies topic covers a wide range of technology areas that advance the discovery, formulation, and manufacture of novel drugs, moieties, compounds, products, processes, platforms or services that will improve the selection, quality or price of pharmaceutical and biologic therapies.
  
  The Pharmaceutical Technologies topic is not aimed at supporting or conducting clinical trials, clinical efficacy and safety studies, the development of pre-clinical or clinical-stage drug candidates, work on medical devices or schedule I substances, or work performed primarily for regulatory purposes. Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable if they are performed in support of feasibility, proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies and must follow NSF policies on research on human subjects. Proposals that request support for clinical studies are noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.
  
  The NSF SBIR/STTR program no longer supports the development of specific therapeutic molecules. Drug Discovery and Manufacturing are still supported by the program.
  
  Subtopics are not aimed at supporting clinical trials, the clinical validation of information technologies, or medical devices or studies performed primarily for regulatory purposes. Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable to the extent that they are performed in support of feasibility, such as proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies. Proposals that request support for clinical studies will be deemed noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.

  Sub-Topics

  PT1. Drug Discovery
  PT2. Pharmaceutical and Biologic Manufacturing
  PT3. Other Pharmaceutical Technologies

• Photonics (PH)

  The Photonics topic addresses the research and development of new materials, devices, components, and systems that have the potential for revolutionary change in the optics and photonics industries. Photonic technologies can include anything generally operating in or using photons in the electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma rays down to long radio waves. Examples include lasers, various light emitting diode technologies (LED, OLED, QLED), radiation detectors, photonic integrated circuits, optical systems and novel communications technologies.

  Sub-Topics

  PH1. Advanced Metrology and Sensors
  PH2. Advanced Optical Components and Systems
  PH3. Communications, Information, and Data Storage
  PH4. Lighting and Displays
  PH5. Photonic Devices
  PH6. Photonic Energy Conversion
  PH7. Photonic Materials
  PH8. Photonic Metamaterials and Plasmonics
  PH9. Quantum Optics and Nanophotonics
  PH10. Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits
  PH11. Other Photonics Technologies

• Power Management (PM)

  The Power Management topic address the development of novel technologies that enable new power and thermal management solutions. Innovations supported could range from device-scale breakthroughs to embedded or standalone systems or grid-scale technologies.

  Sub-Topics

  PM1. Energy Harvesting Devices and Systems
  PM2. Materials and Devices for Power Electronics
  PM3. Materials and Devices for Thermal Management
  PM4. Novel Power and Thermal Management Sensors
  PM5. Power Electronics Circuits and Control Systems
  PM6. Power Management Infrastructure and Smart Grid Systems
  PM7. Systems for Thermal Management
  PM8. Other Power Management Technologies

• Quantum Information Technologies (QT)

  This topic focuses on innovations in information and communications technologies that rely fundamentally on quantum mechanical properties and interactions. Typically, such innovations will involve the generation, detection, or manipulation of quantum states to provide faster, more efficient or more secure information processing and communications. Proposals may include innovations at the component, sub-system or system level that result in substantial and usable improvements in the generation, transmission, detection, storage or processing of information, or the security and privacy of information. Proposed innovations must offer the potential for robustness, reliability, scalability and operation at temperatures that are practical within the constraints of the intended application. Innovations at the component and sub-system level should aim for compactness and energy efficiency, consistent with the requirements of the application.
  
  Examples of technology innovations in the quantum computing subtopic could include qubit generation and detection, development of computational models (quantum circuits, etc.), error correction, software, hardware sub-systems and systems and Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers. Examples of technology innovations in the quantum communications subtopic could include components such as sources, memories, repeaters, detectors, hardware sub-systems and systems, networks, cryptography and key distribution.

  Sub-Topics

  QT1. Quantum Algorithms
  QT2. Quantum Communications
  QT3. Quantum Computing
  QT4. Quantum Sensing and Metrology
  QT5. Quantum Simulation
  QT6. Other Quantum Information Technologies

• Robotics (R)

  The Robotics topic covers robot intelligence and experiential learning, particularly in the areas of high-performance processors or hardware that provides situational awareness and improved artificial intelligence. Innovations in voice, obstacle and image recognition, emotional response and hand-eye coordination are encouraged. We encourage proposals describing projects that borrow features from other animal nervous systems and include biologists, neuroscientists and psychologists on their team to exploit new knowledge in the study of the brain and behavior.
  
  NSF also seeks proposals that address next-generation automation; the flexible and rapid reconfiguration of assembly lines allowing mass customization; the use of advanced control, scheduling, modularization, and decentralization with agile, mobile robotic systems that can enable the cost-effective manufacture of small lot-size products; and on-demand parts manufacturing.
  
  Proposals to support the physical and educational needs of individuals with disabilities (e.g., vision, hearing, cognitive, motor related) are sought. Robotic applications in healthcare, smart drones and drone networks are appropriate. Medical devices focused on providing new capabilities to doctors including surgery; robotic exoskeletons to enhance human strength; personal robots with an emphasis on human-centered end use and interaction, personal caregiving and increased autonomy; future of work; flying taxis; reverse engineering the human brain; robot sense, motion, thought, and emotion; human-robot art; and robots of augmentation are welcome.
  
  Subtopics are not aimed at supporting or conducting clinical trials, clinical efficacy or safety studies, the development pre-clinical or clinical-stage drug candidates or medical devices, or work performed primarily for regulatory purposes. Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable to the extent that they are performed in support of feasibility, such as proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies. Proposals that request support for clinical studies will be deemed noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.

  Sub-Topics

  R1. Human Assistive Technologies and Bio-related Robotics
  R2. Human-Machine Interfaces and Control/Architecture
  R3. Robotic Applications
  R4. Robotics in Agile Manufacturing, and Co-Robots
  R5. Underground or Underwater Robotics for Low-Visibility, Poor-Connectivity or Hidden Topography
  R6. Other Robotics Technologies

• Semiconductors (S)

  The Semiconductors topic addresses the research and development of new designs, materials, devices and manufacturing systems that have the potential for impactful change in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry.

  Sub-Topics

  S1. Electronic Devices
  S2. Electronic Materials
  S3. Integrated Circuit Design
  S4. Microelectronics Packaging and Systems Integration
  S5. Novel Semiconductor-based Sensors
  S6. Processing and Metrology Technology
  S7. Sustainable Semiconductor Manufacturing
  S8. Wide Bandgap Power Devices and Materials
  S9. Other Semiconductor Technologies

• Space (SP)

  The Space topic seeks transformative technologies to create solutions for sustainable space exploration, habitation or industrialization that could also have a positive impact on human lives.
  
  Applicants should address known capability gaps for enabling technologies for the space or terrestrial industries. Proposals in this area may focus upon launch vehicles or satellite and vehicle propulsion systems, in-space research or manufacturing systems and services, human sustainability, spaceflight or exploration infrastructure, data processing and communication technologies, orbital servicing, asteroid mining and microgravity applications.

  Sub-Topics

  SP1. Launch vehicles and propulsion
  SP2. Satellite technology
  SP3. Spaceflight infrastructure
  SP4. Data and communication
  SP5. In space services and production
  SP6. Human viability and sustainability

• Wireless Technologies (W)

  The Wireless topic involves next-generation wireless communication technologies requiring systems with high data rates, low costs and that support a wide variety of applications and services while maintaining full mobility, minimum latency, and long battery life. Devices and subsystems that increase data throughput rates via cell density; increased spectrum; multiple input, multiple output (MIMO); and new “antenna” concepts are encouraged. NSF welcomes proposals involving modulation and demodulation techniques for signal generation and reception through spectral efficiency, noise immunity, jamming immunity, and power efficiency; radio frequency (RF) pollution: devices and circuits; processing algorithms/3D spatial control; and high efficiency devices such as micro-TWT (traveling-wave tube), smart dust and inductive couplers. NSF seeks proposals in the areas of spectrum-related research and development activities that improve the efficiency by which the radio spectrum is used, and the ability of all members of the public to access spectrum-related services. Mobile and automotive radar, smart solar panels, on-panel DC-AC converters, openRAN (Radio Access Networks)-related devices and applications and self-testing and self-networking devices are also of interest.

  Sub-Topics

  W1. Communication and Networking Technologies
  W2. Networked Sensors and Sensing
  W3. Wireless Devices and Components
  W4. Wireless Systems
  W5. Other Wireless Technologies

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Additional benefits described in the solicitation materials include:

• Access to external technical and commercialization reviewers

• Feedback from NSF experts and review panels

• Eligibility for supplemental funding opportunities after Phase II

• Ability to apply for additional NSF funding after successful Phase I progress

NSF also notes that access to most Phase I award funds occurs at the time of award notification.

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

Application process timeline:

1. Complete the Project Pitch Assessment

2. Submit a required Project Pitch

3. Receive a response from NSF in approximately 1–2 months

4. If invited, submit a full proposal

5. Undergo proposal review and due diligence

6. Receive funding decision approximately 5–7 months after proposal submission deadline

Full proposal submission deadlines are:

• July 27 2026

• November 4 2026

• March 4 2027

Proposal submission is due by 5:00 PM submitter’s time on the specified due date.

NSF states:

• Proposal review occurs approximately 1–3 months after submission

• Additional due diligence may occur approximately 3–5 months after submission

• Funding decisions occur approximately 5–7 months after submission

Where does this funding come from?

The funding comes from:

• The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

• America’s Seed Fund

• NSF SBIR/STTR programs

The solicitation references:

• NSF 26-510: Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs SBIR/STTR: Developing Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security

• NSF 26-511: Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs: A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible, companies must:

• Be a small business with fewer than 500 employees

• Be located in the United States

• Have at least 50% ownership by U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• Perform all funded work in the United States

• Employ a Principal Investigator (PI) at least 20 hours per week

• Have the PI commit at least one month (173 hours) of work per six months of project duration

NSF states it does not fund:

• Companies majority-owned by multiple venture capital firms

• Companies majority-owned by private equity firms

• Companies majority-owned by hedge funds

The PI does not need advanced degrees.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

NSF states it looks for companies and projects with:

• Strong technological innovation

• High-risk, unproven R&D

• Significant societal or national impact

• Sustainable competitive advantages

• Commercial potential and market pull

• Scalable business opportunities

• Technically qualified and commercially motivated teams

NSF specifically evaluates:

• Intellectual Merit

• Broader Impacts

• Commercial Impact

The solicitation materials state that proposals are reviewed by external technical and commercialization experts in addition to NSF program staff.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Important restrictions and requirements include:

• Only one Project Pitch per submission deadline is allowed

• Companies with a pending Project Pitch, Open Invitation, or proposal under review must wait before submitting another Project Pitch

• All funded work, including consultant and contractor work, must occur in the United States

• SAM registration is required before proposal submission

• SAM registration can take up to three weeks to complete

• Proposal submission is due by 5:00 PM submitter’s time on the specified due date

NSF also notes that:

• An invitation to submit a proposal does not guarantee funding

• Historical Phase I funding rates have been between 10% and 20%

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation materials do not specify a required preparation timeline.

However, NSF states:

• Writing a full proposal requires a “significant investment of time and effort”

• Companies should begin registration processes “as soon as possible”

• SAM registration can take up to three weeks

• Research.gov registration can take up to 48 hours

The application process includes:

• Completing a Project Pitch

• Receiving NSF feedback

• Preparing a full proposal if invited

• Completing multiple federal registrations

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help companies:

• Assess fit with NSF SBIR/STTR evaluation criteria

• Develop a compelling Project Pitch

• Position the technical innovation and commercial potential clearly

• Draft and manage the full NSF proposal process

• Prepare commercialization and market positioning content

• Coordinate registrations and submission workflows

• Improve competitiveness against NSF review criteria

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.

The National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research Program

Executive Summary:

The NIH, CDC, and FDA are jointly awarding up to $2.1 million per company through the SBIR Program to support U.S. small businesses developing innovative health, biomedical, and life science technologies. Companies can apply for Phase I (proof-of-concept), Phase II (R&D and commercialization), or Fast-Track awards. Applications are due on January 5th, April 5th, and September 5th each year, with funding typically beginning 9 months after submission. Companies should begin preparing applications at least 12 weeks before a due date to complete registrations and submission.

How much funding would I receive?

Awards provide up to $323,090 for Phase I projects (up to 2 years) and $2,153,927 for Phase II projects (up to 3 years). Some topics approved by NIH may exceed these limits. Fast-Track and Phase IIB (follow-on) options allow continuous or extended funding beyond Phase II.

What could I use the funding for?

Funds may support research and development toward a commercially viable product or service aligned with the missions of NIH, CDC, or FDA (see below). Eligible costs include personnel, materials, prototypes, testing, IP protection, and other R&D expenses. Phase II and IIB funds may also be used for scale-up, validation, regulatory preparation, and commercialization efforts. Click below to see the various areas of interest:

• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

  NCATS supports research including, but not limited to, clinical technology, instruments, devices, and related methodologies that may have broad application to clinical research and better patient care. Our interests are in four main categories

  (1) Preclinical Drug Discovery and Development

  (2) Biomedical, Clinical and Health Research Informatics

  (3) Clinical, Dissemination and Implementation Research

  (4) Rare Diseases and Unmet Needs.

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  The NCCIH will support applications on the development of technologies and therapies relevant to complementary and integrative approaches.

  Complementary health approaches include a broad range of practices and interventions that can be classified by their primary therapeutic input, including:

  • nutritional and natural products (e.g., special diets, dietary supplements, botanicals, probiotics, and microbial-based therapies),

  • psychological (e.g., meditation, hypnosis, music-based interventions, relaxation therapies),

  • physical (e.g., acupuncture, massage, chiropractic manipulation, other force-based manipulations, or devices related to these approaches), or

  • a combination of psychological and physical (e.g., yoga, tai chi, or some forms of art therapies, such as music-based interventions) input.

  Additionally, NCCIH will support applications that explore the impact of complementary and integrative health approaches on health promotion, resilience, and whole person health.

  Overall, NCCIH will support applications that include complementary and integrative health approaches, including multicomponent interventions that combine two or more complementary and integrative health approaches, or one or more complementary approaches integrated with one or more conventional care interventions. 

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  NCI supports the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by engaging domestic small business concerns in federal cancer research and development that has the potential for commercialization. 

• National Eye Institute (NEI)

  NEI supports research including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Commercializable research and clinical innovations in ophthalmology and vision sciences

  • Commercializable therapeutics including drugs, biologics, devices, or combination therapeutics that prevent or reduce blindness or improve ocular health

  •  Market-ready technologies and diagnostic tools for predicting, identifying, or monitoring eye diseases and vision-related conditions

  • Commercializable devices and services that assist people with blindness or visual impairments to improve quality of life Commercial-grade devices and support services that help individuals with blindness or vision impairments to improve and enhance their daily living experience

  • Market-ready technologies that correct, enhance, or augment human vision

• National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

  Interest Areas:

  • Significant innovations in genomic methods or technology development. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements in nucleic acid sequencing, synthetic nucleic acid synthesis, functional genomics, single cell genomic analysis, transcriptomics, multi-omics, instrumentation, or molecular kits. 

  • Tools and techniques that use genomics to improve patient health, such as approaches to incorporate genomic results into electronic medical records, clinical decision support tools, or genomic directed health care. 

  • Strategies to enhance ethical, legal, and social aspects of genomics research or translation of genomics into health care. 

  • Bioinformatics software or platforms for genomic, genetic, or sequence data processing or analysis, functional genomics, associations between genomic data and diseases or phenotypes, interpretation of variants, or genomic data integration into clinical decision making. 

  • Databases and data management platforms for genomics research and application including platforms for sequence, functional, or phenotypic data or annotation of variants. 

  • Development and application of methods for machine learning, pattern detection, or knowledge networks for genomics science or translation into health care. 

  • Informatics methods and platforms that adopt data standards, enhance data sharing with privacy, and improve data exchange in genomics science or translation of genomics into health care. 

  • Use of cloud and other computing models to improve scale, reproducibility, interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and utility of genomic and clinical data in genomics or translation into health care. 

  • Development of curriculum and educational opportunities that increase the genomics knowledge of participants at the undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, graduate, postdoctoral, or professional levels. 

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

  Interest Areas:

  The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is interested in supporting the development of novel therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, digital health technologies, research tools, and other innovative solutions for advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) diseases and disorders. 

  Topics of particular interest for the NHLBI SBIR/STTR program include, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

  • Technologies addressing HLBS complications relevant to maternal health and women’s health  

  • Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HLBS diseases and disorders 

  • Precision medicine approaches to treating HLBS diseases and disorders 

  • New approach methodologies, tools, and point-of-care technologies to improve detection and therapeutic development for HLBS diseases and disorders 

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  The NIA is interested in proposals to develop and validate technologies that enhance the health and wellbeing of older adults. Areas of high interest include technologies intended to address unmet needs and have clear competitive advantages, development of commercialized solutions that are cost-effective and widely available, and small businesses that are new to SBIR/STTR funding.

  Scientific areas of interest include but are not limited to:

  Alzheimer's Disease (AD), AD-Related Dementias (ADRD), and Age-Related Cognitive Decline:

  Development of innovative tools, technologies, and interventions to prevent, diagnose, treat, monitor, or slow progression of AD/ADRD, cognitive decline, age-related sleep disorders, and delirium, including:

  • Biomarkers, research tools, diagnostics, imaging technologies, and AI/ML methods for early detection and monitoring.

  • Treatments, including cell and gene therapies, exosome-based therapeutics, behavioral and digital interventions as well as other novel approaches.

  Aging Biology and Age-Related Diseases:

  Development of technologies, therapeutics, biomarkers, and tools to measure, prevent, treat, or slow progression of age-related biobehavioral decline and conditions, including:

  • Therapeutics targeting aging biology mechanisms and personalized medicine approaches.

  • Research tools and data science technologies to understand aging and predict health outcomes.

  Aging in Place of Choice and Care Delivery:

  Development of technologies and interventions that promote healthy aging, support aging in place of choice, improve care delivery, or reduce caregiving burden, including: 

  • Assistive devices, robotics, sensors, digital health products, and technologies to enhance care.

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

  Interest Areas:

  NIAAA-specific SBIR and STTR interests are tailored toward commercializing technologies that address the unique physiological, social, and clinical challenges of alcohol misuse.

  The NIAAA specifically encourages small business applications in the following high-priority areas:

  • Biosensors and Wearables: Developing non-invasive, wearable devices for real-time alcohol monitoring (e.g., transdermal sensors) that provide more accurate data than self-reporting for research and clinical use.

  • Digital Health and Telehealth: Creating mobile applications, AI-driven platforms, and software for the remote delivery of evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or recovery support services.

  • Pharmacotherapy Development: Advancing the discovery and testing of new medications to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), specifically focusing on those with commercial potential and lower side-effect profiles.

  • Diagnostic Tools and Biomarkers: Innovating point-of-care diagnostic tests and biological markers for early detection of alcohol-induced organ damage (liver, brain, heart) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

  • Advanced Data Analytics: Utilizing machine learning and big data tools to analyze large health datasets to predict relapse, identify high-risk drinking patterns, or personalize treatment plans.

  • Regulatory Support: Utilizing the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) to fund late-stage R&D, such as IND-enabling studies, manufacturing scale-up, or clinical trial verification required for FDA clearance.

  • Behavioral Interventions: Developing tools designed to improve treatment adherence, reduce stigma, or provide prevention and therapies to treat alcohol use disorder

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Interest Areas:

  The NIAID Small Business portfolio supports product development and commercialization in the areas of: 

  • The immune system, microbe biology, and host-microbe interactions, 

  • Diagnostic and prevention strategies 

  • Treatment and cure strategies 

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  Interest Areas:

  The NIAMS small business program supports research and development of products and services for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic, musculoskeletal and skin diseases. The research topics include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  1. Rheumatic Diseases.  The NIAMS supports research on rheumatic and related diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), Lyme arthritis, viral arthritis, gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD), spondyloarthropathies, and systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic scleroderma (SSc), and autoimmune myositis. 

  2. Musculoskeletal Diseases.  The musculoskeletal system is composed of the skeleton, the muscles, and connective tissues such as cartilage, tendon, and ligament. The NIAMS supports research aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system and its component tissues. The topics in this area include research on musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, muscular dystrophy, and osteogenesis imperfecta; tissue engineered products; orthopedic devices and implants; and sports medicine and fitness.   

  3. Skin Diseases. The NIAMS supports research on chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, rosacea, acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis; autoimmune skin diseases such as pemphigus, vitiligo, and alopecia areata; skin repair and regeneration in treatment of chronic wounds and reducing scar formation; and skin cancer prevention such as products preventing skin cancer in early-stage development.

• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

  Interest Areas:

  The NIBIB Small Business Program aims to translate cutting edge technologies into commercial products to address critical healthcare challenges. Through grants and contracts, the program supports the development of innovative biomedical technologies that improve human health. Areas of interest span biomedical imaging, medical devices, health informatics, diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and related innovations at the intersection of biology and engineering. Projects should demonstrate strong commercial potential while addressing significant unmet clinical needs in biomedical imaging and bioengineering.

  Specific program guidance includes:

  • Technologies may be demonstrated using a specific indication or model system, but the core innovation must be broadly applicable without significant reengineering. 

  • Applications fall outside NIBIB's mission if the primary focus is

    • developing technologies to elucidate basic biological functions or disease mechanisms, or

    • applying and testing previously developed tools or technologies.

  • Per NOT-EB-21-005, NIBIB only supports early-stage clinical trials, i.e., feasibility, Phase I, first-in-human, safety, or other small clinical trials, that inform technology development. NIBIB will not support applications with efficacy, effectiveness, or a post-market concern as an outcome.

  • NIBIB may modify or decline funding applications for budgetary, administrative, or programmatic reasons. This includes reducing budgets, shortening award periods, or choosing not to fund applications.

  • Awardees are strongly encouraged to contact NIBIB's Small Business Team about the Concept to Clinic: Commercializing Innovation (C3i) Program, a mentored, entrepreneurial training course that provides innovators with essential business tools to assess the commercial viability and potential business opportunity for their product.

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

  Interest Areas:

  NICHD supports research that includes, but not limited to the following:

  • Reproductive health, including fertility, conception, contraception, and pregnancy

  • Health of women before, during, and after pregnancy, and fetal development and infant survival

  • Typical and atypical development and growth in children and adolescents, including experiences of trauma and critical illness 

  • Gynecologic health and disease; safe and effective therapeutics and devices for children and pregnant and lactating women; dynamics of human populations across the lifespan

  • Optimizing function in people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

  Interest Areas:

  Consistent with NIH and Presidential priorities, the NIDA Small Business Program supports research and development of innovative medical and non-medical products and services for substance use disorders (SUDs) and adverse health consequences related to non-disordered drug use. Proposed solutions should improve access, affordability, and coordinated care across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. NIDA prioritizes scalable solutions deployable within integrated delivery networks across healthcare, criminal justice, workforce, education, housing, and social service systems. Specific areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Novel, mechanism-based treatments addressing the evolving overdose crisis (e.g., synthetic opioids, stimulants, polysubstance use)

  • Best-in-class opioid use disorder treatments that improve retention and outcomes for individuals not adequately served by existing medications

  • Innovative smoking cessation therapies that enhance adherence and long-term effectiveness

  • First-in-class pharmacotherapeutics and medical devices for stimulant and cannabis use disorders

  • Diagnostic tools for detection and quantification of drug exposure

  • Medical devices, including digital diagnostics and therapeutics, and clinical decision support systems supporting SUDs and comorbid mental health conditions, with particular attention to pediatric populations.

  • Digital health technologies addressing health-related social needs

  • Human-biology-based new approach methodologies and other commercial research tools

  • Forensic testing technologies identifying emerging drugs

  • FDA Drug Development Tools and Medical Device Development Tools

  NIDA strongly encourages applications that include early FDA engagement, consideration of regulatory pathways, payer engagement strategies, real-world evidence generation, and plans for sustainable adoption within integrated delivery networks and value-based care models.

• National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  Interest Areas:

  NIDCD supports research including, but not limited to, the following:  

  • Novel technologies for studying, diagnosing, and treating hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disorders.  

  • Novel diagnostic tools for testing human chemosensory function throughout the lifespan. 

  • Novel technologies for studying, diagnosing, and treating voice, speech, and language disorders such as laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia), phonotrauma, stuttering, dysarthria, developmental language disorders, and aphasia.   

  • Innovative in vivo imaging capabilities that significantly advance visualization, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders in the clinic.  

  • Novel systems of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals with motor speech impairment, including a brain-computer interface (BCI) prosthesis for communication. 

  • Novel assessments and interventions for late talking children or minimally verbal/ non-speaking individuals. 

  • Novel applications of machine learning / artificial intelligence algorithms in hearing aids, cochlear implants, AAC devices, or for the analysis of voice, speech, and language. 

• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

  Interest Areas:

  NIDCR supports small business–led development of technologies and products that translate dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research into clinically actionable solutions across the lifespan. Emphasis is on feasibility, validation, regulatory readiness, and commercialization. Projects should align with NIDCR’s goal to rapidly translate oral health innovations toward clinical impact. Early engagement with program staff is encouraged to ensure alignment with mission and priorities. Scientific areas of interest include: 

  • Targeted DOC diagnostics and therapeutic platforms for tooth-related diseases and periodontal/peri-implant conditions

  • Orofacial pain assessment and management technologies, including clinical decision support

  • Oral microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutic platforms for polymicrobial diseases

  • AI/ML-enabled predictive health and clinical decision support tools for DOC care

  • Advanced dental materials, restorative technologies, and digital manufacturing systems

  • Regenerative medicine technologies for craniofacial and dental tissue reconstruction

  • Immunomodulatory and precision therapeutic delivery systems for oral and craniofacial conditions

  • Digital behavioral and monitoring tools targeting DOC outcomes

  • Real-world evidence and patient outcome data platforms to support clinical adoption, evidence generation, and downstream coverage considerations

  • Implementation and dissemination technologies for priority-population oral health interventions

  • Integrated oral–systemic health assessment and intervention platforms

  • Regulatory and commercialization readiness tooling to support evidence generation, usability, and market adoption

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  Interest Areas:

  NIDDK is interested in projects that include robust timelines for commercialization, requisite fundraising, and all required regulatory milestones.

  For those projects intended to support completion of research needed for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), or other regulatory clearance or approval, NIDDK is interested in projects that demonstrate how formal consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the research strategy.

  NIDDK is interested in Phase IIB and Commercialization Readiness Pilot projects that propose to continue the process of developing products that ultimately require clinical evaluation and approval by a Federal regulatory agency, and that position the projects for independence from NIH support after the project period. 

• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

  Interest Areas:

  NIEHS SBIR/STTR grants help small businesses transform cutting-edge research into developing innovative and commercially viable products such as tools, technologies, assays, or services to translate and communicate environmental health research into improvements in human health. NIEHS SBIR/STTR program uses a combination of research & development, technology transfer, and communication strategies to aid the mission of NIEHS. 
  The institute’s scientific areas of emphasis include, but are not limited to, the following: 
  •    Tools/technologies such as sensors, computational methods, and exposomics approaches  for detecting and assessing human exposures to environmental hazards 
  •    Innovative and/or alternative high-throughput or high-content assays/model systems,  computational toxicology approaches, and other related new approach methodologies (NAMs) for toxicity testing and understanding effects on human health and disease
  •    Tools/methods/applications for evaluating environmental health and safety of engineered nanomaterials and micro/nanoplastics
  •    Biomonitoring technologies   such as point-of-care approaches for personal exposure assessment and exposure mediated biological response biomarkers.
  •    Intervention technologies and precision environmental health approaches to prevent or reduce human exposures or adverse health effects related to environmental stressors
  •    Educational materials to promote or support understanding of environmental health science
  The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (accepting SBIR applications only) focused on detection and remediation technologies for hazardous substances with relevance to Superfund and/or other contaminated sites

  The NIEHS Worker Training Program (accepting SBIR applications only) also participates

• National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

  Interest Areas:

  NIGMS supports the development of technologies to address complex and interdisciplinary research questions in i) basic research, ii) clinical areas that impact multiple organs systems and iii) biomedical workforce development/training through educational activities, that may require additional resources.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  Interest Areas:

  To advance its mission, NIMH supports small businesses to develop technologies, including, but not limited to, the following: 

  • Neurotechnology development to enhance research on brain structure and function 

  • Central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery/development for treating mental disorders – novel drug screening assays, novel compounds and drug targets; Research & Development (R&D) ranging from compound synthesis up to early stage clinical trials 

  • Novel brain modulation methods/devices as potential therapeutics 

  • Biological markers for CNS dysregulation/function and mental illness - objective, measurable biological indicators of physiological or disease processes to further assess replicability, reproducibility, stability, etc. at the subject level 

  • Digital health technologies – as interventions or service delivery tools, to augment clinical care, and/or to enhance clinical research, and clinical trial design/implementation at the subject/patient level 

  • Technologies addressing basic, behavioral, and implementation science related to people living with HIV – including all areas listed above 

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

  Interest Areas:

  NINDS utilizes the SBIR and STTR programs to enable the commercial development of tools and technologies that serve the NINDS mission space. Priority is given to proposals with the greatest potential to advance the NINDS mission. 

  NINDS is especially interested in the following, in no preferential order:

  1. Novel and innovative technologies that address significant unmet needs 

  2. Technologies in development for their first indication or initial market opportunity

  3. Technologies with a compelling need for federal support, such as those at a stage of development requiring de-risking to attract private investment, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), and those addressing underserved markets including rare and pediatric disease indications

  4. Under-resourced technologies, indications, markets, and geographical regions within the NINDS SBIR/STTR portfolio and mission space

  5. New applicants pursuing their first SBIR/STTR-funded technology

  6. Applicants with a demonstrated track record of advancing technologies through commercialization milestones

  7. For continuation applications, applicants who have achieved intended outcomes under prior funding

  8. Applications demonstrating robust rigor in their approach and preliminary data

• National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

  Interest Areas:

  Areas of interest include innovative small business proposals as they relate to NINR research priority areas of intervening on the conditions of daily life that influence health, using multilevel or multi-sectoral approaches to prevent chronic conditions and improve the outcomes of those with chronic conditions, promoting healthy school environments, meaningful engagement of communities at all stages of the research process, and integrating technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), to streamline and improve healthcare outcomes.

• National Library of Medicine (NLM)

  Interest Areas:

  The NLM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program supports the development of biomedical informatics tools and methods which are best disseminated through commercialization.

  The program aims to encourage small businesses to develop innovative technologies, tools, methods, and software platforms that advance:

  • Trustworthy, reproducible, and rigorous biomedical AI

  • Biomedical data infrastructure at scale

  • Sustainable biomedical reference resources and platform science

  • Market innovative human-centered use and impact informed biomedical informatics tools and methods

  Applications which utilize, integrate, or build upon data, resources, and tools fostered by NLM and NIH supported communities are encouraged. 

• Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)

  Interest Areas:

  ORIP supports research projects to develop technology including, but not limited to, the following: 

  • Create, characterize, or improve models of human disease; and develop new approach methodologies (NAMs) to complement or reduce the use of animal models in research. 

  • Preservation, revival and monitoring of cells, tissue, organs or gametes from model systems. 

  • Validate research models to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of pre-clinical studies. 

  • Devices and technologies required for development and maintenance of conventional and NAM biological model systems, including those for advancing the care, welfare, housing, and management of these models; or sensor and monitoring technologies for the surveillance of models or environmental factors that lead to improved rigor and reproducibility for studies using these models.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, awardees gain several strategic advantages:

• Government Validation and Credibility:
  Being selected for an NIH-backed SBIR grant signals technical excellence and alignment with national health and biomedical priorities. This validation builds investor and partner confidence.

• Enhanced Visibility and Market Recognition:
  Awardees are featured in NIH and HHS announcements, helping attract partnerships, media attention, and future contracting opportunities.

• Access to the Federal Innovation Ecosystem:
  Recipients join a national network of researchers and agencies advancing life science innovation, often opening doors to collaborations with NIH laboratories and federal health programs.

• Stronger Commercial and Exit Potential:
  By maturing technology through nondilutive funding, companies strengthen valuation, de-risk commercialization, and increase attractiveness for acquisition or follow-on private investment.

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

Applications are accepted each year on January 5th, April 5th, and September 5th. Funding is received approximately 9 months after submission.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with statutory set-asides requiring NIH, CDC, and FDA to devote portions of their extramural R&D budgets (3.2% for SBIR, 0.45% for STTR) to support small business innovation.

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?

Projects that demonstrate:

• A clear unmet medical or public-health need,

• Strong scientific rationale and feasibility,

• High commercialization potential, supported by a realistic market and regulatory strategy, and

• Alignment with an NIH Institute’s or CDC/FDA Center’s specific research mission (e.g., infectious disease, digital health, diagnostics, therapeutics, or data analytics).

Competitive applicants often have an early prototype, preliminary data, and a defined path to market adoption.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Companies must complete multiple federal registrations (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SBA Company Registry) before applying.

• Foreign entities are not eligible.

• Disclosure of foreign affiliations and compliance with national security screening are mandatory. Currently we do not recommend any sort of foreign affiliation.

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.

Additional Resources

Webinar - NIH Grant Admin for Academic Spin-Outs & First-Time Applicants

Engage SOF (eSOF) Capabilities of Interest – U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

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

Executive Summary:

USSOCOM’s Engage SOF (eSOF) program provides a rolling pathway for companies to submit technologies aligned with Special Operations Forces (SOF) capability needs. Selected solutions may receive funding through contracts, OTAs, SBIR/STTR, or other mechanisms. Submissions are open through December 31, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Estimated $500K to $5 Million - Funding is not fixed. Awards vary depending on the pathway and may include contracts, OTAs, SBIR/STTR, CRADAs, or prize competitions.

What could I use the funding for?

Projects must align with USSOCOM Capabilities of Interest (CoIs), including (full list here):

• Aviation Systems

• Biometrics and Forensics

• Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4)

• Cyberspace Operations

• Human Performance/Human Machine Interface

• Information Operations

• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)

• Irregular Warfare

• Medical Technology

• Canine Medicine

• Mobility

• Power and Energy

• Soldier Systems

• Weapons and Electronic Attack

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond direct funding, there are significant indirect benefits:

Government Validation and Credibility: Selection by USSOCOM signals strong alignment with real-world defense needs and increases trust with DoD stakeholders, primes, and investors.

Direct Access to End Users: eSOF connects companies directly with Program Executive Offices, Directorates, and operators for real-world feedback and validation.

Multiple Contracting Pathways: Companies can transition into OTAs, FAR contracts, CRADAs, or prototype programs without starting from scratch.

Follow-on Opportunities: Successful technologies may progress into experimentation, prototyping, and eventual procurement pathways.

Stronger Exit Potential: Government-backed validation and nondilutive funding can significantly increase company valuation and acquisition interest.

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

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis from March 26, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

Funding timing varies depending on the pathway and evaluation process after submission.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and is executed through various federal acquisition and research mechanisms including OTAs, FAR contracts, SBIR/STTR, and others.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any organization capable of providing relevant commercial technologies may apply. Submissions must present unclassified information and align with published Capabilities of Interest.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

• Clearly match one or more published Capabilities of Interest

• Demonstrate strong technical maturity and real-world applicability

• Show measurable impact on SOF mission effectiveness

• Meet security and compliance requirements

• Provide evidence supporting performance and readiness

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Submissions must be UNCLASSIFIED

• Solutions must align with current Capabilities of Interest to be prioritized

• May require CMMC compliance and security vetting

• Some pathways may involve classified applications and facility clearance requirements

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($15,000 + 5%) available (Only $4,000 for preliminary application).

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here (Requires Login).

Product Development Funding Programs – Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)

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

Executive Summary:

CPRIT provides flexible, non-dilutive funding to support the development and commercialization of innovative cancer technologies. Through four distinct programs—SEED, TDDC, TTC, and TNTC—CPRIT funds companies across the full lifecycle, from early-stage discovery to late-stage clinical development. Preliminary applications are due April 16, 2026, with full applications due July 9, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding varies by program:

• SEED Awards: Up to ~$3 million (early-stage)

• TDDC, TTC, TNTC: No fixed cap; funding is flexible and negotiated based on project scope

CPRIT allocates approximately $70 million annually for company investments and distributes funding through milestone-based contracts tied to project progress

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports research and development of technologies for the prevention, detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of cancer.

Common use cases include:

• Artificial intelligence and bioinformatics

• Therapeutics (drugs, biologics, cell therapies)

• Diagnostics and medical devices

• Manufacturing and biomanufacturing

• Clinical validation and trials

• Sample quality improvement and research tools

Which CPRIT Program is right for me?

CPRIT offers four programs designed for different stages and technology types:

SEED Awards (Earliest Stage)

• Focus: Preclinical and company formation

• Stage: Discovery → proof-of-concept

• Goal: De-risk early science and make the company investable

• Funding: Up to ~$3M

TDDC (Texas Diagnostic & Device Company Awards)

• Focus: Diagnostics and medical devices

• Stage: Late-stage development (near regulatory submission)

• Goal: Advance toward commercialization and market entry

TTC (Texas Therapeutics Company Awards)

• Focus: Therapeutics (drugs, biologics, cell therapies)

• Stage: IND-enabling through clinical development

• Goal: Advance clinical programs and regulatory approval

TNTC (Texas New Technologies Company Awards)

• Focus: Emerging and non-traditional technologies

• Stage: Varies

• Examples: AI, platforms, research tools, enabling technologies

• Goal: Support innovations that do not fit neatly into therapeutics or devices

What is the application process?

All CPRIT programs follow the same two-stage, competitive process:

Stage 1: Preliminary Application (Initial Screening)
Applicants submit:

• Abstract

• Executive summary (≤2 pages)

• Slide deck (≤16 slides)

• Project aims and budget

Applications are reviewed for scientific merit and alignment with CPRIT priorities. Only top applicants are invited to proceed.

Stage 2: Full Application (Deep Diligence)
Invited companies submit:

• Integrated product development plan (technical, clinical, regulatory)

• Full business plan (market, competition, commercialization, financials, IP)

• Timeline and milestones

• Management team and execution plan

Applicants present to an expert panel and undergo due diligence before final selection.

Final Decision Process

• Scientific and product review

• Due diligence

• Program Integration Committee review

• Final approval by CPRIT Oversight Committee

Funding is awarded via milestone-based contracts tied to performance.

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

• Preliminary Application Opens: April 7, 2026

• Preliminary Application Deadline: April 16, 2026

• Full Application Invitation: June 2026

• Full Application Deadline: July 9, 2026

• Award Period: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027

Funding is deployed over multiple years based on milestone completion.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by CPRIT through $6 billion in Texas taxpayer-backed general obligation bonds dedicated to cancer research and commercialization.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be:

• Texas-based, for-profit companies (or willing to relocate)

• Able to meet Texas presence requirements (e.g., HQ, personnel, manufacturing, or clinical activity in Texas)

• Compliant with CPRIT eligibility rules

What companies and projects are likely to win?

• Address a significant unmet medical need

• Demonstrate strong technical validation

• Show a clear path to commercialization

• Have an experienced management team

• Present a credible regulatory and development strategy

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Must maintain a business presence in Texas or be willing to relocate to Texas upon selection for award

• Matching funds are required

• Indirect costs capped at ~5%

• Travel expenses are not reimbursable (can count as matching funds)

• Funding is milestone-based with reporting requirements

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($20,000 + 5%) available (Only $5,000 for preliminary application).

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

NRL Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Basic and Applied Research - Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

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

Executive Summary:

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is seeking innovative basic and applied research proposals across a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines. Organizations can submit White Papers through September 30, 2026, with potential follow-on contracts, grants, or other agreements awarded based on technical merit.

How much funding would I receive?

Est. $500k to $5 million.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports basic and applied research aligned with Navy priorities, including (verbatim/high-level categories from the BAA):

• Systems Directorate (e.g., radar, antennas, computational electromagnetics, information systems, AI/ML, human systems integration)

• Materials Science and Component Technology (e.g., energy storage, corrosion, materials processing, bio/chemical detection)

• Ocean and Atmospheric Science (e.g., ocean acoustics, remote sensing, environmental modeling)

• Space Technology (e.g., spacecraft systems, sensors, propulsion, hypersonics)

Specific topic areas include (selected verbatim examples):

• “Virtual simulations and mixed reality systems… situational awareness, and training”

• “Data management and exploitation technologies that apply emerging mathematics and machine learning techniques”

• “Multi-agent and multi-robot systems, reinforcement learning, game theory”

• “Electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems such as batteries and fuel cells”

• “Optical sciences… lasers, sensors, and photonic technologies”

• “Cyber security, cryptographic technologies, and high assurance computing”

• “Spacecraft payloads; spacecraft propulsion systems; advanced materials for spaceflight use”

Many More Topics are listed in the Solicitation (See below).

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits:

Government Validation and Credibility:
Being selected by the Naval Research Laboratory signals strong technical credibility and alignment with U.S. Navy and DoD priorities.

Access to Defense Ecosystem:
Awardees gain exposure to Navy researchers, program managers, and potential transition partners across defense and aerospace.

Flexible Contracting Pathways:
The BAA allows for multiple award mechanisms (contracts, grants, OTAs), enabling faster and more flexible engagement than traditional procurement.

Follow-On Funding Opportunities:
Successful projects may lead to additional funding phases or expanded research programs based on performance.

Increased Strategic Positioning:
Participation positions companies for future DoD funding, partnerships, and potential acquisition interest.

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

• White Papers Due: September 30, 2026 (4:00 PM EDT)

• Rolling evaluation and invitation for full proposals after White Paper review

• Funding timing varies based on evaluation and award negotiations

Where does this funding come from?

Department of Defense (DoD) → Department of the Navy → Office of Naval Research (ONR) → Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

Who is eligible to apply?

• Educational institutions

• Small businesses

• Small disadvantaged businesses

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• Minority institutions

• Other qualified organizations

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Selections are based on:

• Technical merit and scientific quality of the proposed approach

• Relevance to NRL research priorities

• Potential benefit to the Government relative to cost

• Feasibility and innovation of the solution

• Cost realism and overall value

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Must submit a White Paper first before a full proposal

• Some topics may require security clearances or classified work

• Awards depend on availability of funding

• Government may select all, some, or none of proposals

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($15,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Low Power Seawater Converter for Aircrew Survival - STTR Topic DON26TZ01-NV014

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a lightweight, compact, rugged, and reliable device that can convert seawater into safe, drinkable water. The device should minimize bulk and human energy expenditure, while maximizing output.

Description:

Survival in a life raft on the open ocean depends greatly on the availability of potable water. Naval aircrew currently carry prepackaged water in soft packets placed within the ejection seat survival kit and aircrew survival vest sufficient to sustain life for less than one day. Reverse osmosis desalinators and forward osmosis nutrient packs are commercially available to the recreational seafarer. However, neither of these approaches are designed to maximize the amount of drinkable water while minimizing the amount of human energy expended, while constrained by limited space within a survival kit. Manual Reverse Osmosis Desalinator (MROD) devices are labor intensive, requiring more than 2500 pumps to produce one liter of water in one hour. Such human powered devices may require more energy expenditure than the calories available to stranded aircrew. Forward osmosis products available for the recreational sailor can produce potable beverages with little manual effort, but the total output capacity for aircrew is limited by the storage volume of the ejection seat survival kit. Current options for supplying sufficient drinking water to sustain life throughout extended rescue durations are inadequate.

Innovative solutions will minimize or eliminate aircrew physical activity/exertion, while producing at least one gallon of drinkable water per day, with a minimum salt rejection of 95%. Concepts utilizing novel chemical processes or nanotechnology are preferred over simple refinements of current osmosis technology.

The device should:

a) fit within a Naval Aircraft Common Ejection Seat (NACES) survival kit (an envelope approximately 6½"x14½"x4½") along with an Emergency Oxygen System (EOS) and an LRU-38/P life raft, but not exceed 114 cubic inches.

b) operate in near freezing brine water/freshwater/saltwater.

c) operate in turbulent or calm water conditions.

d) operate reliably in cold and hot ambient air from -40° to +125°F (-40° to +51°C).

e) operate after exposure to temperature extremes from -65° to +160°F (-54° to +71°C).

f) operate after exposure to mold, mildew, flame, and salt fog.

g) not create hazards (i.e., burn, injury, Foreign Object Debris (FOD), snag/trip, and static discharge) in any mission or survival operations.

h) operate following a 600-knot seat ejection.

i) operate after repeated exposure to altitudes up to 70,000 ft (0.65 psi).

j) operate after exposure to typical fixed-wing ejection seat aircraft vibration levels, at frequencies from 5 Hz-2000 Hz).

k) provide resistance to environmental contaminants (i.e., sand, petroleum, oil, lubricants, and solar radiation).

l) not interfere with survival vest or mounted gear, armor/armor release, seat harnesses, helmets or head mounted gear.

m) be capable of operating after 15 months in a packed state (360-day inspection cycle plus 90 day shelf life) while exposed to temperature ranges of -65° to 160°F (-54° to +71°C).

n) weigh less than 2 lbs.

o) use Berry Amendment-compliant materials and manufacturing techniques.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

AI/ML Assisted Field Troubleshooting in Avionics Optical Network - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-DV003

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $2 Million.

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Design, develop, and integrate a portable artificial intelligence/ machine learning (AI/ML)-enabled diagnostic module compatible with existing Optical Backscattering Reflectometer (OBR) and Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) mainframes. The module will be engineered to support in-field optical network troubleshooting and management for high-speed communication systems.

Description:

Current airborne military (mil-aero) core avionics, electro-optical (EO), communications, and electronic warfare systems are experiencing continuous growth in bandwidth demand, coupled with stringent requirements to reduce Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP). Earlier-generation multimode optical fibers have replaced traditional shielded twisted-pair wire and coaxial cable, offering increased electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity, higher bandwidth and throughput, and notable reductions in aircraft size and weight.

However, maintenance and troubleshooting of these advanced optical networks remain highly dependent on traditional telecommunication test equipment. Identifying and resolving faults—such as fiber breaks, fractures, and high-loss terminations—requires locating and distinguishing anomalies within meter-level precision, whereas modern avionic information-processing networks demand centimeter-level spatial resolution from source to detector.

Fault detection must extend beyond typical Weapons Replaceable Assembly (WRA) interfaces to identify:

Backplane/module degradation

Line replaceable module-to-optical transceiver faults

Polymer waveguide failures

Inline sensor (fiber grating) issues

Optical link loss across concatenated waveguide segments

Frequent airframe panel removal during fault isolation disrupts aircraft availability and mission readiness—especially for stealth platforms—highlighting the need for faster, more accurate, and less intrusive diagnostics.

To overcome these limitations, a portable AI/ML-enabled troubleshooting device is proposed to support field diagnostics across military airborne fiber-optic systems. The device will leverage next-generation reflectometry technologies and machine intelligence to enhance fault resolution precision and technician efficiency.

Key Capabilities:

AI-Augmented Fault DetectionReal-time identification of defects (breaks, voids, misalignments, link degradation)

Pattern recognition and anomaly classification using historical signature databases

AI-Driven Virtual AssistantsOn-device or network-connected chatbots providing guided maintenance workflows

Embedded AR interface for overlaying diagnostics on test hardware in real time

Advanced Troubleshooting MetricsSpatial resolution to centimeter scale across multiple fiber types

Predictive maintenance algorithms to reduce unplanned network downtime

Plug-and-Play Integration Fully compatible with existing portable OTDR/OBR mainframes

Support for both multimode (50/125, 62.5/125, 100/140 µm) and single mode (9/125 µm) fiber types

GUI developed for intuitive field use across all operational conditions

Wavelength and Environmental ResilienceOperational wavelength support: SWDM and CWDM

Designed for MIL-PRF-28800 Class 2 with select Class 1 enhancements

Operational temperature range: –40°C to +95°C

Resistant to mechanical shock, altitude variation, vibration, humidity, and thermal cycling

The device will build upon a fusion of legacy and emerging fiber-optic diagnostic technologies, including:

Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR)

Optical Backscatter Reflectometry (OBR)

Photon-Counting OTDR (PC-OTDR)

Low Correlation OTDR (LC-OTDR)

Pseudo Random Sequence (PRS) Correlation OTDR (C-OTDR)

Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR)

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

CDMRP: FY26 Epilepsy Research Program (ERP)

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

Executive Summary:

The FY26 Epilepsy Research Program (ERP) from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), managed by the Defense Health Agency Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command, is expected to fund innovative research focused on post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and related comorbidities.

The program’s goal is to improve quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, caregivers, and the broader epilepsy community by advancing understanding of the biological mechanisms, epidemiology, progression, and treatment of PTE.

This announcement is a pre-announcement, meaning investigators should begin preparing ideas now. Application deadlines have not yet been released. The official Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), which will include submission deadlines, will be posted on Grants.gov.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding amounts depend on the award mechanism.

• Idea Development Award

  • Maximum funding: $1 million total costs

  • Maximum period of performance: 3 years

• Leveraging Research Award

  • Maximum funding: $800,000 total costs

  • Maximum period of performance: 3 years

• Research Partnership Award

  • Maximum funding: $2 million total costs

  • Maximum period of performance: 3 years

• Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award

  • Maximum funding: $1.6 million total costs

  • Maximum period of performance: 4 years

• Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Faculty Award

  • Maximum funding: $800,000 total costs

  • Maximum period of performance: 3 years

Total costs include direct and indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

ERP funding supports research designed to advance understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and related conditions. Applications should address at least one of the program’s focus areas:

Markers and Mechanisms of PTE

• Identification of biomarkers predicting epilepsy development

• Research into biological mechanisms that could prevent epileptogenesis or seizure activity

Epidemiological Characterization of PTE

• Identifying predictors of epilepsy development

• Studying patient outcomes such as latency to epilepsy onset, comorbidities, and mortality

• Measuring impacts on quality of life for patients and caregivers

Longitudinal Studies of PTE Progression

• Tracking disease progression over time

• Evaluating treatment outcomes and quality of care

• Studying interactions between epilepsy and comorbid conditions such as psychiatric disorders, cognitive deficits, sleep disorders, and fatigue

Innovative Research Tools and Technologies

• Artificial intelligence or bioinformatics tools

• Clinical databases and advanced device technologies for seizure detection and diagnosis

• Models for studying post-traumatic epilepsy

• Tools enabling future clinical trials

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Some award mechanisms provide benefits beyond funding.

For example:

• Research Partnership Award

  • Supports collaborative research between two named Principal Investigators

• Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Leadership Award

  • Provides funding to lead a virtual research center

  • Includes responsibilities such as mentoring investigators and facilitating collaboration

• Virtual Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Research Center – Faculty Award

  • Supports early-career researchers or investigators new to the PTE field

  • Includes mentorship and career development within a collaborative research environment

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

The process will include:

• Pre-application submission through eBRAP

• Pre-applications will be Letters of Intent

• Full applications will follow the requirements outlined in the final FOAs on Grants.gov

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act, which provides funding for the Epilepsy Research Program (ERP).

The program is administered by:

• Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)

• Defense Health Agency Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command

ERP focuses on research that benefits Service Members, Veterans, caregivers, and the broader epilepsy community.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility depends on the award mechanism:

• Idea Development Award

  • Independent investigators at any career level may serve as Principal Investigator

• Leveraging Research Award

  • Independent investigators at any career level may serve as Principal Investigator

• Research Partnership Award

  • Two named Principal Investigators who are independent investigators at any career level

• Virtual P-TERC Leadership Award

  • Director and Deputy Director must be independent investigators with:

    • Strong history of PTE research funding

    • Peer-reviewed publications

    • Mentorship experience

• Virtual P-TERC Faculty Award

  • Early-career investigators or investigators new to the PTE field

What companies and projects are likely to win?

ERP prioritizes research that:

• Advances understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy and associated comorbidities

• Improves quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, and caregivers

• Demonstrates innovation or high creativity

• Challenges existing research paradigms

• Leverages existing datasets, cohorts, or research infrastructure

• Includes strong collaborations where appropriate

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key requirements include:

• Pre-applications must be submitted through eBRAP

• All pre-applications are Letters of Intent

• Full applications must follow the requirements of the final Funding Opportunity Announcements on Grants.gov

• Applications must align with the ERP’s focus areas on post-traumatic epilepsy

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time will depend on the complexity of the project and research team.

Typical CDMRP submissions involve:

• A Letter of Intent (pre-application)

• A full application including research plan, budget, and supporting documentation

Because official deadlines have not yet been released, investigators should begin developing project concepts now so they are ready once the FOAs are posted.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO supports companies and research teams pursuing CDMRP and other federal research funding by:

• Identifying the most competitive award mechanism

• Developing a compelling proposal narrative aligned with program priorities

• Structuring the research plan and milestones

• Coordinating multi-institution collaborations

• Managing the full submission process through eBRAP and Grants.gov

Our team has extensive experience helping applicants pursue defense health and biomedical research funding.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: FY26 Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP)

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

Executive Summary:

The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) is expected to release funding opportunities through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) to support impactful research addressing Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease–related dementias (AD/ADRD).

06-22-2026 - (Pre-application - Pre-Proposal)
09-24-2026 - (Application)

The program’s mission is to fund solution-oriented research that improves quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including Service Members, Veterans, their Families, and the general public.

Congress appropriated $15.0 million for the FY26 Alzheimer’s Research Program.

The FY26 AZRP is expected to support research that improves diagnosis, prevention, risk reduction, and quality of life for individuals affected by AD/ADRD.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding depends on the award mechanism.

Transforming Care Award

• Maximum funding: $1.6M total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

Career Initiation or Transition Partnership Option (CITPO):

• Maximum funding: $1.8M total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

Transforming Diagnosis Award

• Maximum funding: $1.5M total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

Career Initiation or Transition Partnership Option (CITPO):

• Maximum funding: $1.7M total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

Transforming Research Award

• Maximum funding: $1M total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 3 years

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports non-incremental, solution-focused research addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD).

The allowable research depends on the mechanism.

Transforming Care Award

Supports well-designed non-incremental clinical research or clinical trials in dementia care that provide solutions for individuals living with AD/ADRD.

Projects may address:

• Care interventions

• Strategies or technologies for dementia care

• Tools that improve daily living and support systems

• Approaches that reduce caregiver burden and stress

• Methods that improve quality of life for individuals with dementia

Applications are encouraged to prioritize both:

• Individuals living with AD/ADRD

• Their care partners

Transforming Diagnosis Award

Supports solutions-oriented research addressing barriers to diagnosis, disease monitoring, or prognosis.

Barriers may include:

• Diagnostic technologies

• Cost barriers

• Access to diagnostic tools

• Clinical implementation challenges

• Biomarker validation

• Disease monitoring methods

• Lack of longitudinal data for prediction or prognosis

Research may include:

• Prospective human subject recruitment

• De-identified human samples, specimens, or datasets

Transforming Research Award

Supports research that reduces risk and prevents the development of AD/ADRD.

Applications must address one of two focus areas:

Risk factor knowledge

• Identification or validation of risk or protective factors

• Environmental, epigenetic, genetic, lifestyle, or occupational risks

Risk reduction solutions

• Non-pharmacological methods

• Technologies

• Prevention strategies that reduce risk of AD/ADRD

The program encourages studies leveraging existing cohorts or datasets, including cohorts 65 years or younger.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The pre-announcement does not specify additional non-funding benefits.

However, CDMRP programs typically provide:

• Access to a two-tier review system combining scientific peer review and programmatic review to ensure scientific merit and mission relevance.

• Opportunities to collaborate with researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders affected by the disease.

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

06-22-2026 - (Pre-application - Pre-Proposal)
09-24-2026 - (Application)

Where does this funding come from?

This funding comes from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) within the Department of Defense.

Key facts:

• Funding was appropriated through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

• CDMRP manages biomedical research programs supporting the health of Service Members, Veterans, their Families, and the American public.

Who is eligible to apply?

Detailed eligibility criteria will be provided in the official Funding Opportunity Announcements.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The AZRP supports projects that:

• Address critical needs in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

• Deliver solution-oriented outcomes

• Improve diagnosis, prevention, or patient quality of life

• Demonstrate clear relevance to Service Members, Veterans, their Families, or the broader public

Projects that show strong scientific merit and mission relevance are prioritized through CDMRP’s two-tier review process.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Restrictions and requirements are not specified in the pre-announcement.

These details—including allowable costs, research scope limitations, and regulatory requirements—will be defined in the full Funding Opportunity Announcements.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The preparation timeline is not specified in the pre-announcement.

CDMRP programs often use a two-stage process that may include:

• Pre-application submission

• Invitation to submit a full application

However, the specific process for FY26 AZRP is not specified in the pre-announcement.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO supports teams pursuing CDMRP funding by:

• Assessing project fit with the AZRP mission and research priorities

• Developing a competitive technical narrative

• Structuring proposals to align with CDMRP review criteria

• Managing submission strategy, compliance, and timeline

• Coordinating collaborators, investigators, and supporting documentation

Our team has extensive experience supporting Department of Defense CDMRP grant applications.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

CDMRP: FY26 Autism Research Program

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

Executive Summary:

The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Autism Research Program (ARP) from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) will fund innovative, high-impact research with clinical relevance that improves outcomes for individuals with autism and their families. The program released this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan proposals before the formal Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) are released.

The FY26 ARP was funded through the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act. Investigators should begin preparing now because the program will require a pre-application before submission of a full proposal once the FOAs are released.

Application deadline: The deadline is not specified in the solicitation. Deadlines will be published in the FY26 ARP funding opportunity announcements when they are released on Grants.gov.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding depends on the specific award mechanism.

Career Development Award

• Maximum funding: $750,000 total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 3 years

Clinical Trial Award

• Maximum funding: $1.5 million total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

Clinical Trial Award – Nested Early-Career Investigator Option

• Maximum funding: $1.75 million total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 4 years

Idea Development Award

• Maximum funding: $750,000 total costs

• Maximum period of performance: 3 years

Total costs include direct and indirect costs.

What could I use the funding for?

Each mechanism supports different types of autism research.

Career Development Award

• Supports early-career independent investigators or established investigators transitioning into autism research.

• Projects must pursue research with the potential to have a major impact on autism.

• Supported activities include:

  • Innovative, high-impact research ideas

  • Early-phase, proof-of-principle clinical trials

• Preliminary data is required.

Clinical Trial Award

• Supports research with the potential to have a major impact on the treatment and/or management of autism.

• Projects must involve clinical trials supported by preliminary data.

Clinical Trial Award – Nested Early-Career Investigator Option

• Allows a senior investigator (initiating PI) to collaborate with a young investigator.

• Supports the development of investigators pursuing careers in autism clinical trial research.

Idea Development Award

• Supports innovative, high-impact ideas that advance understanding of autism and lead to improved outcomes.

• Includes a Partnering PI Option allowing collaboration between two investigators.

• Clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism.

All mechanisms require preliminary data relevant to the proposed project.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The program includes several structural benefits:

• Career Development Award supports the transition of researchers into the autism field.

• Clinical Trial Award – Nested Early-Career Investigator Option provides structured development for young investigators.

• Idea Development Award – Partnering PI Option encourages collaboration between investigators.

These structures are designed to expand the autism research workforce and accelerate impactful research.

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

• Pre-announcement released: March 2, 2026

• Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) will be posted on Grants.gov.

• Pre-application submission through eBRAP is required before submitting a full application.

• Application submission is by invitation only after review of the pre-application.

• Pre-application and full application deadlines are not specified in the pre-announcement.

• Funding start dates are not specified in the pre-announcement.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding for the program comes from the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act and is administered by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) within the Defense Health Agency Research and Development – Medical Research and Development Command.

The program is part of the Department of Defense’s Autism Research Program (ARP).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility varies by mechanism.

Career Development Award
Applicants must:

• Be independent investigators at or below the level of Assistant Professor, or equivalent,

  or

• Be established investigators in a field other than autism at or above the level of Assistant Professor seeking to transition into autism research.

Additional requirements:

• Must not have previously received a Career Development Award (or equivalent) from any CDMRP program or other federal agency.

• Must not have received more than $250,000 in total direct costs for previous or concurrent autism research as a PI of federally or privately funded non-mentored peer-reviewed grants.

• Must hold a Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent at the time of pre-application submission.

• Must not be a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or other mentored researcher.

Clinical Trial Award

• Independent investigators at any career level.

Clinical Trial Award – Nested Early-Career Investigator Option
Young investigator must:

• Be currently in postdoctoral training or have completed postdoctoral training.

• Be no more than 7 years from receipt of a terminal degree.

• Commit at least 50% time to the project.

Idea Development Award

• Independent investigators at any career level.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the pre-announcement, competitive applications will likely:

• Propose innovative, high-impact research addressing autism

• Demonstrate strong preliminary data

• Show potential for major impact on understanding, treatment, or management of autism

• Align with the goals of the specific award mechanism

• For collaboration options, demonstrate meaningful partnerships between investigators

Applications must clearly demonstrate scientific merit and potential impact.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Pre-application submission through eBRAP is required before submitting a full application.

• Full applications are submitted by invitation only.

• Preliminary data is required for all mechanisms.

• Idea Development Award applications cannot support clinical trials, including a clinical trial aim.

• Career Development Award applicants must meet prior funding and career stage restrictions.

All applications must conform to the final Funding Opportunity Announcements posted on Grants.gov.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify preparation time.

However, because the ARP uses a two-stage process (pre-application followed by invitation-only full application), applicants typically need time to:

• Prepare a competitive pre-proposal

• Develop preliminary data and a detailed research plan

• Assemble collaborators and institutional approvals

Investigators are encouraged to begin planning early before FOAs are released.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support applicants throughout the ARP application process, including:

• Evaluating project fit with ARP mechanisms

• Developing a competitive proposal strategy

• Structuring impact-focused research narratives

• Managing the pre-application and full application process

• Preparing supporting documents and compliance materials

• Coordinating multi-investigator collaborations

Our team has extensive experience supporting Department of Defense CDMRP grant applications.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Flexible Printed Thermoelectric Cooling Film - STTR Topic DON26TZ01-NV013

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a low-cost and lightweight thermoelectric cooling film that could be used to cool the warfighter (small scale) or surfaces on military platforms (larger scale) using printed organic semiconductors. The flexible cooling films should have a bending radius of less than one inch to easily wrap around pipes, wrists, and ankles, and be able to conform to complex curvatures on larger surfaces.

Description:

Thermoelectric cooling devices based on narrow bandgap semiconductors such as bismuth telluride are commercially available. They are solid state devices and thus do not have the large footprint and moving parts associated with vapor compression refrigeration systems; however, they operate with lower efficiency. They are well-suited for cooling small flat surfaces where one is more concerned with the form factor than efficiency. For many practical applications, these square ceramic tile thermoelectric devices are heavy and too rigid, and do not offer conformal contact to curved surfaces.

Over the past fifteen years, a lot of progress has been made on organic thermoelectric materials. Though the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) has not caught up to that of bismuth telluride and other inorganic materials, the potential to make low-cost, lightweight, and flexible devices has opened a new application space for thermoelectric cooling where flexibility and large-area conformal contact are prioritized over efficiency. For instance, lightweight headbands and wristbands only need to remove a small amount of heat to provide significant cooling sensation to the user. Likewise, there are diffuse, large surface area applications with similar cooling needs. Prior research was summarized in a recent review article by Segalman [Ref 1].

The conducting polymer Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) [PEDOT] was identified as a strong candidate for the p-type leg in the p-n device, but device performance has been limited by the lack of suitable n-type materials. The organic electronics community has long wrestled with n-type materials due to potential oxidation of the electron carriers. A number of inherently stable and high performing n-type polymers have recently been developed [Ref 2] that should complement the available p-type materials and enable significantly improved thermoelectric cooling device performance. New device designs obtainable with simple fabrication must be developed to take advantage of the anisotropic thermal conductance and charge transport in these materials, which is typically maximized in-plane and along the polymer molecular backbones, such that measured thin film behaviors successfully translate into device performance. A number of design and fabrication strategies have been demonstrated but much more innovation is possible [Ref 1]. It is an appropriate time to develop lightweight, flexible thermoelectric cooling devices for these niche applications.

This STTR topic is for low-cost, lightweight, and flexible thermoelectrics for personal cooling as well as for large area applications.

The flexible cooling films should have a bending radius of less than one inch to easily wrap around pipes, wrists, and ankles, and be able to conform to complex curvatures on larger surfaces. The stated applications are near-ambient temperatures though the conjugated polymers should be able to handle temperatures up to 200°C. Composite approaches that are appropriate are welcome. This topic is not soliciting a fabric-based solution.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Broadening Availability of Regimens for K-9s (BARK) - Open Topic - SBIR Topic DPA26BZ01-NP001

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop medical products that are interoperable and compatible across humans and dogs to meet the health needs of both human warfighters and military working dogs.

Description:

Military working dogs (MWDs) are critical to national security, serving as force multipliers by enhancing the lethality and survivability of their teams through their unique senses, agility, and autonomy. Providing effective medical care for MWDs is critical but imposes significant challenges. Not all human medical products work for canines (K-9s), who sometimes require separate, specialized veterinary products. MWD handlers must therefore carry extra medical equipment to provide emergency care for their K-9 partner, exacerbating equipment loads and impeding operational capacity. Specialized equipment also expands medical materiel requirements and dependence on the less-resourced veterinary market, encumbering acquisition and sustainment activities.

Medical technologies that are interoperable and compatible across humans and dogs can address unmet needs of valuable MWDs while lessening the burden on medics, logisticians, and other contributors to force health protection. Species-interoperable medical technologies, particularly those supporting acute and tactical care, will improve lifesaving medical care for these MWDs while mitigating logistical and operational burdens of treating both human and K-9 warfighters.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting medical technologies that are interoperable and compatible across humans and dogs. Technologies of greatest interest allow for the replacement of existing products in medical sets with interoperable products, reducing the total amount of medical supplies—expanding capability without expanding the kits. Examples of specific technologies of interest include, but are not limited to:

Filters for donor plasma capable of removing cross-reactive antigens that impede compatibility across species;

Universal synthetic plasma designed with all necessary functional components for transfusion;

Sensors and form-factors that enable physiological monitoring (e.g., core body temperature and blood pressure) or triage in both humans and dogs;

Medical devices (e.g., splints, backboards, tourniquets, mechanical ventilators) designed to be rapidly adjustable at point of care for flexible use across anatomies;

Interoperable medical countermeasures (MCMs) and form-agnostic personal protective equipment to mitigate or protect against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; and

Delivery mechanisms that can modulate dosing, including through excipients or combination devices (e.g., autoinjectors), to enable universal use of pharmaceuticals and MCMs.

The aim of the solicitation is to create a demonstrative prototype that can quickly progress to pre-clinical or clinical testing during a contracted SBIR Phase II period of performance (PoP). Research that merely tests existing products, including collection of data to titrate dosages or support label expansion of a marketed product to an additional species, is unlikely to achieve the degree of technical innovation a successful proposal should demonstrate. New drug discovery is discouraged but may be considered in particularly compelling cases. Products enabled by proposed research should feasibly be safe and effective in both humans and canines—to be verified in future trials—for use cases where no single existing product serves both patient sets. Technologies of interest should be capable of achieving substantially equivalent or superior performance in humans compared to currently approved options.

An initial white paper describing the technical approach is required and will be evaluated. If DARPA selects a white paper for further evaluation, the Government will issue an invitation to submit a full proposal. The technical white paper should include an overview of the proposed concept with details to support feasibility. The overview should address the bullets below, which are listed in order of importance:

Proposed concept: Describe the proposed research and medical product. Outline the design and operation of the main components that are being proposed for development and mode(s) of action. Use clear calculations, preliminary data, or mechanistic justifications to support feasibility of the proposed concept.

Concept of employment: Identify how the proposed product could be employed. Provide details on the intended use, indication, and effect, and the prevalence and impact of the addressed medical condition. What benefits, including new capabilities or improved metrics, does the proposed solution provide compared to current commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) options (e.g., commercially available human- or canine-specific products)?

Path to market: Identify relevant predicate or otherwise established products that have been approved, licensed, authorized, or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other relevant regulatory authority. Provide a general plan or strategy for securing market access and ensuring regulatory compliance for both humans and canines if the proposed technology is successful and shown to be safe and effective. For any special FDA programs noted (e.g., Breakthrough Device designation, 513(g)), ensure that the white paper describes how the medical product meets the program requirements.

Scalability: Provide a brief analysis of the feasibility of scaling the technology across both the DoW and industry. Are the achievable production costs low enough to merit widespread adoption, especially if alternative human- or canine-specific products are available? Is the system sufficiently familiar or intuitive to medics, handlers, and clinicians that large-scale deployment and administration wouldn’t require significant training or modification of protocols? What are the projected maintenance and storage requirements, operational availabilities, and service lifetimes, and, if applicable, how do they compare with COTS alternatives?

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Advanced Damage Criticality Analysis - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-DV005

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $2 Million.

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a passive Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system to identify, locate, and characterize the severity of defects and cracks due to fatigue loading or impacts based on novel or advanced technologies with a basis in physics and avoiding qualitative assumptions.

Description:

The Navy seeks an effective passive Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system for Navy ship hulls and other structures that can monitor defects, such as crack growth from fatigue or impacts, and provide actionable information about the severity of the defect in an automated manner, i.e., in real time. Such fatigue cracks develop and grow in Navy ship hull welds and plating from cyclical life-cycle stresses and event-driven forces from severe sea states, collisions, and groundings.

The U.S. Navy and other navies around the world have installed SHM systems to monitor hull structural health but almost all are based on using strain gauges to monitor stresses on the hull and inferring crack growth based on fatigue life calculations. For example, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) has worked with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and installed SHM systems consisting of strain gauges and accelerometers on several ships in the T-EPF class, which monitor hull deflection and dynamic movement due to the ship’s loading and the sea states encountered. The data from these sensors is being fed into a digital twin model developed to calculate structural stresses for managing vessel survivability and to minimize operating risk.

There have been some attempts to develop fiber optics sensors to measure strain or Acoustic Emission (AE) sensors to monitor fatigue cracks directly. These approaches have seen varying levels of success, yet, better systems are needed. There may even be some applications for LiDAR use to improve success probability. The Navy is particularly interested in locating and characterizing the severity or criticality of a defect if one is detected. Currently there is not a system available on the commercial market.

The Navy’s need for such hull monitoring capability has become more important with the introduction of high-speed and catamaran vessels, which are more prone to hull cracking due to the designs of the ships, materials of the hull, and stresses experienced in high seas. An ideal system would be capable of monitoring large areas of the ship’s hull with sensing devices that provide cost effective coverage with the following capabilities:

Detect and identify the location of crack growth signals in the hull if they exist in the presence of ship’s background noise without producing false positives or negatives.

Produce results in an automated manner, i.e., real time, so they are immediately available to the operating crew.

Provide insight as to the severity of the crack growth considering the complex geometries found in hull structures with varying thicknesses and stiffeners.

The Navy would benefit from understanding structural risks in real time with the goal of minimizing the possibility of incurring structural damage at sea. The SHM system the Navy needs should provide meaningful information on ship structural health and reduce inspection and maintenance costs during repair availabilities by identifying areas of concern or damage in advance.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Synthetic Alkali Atom Vapor Density for Atom-Based Sensors - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-NV037

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Simplify the thermal management of practical atom-based quantum sensors based on alkali atoms by creating a passive atom source operated at thermal equilibrium based on a synthetic alkali vapor density for rubidium or cesium atoms.

Description:

Quantum sensors based on atoms offer the opportunity to produce measurements with excellent sensitivity or long-term stability, making them attractive use in atomic clocks, magnetometers, or inertial sensors. In these sensors, the atomic vapor represents the sensing media where variations in signal magnitude from fluctuations in atom number can lead to instability or loss of sensitivity. Maintaining consistent signal throughout environmental conditions represents one of several key design criteria for atom-based sensors for use outside the laboratory.

Many atom-based sensors rely on heavy alkali atoms, specifically rubidium and cesium. This is because of the simplified, hydrogen-like energy level structure, the availability of narrow-linewidth semiconductor diode lasers on the relevant D1 (795/895 nm) and D2 (780/852 nm) transitions, the accessibility of commercial microwave electronics at the 3-10 GHz hyperfine splittings, and the ease of production of vapor phase atoms at modest temperatures. The temperature dependence of the alkalis [Ref 1] leads to thermal stabilization at 80-130°C (ideal for vapor cells at 10e12-10e14/cc) or closer to room temperature (ideal for atom trapping at 10e8-10e10/cc). These temperatures rarely align with thermal profiles of other aspects of the system, requiring additional design at the expense of size, weight, and power (SWaP).

Active approaches to alkali regulation have been demonstrated to manipulate the vapor to a non-equilibrium state. These approaches involve forced chemical reactions, intercalated graphite, alkali impregnated materials glasses [Refs 2,3]. In each case, a feedback loop must respond to measurements of the vapor density, leading to extra sensor complexity.

An equilibrium vapor density represents the simplest atom source which can be synthetically adjusted to an elevated temperature through a mixture [Ref 4]. Here, a primary species mixed with a secondary species reduces the equilibrium vapor density of both species by the mixing ratio following Raoult’s Law [Ref 5]. Selecting a lower vapor density secondary species limits the negative impact of additional atom-atom collisions. Such an approach can be applied to laser-cooled systems in addition to vapor cells to enable equilibrium operation at elevated system temperature, providing tight thermal regulation at low power.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

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

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Bridge Environmental Light Pollution Mitigation and Control - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-NV017

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop and deploy a safe, sustainable technology suited for controlling light pollution, thereby reducing ambient light levels across a bridge environment and providing adequate situational task lighting at select workstations across the bridge.

Description:

The Navy seeks a light mitigation technology for adequate situational lighting compliant with the Bridge Light Pollution Mitigation and Control Program (BLPM & CP). A comprehensive review of collisions involving U.S. Navy ships cited bridge lighting conditions as a possible contributing factor, stating the need to adhere to military standards for light producing displays and equipment installed on the bridges of surface combatant ships. The principal BLPM & CP’s objective is to resolve non-compliance of current bridge equipment and hardware with Military Standard MIL-STD-1472H, DOW Design Criteria Standard for Human Engineering [Ref 2]. Existing hardware often fails to satisfy requirements as outlined in the referenced standard (MIL-STD-1472H).

Light pollution mitigation efforts are necessary for all light producing technology installed on surface ship bridges/pilot houses. Reducing the undesirable effects of excessive or poorly designed lighting (i.e., light pollution) on night vision and bridge-watch stander performance will create greater situational awareness for crew members in a darkened bridge environment, therefore enhancing ship safety at sea.

The Navy seeks light mitigation technology for the bridge environment that complies with MIL-STD-1472H and enhances the effectiveness of all lights (e.g., screens, indicator lights, LED) during dark operations. This solution must also include a ruggedized work light that complies with free translation in three-dimensional space and free rotation on all three axes of rotation. There is currently no commercial technology that can meet this need.

The light should comply with all surface ship environmental standards regarding Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3), shock, vibration, and power quality and be able to produce light at the levels described in MIL-STD-1772H. The work light shall allow bridge watch standers to observe printed material at nighttime while still preserving night vision. A shipboard bridge work light must provide a focused beam of light with minimal glare, must be adjustable to direct light precisely where needed, and must offer the ability to control brightness levels with a cool color temperature to minimize eye strain while performing detailed tasks like reading or writing notes especially for crew members in a darkened bridge environment.

This scope of this effort includes all light emitting devices on the bridge, and is not limited to the following bridge systems:

Navigation Radar

Surface Search Radar

Situational Awareness Radar

Electronic Charting System

Ship Control Consoles

Voyage Data Recorder

Bridge-to-bridge Radio

Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) Systems

Damage Control Equipment/Displays

Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Systems

Desired light mitigation solution parameters include but are not limited to:

Overlay applications, easily applied to existing displays, requiring no special tools, equipment, hardware, fixtures, adhesives, tapes, or fasteners.

Collapsible, foldable, stackable, and/or portable solutions to allow effective and easy storage when not in use.

Various optical densities and sizes of Neutral Density filter material may be overlaid on displays.

Solutions shall allow operator adjustment during application or installation.

Temporary covers, fixtures, filters, shades, etcetera must not alter the original design characteristics nor interfere with normal operation of mitigated light emitting sources.

Technology should not require external electrical power nor include additional electronic control systems or require any form of computer network connections.

Solution shall not leave any adhesive residue behind on surfaces after removal.

Mitigations may also include other formed caps to cover various instrumentations to reduce or eliminate light pollution associated with installed bridge equipment and other environmental light polluters.

Solution must be able to withstand extreme environmental conditions (e.g., high humidity, persistent vibration, temperature below 40° degrees Fahrenheit, etc.).

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Nudging Behaviors for Better Sleep - STTR Topic DON26TZ01-NV016

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop software for personalized and adaptive behavioral interventions (i.e., nudges) using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) wearable hardware devices to promote and improve sleep outcomes and human performance in dynamic environments.

Description:

Despite extensive research on the mechanisms of sleep and behavioral modifications to improve sleep, relatively little is known about how context-sensitive behavioral nudging systems—those that dynamically suggest small, adaptive changes based on real-time data—can improve sleep quality and overall performance outcomes in complex, high-stakes settings. Fatigue caused by inadequate sleep negatively affects service members' performance and has contributed to accidents—resulting in deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to ships, vehicles, and aircraft [Ref 1]. “Nudging” refers to subtle interventions that steer behavior without restricting choices [Ref 2]. For example, non-obvious changes in how options are presented (e.g., ordering, timing, framing) have been shown to significantly affect sleep behaviors and dietary choices [Ref 3]. Recent advances in wearable sensor technology (e.g., smartwatches, rings, sleep trackers, etc.) allow for continuous collection of physiological and behavioral data. Many hardware devices are coupled with software that provide notifications, advice, and suggestions, but these are often canned, static statements that are simply pushed to the user (i.e., a one-way notification) and are not personalized to the user and/or their data.

Delivering adaptive behavioral nudges that learn and track the user’s state and responses, evolve over time, and promote sustained positive behavior change is also critical for mitigating the impact of sleep on operations. The objective of this STTR topic is to develop personalized and adaptive behavioral interventions (i.e., nudges) using COTS wearable devices to promote and improve sleep outcomes and human performance in dynamic environments. Achieving this objective requires: (1) research into integrated theoretical frameworks for personalized behavior change, grounded in cognitive, physiological, and contextual variables, and informed by mathematical tools such as dynamical systems modeling; (2) the development of adaptive algorithms that leverage Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to integrate with existing wearable and embedded sensors to identify optimal timing, modality, and content for real-time, minimally-intrusive, adherence-supporting behavioral nudges across diverse user states and operational contexts; (3) the exploration of human-centered communication strategies for delivering behavioral insights and recommendations, ensuring interventions are not only well-timed but also subtle and capable of supporting an ongoing user-system relationship built on trust and voluntary engagement; and (4) empirical testing in ecologically valid environments, including experiments that collect sleep and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness, generalizability, and long-term behavioral impact.

Equal emphasis will be placed on (1) advancing theoretical models of behavior change, sleep regulation, and performance adaptation and (2) developing AI/ML systems and communication strategies for delivering behavioral nudges.

This topic focuses on sleep behavior due to its broad applicability to the general population, its foundational role in human performance, and the relative ease and reliability of measurement. Proposed efforts should aim to develop generalizable algorithms that integrate complex mathematical modeling and ML with cognitive-behavioral theory to drive adaptive behavioral interventions. These interventions must be compatible with existing wearable and embedded sensor ecosystems – this topic explicitly does not aim to develop new hardware, but instead to maximize the utility of currently available commercial sensors as inputs to a personalized, adaptive nudging system.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Advancing Human Modeling Tools for Enhanced Performance and Survivability in Austere Environments - STTR Topic DON26TZ01-NV015

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $240,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop an advanced suite of parametric human modeling tools incorporating USN/USMC aircrew anthropometric databases, empirical posture data, and 3D scans.

Description:

The goal of this STTR topic is to leverage newly available data and advances in digital human modeling to improve modeling fidelity for USN/USMC and other DOW aircrew to improve acquisition outcomes. Resulting improvements to operational and environmentally appropriate protective clothing and equipment size, design, and tariffing (i.e., determination of how much of each size needs to be procured and distributed) will yield significant benefits to Fleet readiness and sustainment, safety, performance, protection, and affordability.

Digital Human Modeling (DHM) applications and tools are used to design and assess items for the DOW including protective clothing, footwear, body armor, flight equipment (e.g., helmets, oxygen masks, survival vests, G-suits, torso harnesses, etc.), seating, restraint systems, workstations, cockpits, controls, ground vehicles, and much more. Using this technology early in the product lifecycle is essential to reducing development cost and schedule and informing design tradeoff decisions. Historically, use of DHM has been subject to a variety of limitations that affect model fidelity, which is how well the model represents reality. These limitations result in reduced utility of the technology when the limitations are understood, but more concerning are the potential adverse outcomes where the limitations have either not been understood or have been ignored. This is concerning for all types of design applications, but especially problematic in aviation where safety of flight is crucial. There is an abundance of feedback from aircrew regarding poor fit or lack of availability of the sizes of protective clothing and operational equipment they need. They experience pain and injury, reducing performance and impacting readiness. There is now the potential to exponentially improve DHM capabilities due to a variety of advances in 3D scanning, model development, and availability of aircrew population specific anthropometric data and empirical posture data representing real-world conditions for military aircrew.

Limitations to current DHM capabilities related to the users include issues with intuitiveness of the tools, the degree of expertise required for effective use, and the significant amount of time it takes to develop expertise. There is a shortage of expert users in both the DOW and industry. Manikins used in DHM analysis are commonly selected from built-in software libraries with inappropriate anthropometric measurements for the population and/or design being evaluated. DHM users with a poor understanding of anthropometry often fail to consider the multivariate nature of anthropometric accommodation ignoring the need to consider more than one measurement at a time and neglecting the critical interactions of the measurements. Users positioning/posturing manikins routinely use guesswork in the absence of empirical data to account for clothing and flight equipment, restraint systems, cushion compression, flesh compression, and postural variation. They often have a limited understanding of aircrew operations and/or environment leading to incorrect assumptions when setting up their models.

For some DHMs the anthropometric measurements that can be adjusted are not the ones that matter for design application and the underlying anthropometric data used in the application may not represent the target population. Multivariate use cases have been developed and in use on DOW aircraft acquisition programs since the mid-90s [Ref 1], but manikins representing the use cases are often not included in DHM manikin libraries causing users to default to inappropriate use of the manikins that are available. Until recently, the only USN/USMC aircrew anthropometric data available was from a 1960s database that did not include women. Currently, there are no DHM applications that include USN/USMC aircrew anthropometric data or associated multivariate use cases.

Another important consideration is that the commercially available DHM applications allow for analysis of one or more manikins, to include a family of multivariate use cases, but do not allow for parametric modeling of an entire population needed to accurately quantify the accommodation levels of a design.

The NAWCAD Human Systems Engineering Department has recently completed an aircrew/aviator anthropometric survey and is also collaborating with the USAF on the Seat Specific Posture Model (SSPM) Project to collect empirical posture data to improve modeling fidelity. This project was initially intended for the purpose of developing an aviation specific postural analysis tool in the RAMSIS DHM but will be useful for other applications as well. One example that this STTR topic proposes is that this aircrew data be used in in the development of aviation-specific parametric accommodation models. The US Army has successfully developed this type of modeling tool for ground vehicles with a great many advantages to their acquisition programs and alleviation of many of the limitations documented above [Refs 2,3,4].

There have also been significant advances to head, hand, and body models that can be leveraged to greatly improve DHM state of the art and acquisition outcomes [Refs 5-11]. Integration of aircrew-specific anthropometric and 3D scan databases would ensure modeling efforts reflect the intended population. Aviators are a distinctly different population and appropriate representation of them in modeling applications is essential. Model input parameters can be adjusted to represent the goals of the modeling effort (i.e., desired accommodation levels and target population or subpopulation) with adjustable demographic variables such as sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Modeling tools can incorporate the ability to consider not only traditional 2D anthropometric measurements, but 3D shape and/or non-traditional measurements with the goal of improving size design and fit prediction [Refs 12, 13]. Through new and affordable 3D body scanning technologies [Refs 14,15], it is possible for an individual’s specific anthropometry as well as their feedback on fit and preferred size to be run through an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to allow for ongoing improvements in size design, fit prediction, and tariffing. There have been advances in the development of head models that do not include hair artifacts [Ref 16], an important consideration in design. Improvements of head and hand models for dynamic or functional fit can improve the ability to digitally evaluate if masks maintain a seal when pilots talk or change facial expression and if gloves are designed appropriately for all pilot tasks, not just one static hand position. Posable manikins representing intended individuals or populations (multivariate use cases) can be easily customized and imported into any CAD environment or DHM software application for a variety of uses.

It is important to note that the proposed tools are meant to be supplemental not duplicative of other modeling tools currently available or in development. Having these proposed modeling tools be interoperable or integrated with existing or emerging tools is highly desirable. What makes these tools unique from existing/emerging modeling tools:

Inclusion of USN/USMC aircrew anthropometric databases and 3D scans.

Inclusion of SSPM project aircrew posture and reach data.

Solution is not computationally and/or time prohibitive to use.

Fills a gap in providing a solution that does not require an artisan modeler to make use of the models (easy to learn, simple user interface).

Leveraging existing models/methods for expeditious transition.

Models to be exported in common file formats to be interoperable with a broad range of CAD/DHM applications. No specific software applications are required.

Not strictly PPE focused but also applicable to clothing design.

Includes accommodation modeling tool for aircraft cockpits and workstations.

Will represent digital twins of individuals like other modeling tools, but will also provide population virtual assessment of fit, size design, tariffing recommendations, and report population accommodation levels.

Will allow for principal component analysis on a population and representation of boundary cases customized for specific applications.

Includes ability to import anthropometric data for a group of participants and create bivariate plots for visual comparison to aircrew population data.

Models will be web-hosted and freely/easily available to DOW civilians and contractors.

Intention is to have web-hosted instructional materials, user forum, document library, and subject matter expert information to encourage best practices and collaboration.

Framework will be built in to allow import of other population databases so other military populations including foreign military partners can be represented.

The proposed suite of tools would need to be easy to use, affordable, and easily accessed (e.g., hosted webapps and/or downloadable standalone applications) to facilitate practitioner usage and standardization. Accompanying guidance in the form of teaching materials, a user forum, links to relevant papers and reports, and a registry for subject matter experts and facilities wishing to be listed would be beneficial inclusions. The ability to create visualizations should also be considered. Allowing the import of anthropometry in a .CSV file for overlay with existing anthropometric databases in the form of bivariate plots of key anthropometric measurements is extremely helpful for population comparisons as well as confirming that human participants used for physical assessments adequately represent the target population. This proposed effort also seeks to put a framework in place that will allow incorporation of data from other populations and use of the models for other applications and users to include the entire DOW, foreign military partners, NASA, industry, and academia.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Development of Wearable Device for Detecting Biomarkers and Treating Viral and Bacterial Infections - SBIR DHA26BZ01-NV004

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a non-invasive wearable device that can discretely detect biomarkers for and provide initial broad-spectrum treatment for pan-viral and pan-bacterial infections. If fielded for military use, it may require additional security measures.

Description:

The DHA Strategic Research Plan (SRP): Environmental Exposures (June 2024) lists two capability requirements under the “Assess” and “Treat” capability areas that align with this proposal: Environmental Detection and Health Risk Assessments under Assess and Environmental Exposures Treatment under Treat. In addition, the DHA SRP: Military Infectious Diseases (May 2024) lists three capability requirements under the “Prevent”, “Treat”, and “Enable” capability areas that align with this proposal: Prevention of Military Relevant Endemic and Emerging Infectious Diseases under Prevent, Treatment of Military Relevant Endemic and Emerging Infectious Diseases under Treat, and Core Competencies under Enable.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is looking for an advanced, non-invasive (does not break the skin or physically enter the body) wearable device (i.e., flash/continuous glucose style monitoring) capable of qualitatively detecting all-viral and all-bacterial infections using discrete biomarkers for such infections: TRAIL, MxA, CD46, IP-10, PTX3, or other non-blood based biomarkers (saliva, sweat, etc.) for viral infections and CRP, PCT, IL-6, IL-8, CD35, CD55, CD64, pro-ADM, or other non-blood based biomarkers (saliva, sweat, etc.) for bacterial infections. The end goal is a wearable device that discretely detects viral and bacterial infections and renders initial, broad-spectrum anti-viral or anti-bacterial treatment(s) at austere operational environments where no immediate medical countermeasures and no other detection capabilities are available until casualties are evacuated to locations with more robust medical resources for additional and specific differentiation and treatment. At a higher echelon of care, medical personnel must be able to receive data from the device to find out what category of threats (viral or bacterial) has triggered a biomarker detection and what corresponding treatments have been rendered to the affected force before providing more advanced care.

By continuously monitoring validated biomarkers, this device will empower warfighters to detect and respond to biological threats early, enhancing their survivability and operational effectiveness in high-threat theaters and mitigating risks to mission and force. This Air Force Medical Command initiative improves force health protection and ensures mission success. Dual-use functionality of this technology will focus on civilian healthcare systems.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Detection and Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury in Military Working Dogs - SBIR DHA26BZ01-NV002

Disclaimer:
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.

Sign up below to be notified as soon as this topic is released again. In the meantime, we’d recommend you start planning to respond if within your capabilities.

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Evaluate previously developed traumatic brain injury (TBI) detection and treatments methods that can be repurposed for use in military working dogs (MWDs) after suffering from battlefield injuries.

Description:

This topic is in support of the DoD Working Dog Strategic Research Plan concerning mitigation, strategies, and treatments for the detection and treatment of TBI.1 Due to the high-risk nature of MWD operations, TBI is a common injury. TBI in the MWD carries an extremely high mortality rate with a prehospital mortality of over 40% for severe TBI cases. It is estimated that 25-40% of all MWD trauma cases are accompanied by TBI, but there is limited data concerning the short- and long-term effects of TBI on the performance and health of the MWD. Current clinical detection methods for TBI in the MWD are by the observation of altered mentation (coma, stupor, depression, lethargy, inappropriate behavior or responses) of the MWD and by use of the modified veterinary Glasgow coma scale or with physical evidence of head trauma (e.g., lacerations, abrasions, bruising, swelling, pain, bleeding from the nose or ears). Current treatment guidelines for TBI in MWDs are largely based on treatment recommendations for humans and are primarily supportive measures to maintain blood pressure, oxygen levels, proper ventilation, and body temperature to mitigate secondary injuries2,3,4. There have been many TBI detection methods and treatment strategies developed for humans that have shown promising results in rodent and large animal models5. The objective of this SBIR is to review research that was performed in rodents, canines, or other large animal models that could be repurposed for the detection and treatment of TBI specifically in MWDs. This research topic does not support the use of canines for testing purposes. Any animal testing would require use of suitable animal model that would approximate the response of a canine.

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.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below: