DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV002: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV002 (OPALS) is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a ruggedized, compactly packaged optical beam control system for airborne high energy lasers, replacing the flat optical bench approach. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Phase II prototype targets a government-furnished laser up to about 20 kW, while the concept must scale to an operational system of at least 300 kW.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV002
• Title: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: beam control, high energy laser, opto-mechanical packaging
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Airborne laser systems face vibration, shock, temperature, and pressure swings that degrade conventional optics. A beam control system must sense and correct platform disturbances, acquire and track targets, and compensate for atmospheric and aero-optical effects, all with demanding pointing and line-of-sight stabilization.

This topic is about the internal optical system, not new turrets or outer moldlines. The Government expects designs to perform all functions in its canonical beam control layout (Reference 1 on DSIP) or to justify any deviations, and to prioritize ease of alignment, line replaceable units, beam path conditioning, and non-shedding materials that avoid foreign object damage.

Areas the Government anticipates include ruggedized optical design and materials, robust packaging and assembly, novel vibration-tolerant architectures, advanced thermo-mechanical materials, additive manufacturing and precision micro-assembly, and passive and active athermalization.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops the basic concept for the beam control mounting structure, models initial performance, and estimates size and weight. Expect numerous trade studies and design excursions. Concepts should be as platform agnostic as feasible, and the Government will provide representative vibration spectra.

Phase II develops, integrates, and tests the packaged beam control prototype with a government-furnished laser up to 20 kW in ground and airborne laboratory tests, working with AFRL on interfaces and requirements. AFRL's Airborne Laser System Integration Laboratory may host a demonstration.

Phase III scales the design to a beam control subsystem for a large, operationally relevant aircraft with a transition partner and a laser of at least 300 kW.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Phase I award maximum duration: 6 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 20 pages or slides.
• Technical and Business Assistance (TABA): DAF will provide up to $6,500 per Phase I award, in addition to the topic award amount. The detailed TABA request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I research or analytical work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic rather than several variations.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Opto-mechanical engineering firms with space, airborne ISR, or precision instrument packaging experience are the strongest fit. Directed energy component suppliers looking to move up to subsystem level should also take a look.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV002?

DAF27BZ01-NV002, Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS), is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a ruggedized, compact beam control optical system for airborne high energy lasers.

How much funding is available?

Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over up to 6 months. The DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase I award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Volume 2 is limited to 20 pages or slides for this topic. Pages beyond the limit are not considered.

Does this topic fund new turret designs?

No. The topic focuses on optimizing the packaging and performance of the internal beam control optics, not new outer moldlines or turrets.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV001: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV001 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to build a fast, physics-based engineering model of the hydrodynamic spurt in fluid cavity created jets. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, with a 20 page technical volume. The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Hydrocodes can already simulate the spurt, but they are too slow for design iteration. The Air Force wants a validated reduced-order model that predicts spurt velocity, mass, and geometry orders of magnitude faster.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software
• Keywords: warhead, engineering model, hydrodynamic spurt
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

The spurt is the initial, often unsteady ejection of material from the liner that comes before the main, stable jet forms. Predicting it accurately as a function of liner material, geometry, and threat characteristics matters for designing and optimizing advanced warheads.

The Air Force wants a computationally efficient engineering-level model, analytical or semi-empirical, validated against high-fidelity simulation and experimental data, that can sit inside warhead design toolchains.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I identifies and analyzes the physical mechanisms behind spurt formation using literature and high-fidelity hydrocode runs, develops a preliminary analytical or semi-empirical framework, and demonstrates feasibility on a baseline shaped charge design. The final report covers the model's theoretical basis and a proof-of-concept correlation with high-fidelity simulation data for at least one configuration.

Phase II turns the model into a robust software prototype, expands it across liner materials, geometries, and explosive types, and validates it against a matrix of existing or new experimental data. The tool must be orders of magnitude faster than full hydrocode runs.

Phase III hardens the software for DoD warhead design toolchains with training and support for government and prime contractor teams. Dual-use markets include high-speed metal forming, explosive welding, and industrial perforation.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Phase I award maximum duration: 6 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 20 pages or slides.
• Technical and Business Assistance (TABA): DAF will provide up to $6,500 per Phase I award, in addition to the topic award amount. The detailed TABA request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I research or analytical work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic rather than several variations.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

This fits small firms and university spinouts with shock physics, hydrocode, and reduced-order modeling expertise, particularly those who have worked with shaped charge or explosively formed penetrator problems.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV001?

DAF27BZ01-NV001, Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a fast, validated reduced-order model of the hydrodynamic spurt in fluid cavity created jets for warhead design.

How much funding is available?

Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over up to 6 months. The DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase I award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Volume 2 is limited to 20 pages or slides for this topic. Pages beyond the limit are not considered.

What should Phase I deliver?

A theoretical framework for the model and a final report showing proof-of-concept correlation with high-fidelity hydrocode data for at least one baseline shaped charge configuration.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV013: Advanced Reserve Power Source Technologies

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV013 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for weapon reserve power sources that meet or beat current thermal battery performance. Targets include 20+ year storage life, activation to full voltage within 600 ms, 5+ minutes of activated life, at least 40 Wh/kg (goal above 100 Wh/kg), and pulse power of at least 2.5 kW/kg over 60 seconds. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Safety is non-negotiable. Lithium chemistries must show no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010 test conditions because of the NOSSA certification path for ordnance.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV013
• Title: Advanced Reserve Power Source Technologies
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Materials; Emerging Threat Reduction; Hypersonics
• Keywords: weapons power source, reserve battery, thermal battery, electrochemical power source, specific energy, specific power
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Air Force Armament Directorate programs need power for avionics, guidance, and ordnance initiation across the full flight profile. Thermally activated reserve batteries risk obsolescence as power and energy requirements rise, and other chemistries suffer failure modes, short storage life, or a poor fit to weapon requirements.

Power and energy density is the primary objective, with affordability, safety, and reliability close behind. The source must stay inert and maintenance free in storage for 20+ years without inadvertent activation and survive shock, vibration, and MIL-HDBK-310 1 percent hot and cold temperatures across carriage, high-speed free flight, and storage.

Performance targets

• Storage life of 20+ years with no maintenance or significant energy loss.
• Rise to full voltage within 600 ms of activation and 5+ minutes of activated life.
• Specific energy of at least 40 Wh/kg, with a goal above 100 Wh/kg.
• Pulse power averaging at least 2.5 kW/kg, with a goal above 5 kW/kg, over 60 seconds.
• Inherently safe with no thermal runaway; lithium designs must show no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Prior work must identify candidate materials, technologies, and designs with the rationale for each and supporting performance data.

Phase II delivers a prototype power source providing 2.5 kW/kg for 60 seconds, performance characterization including captive carry and free flight shock and vibration (Wh/kg, Wh/L, power, temperature range, safety), and a manufacturing assessment of a concept design. Government data may be provided after selection.

Phase III ranges from qualification to possible program of record transition, with production in the hundreds to thousands. Named PEO customers include AFLCMC/EB, Army PEO M&S TAGM, Navy PMA-242, and SOCOM.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Thermal battery makers, reserve battery developers, and advanced electrochemistry startups with storage-stable, high-power designs are the right audience. Companies focused on rechargeable lithium for commercial markets should look hard at the no-venting requirement before committing.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV013?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for advanced reserve power sources for weapons with high specific energy and power, 20+ year storage, and inherent safety.

What are the key performance targets?

Full voltage within 600 ms, 5+ minutes of activated life, at least 40 Wh/kg with a goal above 100 Wh/kg, and pulse power of at least 2.5 kW/kg over 60 seconds.

Can lithium chemistries compete?

Yes, but lithium battery technologies must demonstrate no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010 test conditions to support NOSSA certification.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV012: Agile Autonomous Technical Data Package to Path Robotic Task Specification

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV012 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for software that ingests Technical Data Packages (3D CAD, 2D drawings, BOMs, and text specifications), extracts engineering intent such as GD&T, and automatically generates collision-free robotic inspection paths without manual waypoint programming. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

This is a software topic. Building the physical manipulator is out of scope. The goal is to cut quality inspection programming from days to under two hours and reach TRL 6 to 7.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV012
• Title: Agile Autonomous Technical Data Package to Path Robotic Task Specification
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software; Advanced Manufacturing; Hypersonics; Space Technology; Sustainment and Logistics; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: autonomous path planning, technical data package, automated inspection, enterprise data ingestion, semantic feature extraction, digital manufacturing
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Robotic inspection lines still depend on specialists manually teaching waypoints and running trial-and-error collision tests in vendor-specific tools. As defense systems move to modular, rapidly changing, low-cost attritable designs, that model does not scale.

The Air Force wants an intelligent layer that parses multi-format TDP data, binds tolerances to locations on the 3D geometry in a standardized data model, simulates the inspection virtually, and deploys executable commands to mobile robotic manipulators from multiple vendors. A no-code operator interface with human-in-the-loop review is required.

Benchmarks and use cases

• Setup time for novel manufacturing configurations under 8 hours.
• Numerical programming time under 1.5 hours.
• Native ingestion of STEP, IGES, drawings, PDF specification sheets, and text process blocks without manual pre-formatting.
• Use case 1: rapid line reconfiguration for modular or short-run parts such as autonomous collaborative platform and unmanned aircraft structures.
• Use case 2: multi-vendor kinematic adaptation across serial arms on mobile carts or tracked bases, abstracted from OEM programming languages.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic requires proof that you own or hold rights to the algorithmic baseline and evidence in three areas: ingestion and semantic interpretation, a standardized data architecture binding dimensions to CAD nodes, and kinematic and simulation mechanics. Acceptable evidence includes technical reports, OCR and parsing accuracy data, architecture models, path generation run-time benchmarks, and defined prototype success criteria. Missing quantitative proof makes the proposal ineligible.

Phase II hardens the platform and validates it on representative aerospace assembly geometries, ending with a software-driven execution demo in high-fidelity simulation or on physical hardware in a pilot production setting.

Phase III commercializes to program offices, the industrial base, and dual-use manufacturers.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Manufacturing software, CAD-to-robot, and inspection automation companies with working parsing and path planning engines are well matched. Teams that only have the robotics side or only the document AI side should consider teaming before this deadline.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV012?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for software that turns Technical Data Packages into autonomous, collision-free robotic inspection paths.

Do I need to build a robot?

No. Design and fabrication of the physical manipulator is out of scope. The work is translating TDPs into robot-ingestible task specifications and paths.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What happens if my feasibility evidence is weak?

The topic states that failing to provide rigorous, quantitative proof of a functioning baseline that bridges data ingestion with path computation results in a determination of technical non-conformance and ineligibility.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR, and foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV011: Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV011 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a modular, single-arm robotic workcell that autonomously routes, aligns, inserts, and verifies flexible wire harnesses and connectors inside unmanned aerial systems and munitions. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The bar is specific: insertion accuracy of 0.5 mm or better, at least 2x cycle time improvement, at least 50 percent fewer skilled labor hours per unit, retasking to a new harness family in under 8 hours, and a machine-readable digital thread for every step. Applicants need a TRL 4 baseline.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV011
• Title: Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Manufacturing; Hypersonics; Space Technology; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: robotic wire routing, deformable material manipulation, autonomous harness installation, single-arm workcell, blind-mate connector insertion, tactile feedback, computer vision alignment
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Wire harness routing and connector insertion are the largest automation gap in UAS and munitions production. Flexible cabling deforms unpredictably, so hard-tooled robotics fail, and manual work limits surge capacity and introduces latent defects such as partially seated connectors and overstressed wires.

The Air Force wants a COTS collaborative arm on a reconfigurable base, with interchangeable end-effectors, local real-time compute, and a vision, tactile, and force-torque sensor stack. It must combine offline CAD-driven path planning with real-time adaptive control and human-like search and settle behavior for blind-mate insertions. The primary use case is wiring for the Franklin Affordable Mass Missile (FAMM) and Coyote missile families, with demonstrations at defense prime manufacturing sites.

Minimum deliverables

• One integrated single-arm robotic workcell with the full multi-modal sensor stack.
• Unencumbered delivery of the software stack, including CAD ingestion, adaptive control, and vision-tactile tracking.
• A cross-program retasking report showing a switch between two harness families in under 8 hours.
• A technical data package with schematics, interface control documents, manuals, and MES/ERP integration guides.
• A final performance report from a live prime facility demonstration validating accuracy, force profiles, throughput, labor savings, and the digital thread.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Expected evidence includes empirical lab data and test logs from prior robotic manipulation of flexible parts, closeout reports from non-SBIR federal, academic, or internally funded flexible assembly work (the topic cites ARM Institute style projects), and an existing physical or digital single-arm prototype that runs on a cloud-independent edge loop at TRL 4 or higher.

Phase II integrates and validates the workcell in the lab, then in live TRL 7 pilot production testing at prime contractor facilities.

Phase III commercializes to government program offices, the industrial base, and dual-use manufacturers.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Robotics startups working on deformable object manipulation, cable routing, or tactile sensing are the target, especially those with existing industrial pilots. A partnership letter from a defense prime or UAS manufacturer willing to host the demonstration will strengthen the proposal considerably.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV011?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an agile single-arm robotic workcell that autonomously installs flexible wire harnesses and connectors in UAS and munitions.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What performance targets matter most?

Insertion accuracy of 0.5 mm or better, at least 2x throughput over manual work, at least 50 percent labor hour reduction, retasking in under 8 hours, and full digital thread traceability.

What starting maturity is required?

A validated proof-of-concept software and mechanical baseline at TRL 4 or higher, supported by empirical data rather than concepts.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV010: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV010 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air Force wants a rugged, kilowatt-class 2-micron fiber amplifier module that matches the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of today's state-of-the-art 1-micron systems, to move laboratory technology toward directed energy programs. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Phase II must deliver physical hardware verified at more than 1 kW output, beam quality M2 below 1.2, linewidth under 5 GHz, and electro-optical efficiency above 25 percent.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV010
• Title: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: directed energy, laser weapon system, low SWaP, electro-optical efficiency, power scaling, 2 micron high-power fiber amplifier
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

High-power fiber lasers in the 2-micron band offer eye-safer directed energy, advanced sensing, and precision materials processing. Kilowatt-class narrow-linewidth thulium-doped fiber amplifiers have been demonstrated, but they are not yet as compact as mature 1-micron amplifiers.

The Air Force wants to leverage existing laboratory architectures to prime industry for production of robust 2-micron fiber amplifiers and to pave the way for transition into active directed energy programs.

Phase II verification targets

• Output power greater than 1 kW.
• Beam quality M2 less than 1.2.
• Narrow linewidth less than 5 GHz, with spectral stability.
• Electro-optical efficiency greater than 25 percent.
• Low SWaP consistent with state-of-the-art 1-micron fiber amplifiers.
• Deliverables: the physical prototype, complete electrical and optical schematics, and a full test and characterization report.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic asks for documentation of high-power 2-micron amplifier design, thermal management in constrained spaces, and ruggedized packaging. Qualifying Phase I type work includes prior design, development, and demonstration of low SWaP, kilowatt-class 1-micron fiber amplifier modules.

Phase II builds, verifies in the lab, and delivers the 2-micron prototype against the metrics above.

Phase III moves the design into full-rate production, opens commercial markets, and integrates the amplifier into a deployable multi-kW laser defense system for environmental validation.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Fiber laser companies already shipping compact kilowatt-class 1-micron modules are the clearest fit, along with thulium fiber specialists who have solved packaging and thermal problems. Medical and industrial 2-micron laser makers can also use this as a defense on-ramp.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV010?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a rugged, kilowatt-class 2-micron fiber amplifier with SWaP comparable to state-of-the-art 1-micron systems for directed energy.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What performance must the prototype meet?

Output above 1 kW, M2 below 1.2, linewidth under 5 GHz with spectral stability, and electro-optical efficiency above 25 percent, verified in the lab.

Does 1-micron experience count as feasibility?

Yes. The topic says qualifying Phase I type efforts include prior design, development, and demonstration of low SWaP, kilowatt-class 1-micron fiber amplifier modules.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV007: Reusable Illumination System

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV007 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air Force needs a modern, reusable replacement for the PF300 flash bulb, which provides high-intensity illumination for high-speed video on the Holloman High Speed Test Track and other sled tracks and is no longer in production. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months. The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

No Phase I awards will be made. The ideal solution leverages commercial off-the-shelf or near-COTS lighting technology that must be adapted to the unique test track environment, so firms with proven high-intensity illumination products and ruggedization experience are best positioned.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV007
• Title: Reusable Illumination System
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Materials; Hypersonics
• Keywords: illumination, photo-optic, hypersonic, sled test
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

The 846th Test Squadron relies on PF300 flash bulbs for the light needed to capture high-speed photo-optic data during sled tests. With the bulbs out of production, the Air Force faces an obsolescence problem and a recurring consumable cost. It wants a small business to engineer, design, and manufacture a robust, reusable system that meets or surpasses the illumination and performance of the original bulbs and integrates with existing high-speed video systems.

The topic notes that prior Phase I type work by other companies has produced similar illumination methods, but not to the requirements of the test track environment. The technology exists; what does not exist is a product built for that operating environment. The Test Track is ready to define requirements including illumination levels, illumination duration, connectivity, and ruggedness.

Upside capabilities the Air Force calls out include adjustable light intensity and longer duration illumination for better high-speed video data quality.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Your feasibility package should show a working illumination approach and the engineering judgment to adapt it to sled test conditions.

Phase II develops a detailed design and operational procedures for a prototype reusable illumination system that meets requirements set by 846 TS customers. Component level prototypes are built and tested first to retire risk, and the effort culminates in a demonstration of an operational reusable illumination sled on the test track that shows both performance and reusability.

Phase III refines the design from Phase II lessons learned so the system is ready for operational use at HHSTT and other DoW test tracks, through non-SBIR funded R&D or production contracts.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

This topic suits lighting, strobe, and high-speed imaging companies with a COTS or near-COTS high-intensity source that can be ruggedized for shock, vibration, and sled test conditions. If your strength is optics research without a product baseline, a Direct to Phase II topic is a hard place to start.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV007?

DAF27BZ01-DV007, Reusable Illumination System, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. It seeks a reusable replacement for the out-of-production PF300 flash bulb used for high-speed video on the Holloman High Speed Test Track and other sled tracks.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months. The DAF may also provide up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase II award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

Can I submit a Phase I proposal?

No. This is a Direct to Phase II topic and no Phase I awards will be made. You must document completed Phase I type feasibility that is not based on prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR. You must disclose any proposed foreign nationals, their countries of origin, visa type, and assigned tasks, and their participation may be restricted.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV008: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV008 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air and Space Force want a secure, scalable way to modernize Technical Data Packages (TDPs) for complex platforms: encrypted configuration management of the as-sustained state, web-based Model-Based Definition (MBD) visualization, automated information assurance compliance checks, and Zero Trust aligned data exchange. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, and the topic closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The topic expects a starting TRL of about 4 and a minimum of TRL 6 by the end of Phase II, validated in a relevant operational environment. No Phase I awards will be made.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV008
• Title: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Trusted AI and Autonomy; Sustainment and Logistics; Advanced Manufacturing
• Keywords: technical data packages, information assurance, secure data exchange, trusted AI, digital twin, model-based definition, configuration management, zero trust architecture
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Current TDP systems often lack strong information assurance, tight integration with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environments, and secure ways to exchange data across operational networks. That weakens configuration control and data integrity and raises cyber risk, especially as platforms move to MBD and digital twins.

The Air Force wants a functional prototype that integrates advanced IA protocols, cryptographic protections, and encrypted exchange tools to manage the as-sustained configuration of critical assets, aligned with Trusted AI and Autonomy priorities and DoD Zero Trust Architecture. The topic ties the work to Operational Imperative 7, Readiness to Deploy and Fight.

Minimum deliverables named in the topic

• A secure web-based MBD visualization prototype that renders large-scale geometry and TDP datasets with sub-second response times and role-based access controls.
• Encrypted configuration management and secure as-sustained state maintenance tools integrated with PLM systems.
• An automated, rules-based framework for data quality checks and IA compliance validation of TDPs.
• A cryptographic data transfer and exchange framework with test results showing alignment with DoD security policy and successful inter-organizational exchange.
• AI/ML methods for secure damage detection, sustainment planning, and asset health insight.
• Technical documentation, a transition plan for Air and Space Force platforms, and a commercialization strategy.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic lists acceptable evidence such as validated data, performance metrics, technical reports, prototype success, or demonstrated capability in relevant operational environments, along with alignment to Trusted AI and Zero Trust standards.

Phase II delivers the secure, scalable TDP modernization prototype at TRL 6 with validated performance in operational environments.

Phase III uses non-SBIR funds to reach TRL 8 and integrate with Air and Space Force systems. Commercial markets include aerospace, manufacturing, and defense industries that need data security and configuration management.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Strong fits include PLM, digital thread, and secure engineering data companies that already handle large CAD and MBD datasets and can show encryption, access control, and Zero Trust patterns working at scale. Pure cybersecurity firms without engineering data experience, or PLM firms without IA depth, should consider teaming.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV008?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to modernize Technical Data Packages with stronger information assurance, encrypted configuration management, MBD visualization, and Zero Trust aligned secure data exchange.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested in Volume 5.

What TRL does the topic expect?

The project is anticipated to start around TRL 4 and reach at least TRL 6 by the end of Phase II, with core capabilities validated in a relevant operational environment.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR, and foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.

Can I use prior SBIR work as feasibility?

No. Feasibility documentation cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV009: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV009 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to establish domestic production of an AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) yielding preceramic polymer. UHTCs are used in propulsion and aeroshell components, and scaled C/C-UHTC composite production needs precursor supply at volume and an affordable price. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

This is a chemical manufacturing scale-up topic. The Air Force wants a dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month and 75 kg of qualified polymer delivered by the end of Phase II.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV009
• Title: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Hypersonics
• Keywords: preceramic polymer, ultra-high temperature ceramics, UHTC, precursors, ceramic matrix composites, CMC, scaled production
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Acquisition programs that rely on UHTC matrix composites need precursor material in quantities and at prices the high-temperature composite community can actually buy. The Air Force wants a U.S. small business to take an AFRL-patented chemistry and turn it into a safe, robust, scalable production process.

The topic sets cost context: offerors can assume $6,300 per kg in raw material cost if reagents are bought from commercial suppliers, and the target business case is more than 1,000 kg per year at a retail price under $5,000 per kg, preferably under $4,000 per kg.

Phase II deliverables named in the topic

• A documented, safe, robust, scalable manufacturing process that meets purity and production volume targets.
• A safety and handling analysis for all reagents, intermediates, and waste, with facilities that meet safety and environmental requirements.
• Five 1 kg samples to AFRL with NMR, elemental analysis, rheology, and ICP/MS on the polymer and XRD, TEM/EDS, and SEM on the polymer-derived ceramic for each lot.
• A dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month (more than 600 kg per year).
• 75 kg of qualified, packaged UHTC preceramic polymer delivered by the end of Phase II.
• A cost analysis and business plan for more than 1,000 kg per year at under $5,000 per kg.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic asks for a feasibility study showing expertise in synthesizing and handling air and water sensitive compounds, demonstrated experience scaling chemical synthesis from lab to pilot scale (for example 5 to 50 kg batches), past success producing high-purity materials, and a working command of safety protocols for the relevant precursors and reagents.

Phase II executes the production scale-up and deliveries listed above.

Phase III turns the production line into a commercial business unit supplying certified polymer to primes and Tier 1 and Tier 2 composite manufacturers, potentially with further scaling, broader vendor qualification for high-speed aeroshells, and long-term supply agreements.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

This is a strong fit for specialty chemical and precursor manufacturers with air-sensitive synthesis experience and pilot-scale equipment, or for ceramic composite suppliers ready to backward-integrate. Firms without existing scale-up data will struggle to clear the feasibility bar.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV009?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to establish U.S. production of an AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic yielding preceramic polymer for hypersonic and aerospace composites.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What production rate is required?

A dedicated capability yielding at least 50 kg per month, more than 600 kg per year, plus delivery of 75 kg of qualified polymer by the end of Phase II.

What feasibility evidence does the Air Force want?

Expertise synthesizing and handling air and water sensitive compounds, demonstrated lab to pilot scale-up such as 5 to 50 kg batches, past high-purity production, and knowledge of the needed safety protocols.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

IARPA Solutions Marketplace (IARPAOT26001): Video Pitch Pathway for AI, Cyber, and IC Solutions

What is the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

The IARPA Solutions Marketplace (Announcement IARPAOT26001) is a long-term open call where companies pitch Intelligence Community (IC) relevant solutions through a five-minute video. The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) runs it with its marketplace manager, The Applied Research Institute (ARI).

Solutions rated "awardable" by a peer panel are considered post-competitive. That means IC agencies, and federal agencies that share the relevant authorities, can view, negotiate, and award them without running a new competition.

For AI, cybersecurity, and dual-use founders, this is a low-cost way to get in front of IC customers. One video pitch can lead to multiple awards across multiple agencies for research, prototyping, test and evaluation, and even production.

Key dates and funding

• Open period: August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027
• Monthly cutoffs: submissions are collected each calendar month and close at 12:00 noon Eastern on the last day of the month. Late submissions roll into the next month.
• Next cutoff: October 31, 2026 at 12:00 noon Eastern
• Results: within 30 days after each monthly collection period closes (subject to submission volume)
• Funding: award amounts are not published. Payment, IP and data rights, schedule, milestones, and pricing are all negotiable, with flexible funding ceilings and durations.
• Marketplace listing: awardable solutions stay in the Marketplace for 24 months

IARPA recommends submitting at least three business days before a monthly cutoff so you have time to fix any compliance issues.

Who is eligible?

All US-based companies can participate, including small and large businesses, traditional and nontraditional contractors, and new entrants. Universities, nonprofits, and individuals are also eligible. Foreign universities, research institutions, and entities may submit if the submission complies with export laws in both their home country and the United States.

A SAM.gov registration is not required to submit. If you already have a Unique Entity ID (UEI), you enter it on the submission form, and your organization name should match your SAM.gov profile. Small businesses are automatically treated as nontraditional contractors.

What focus areas is IARPA looking for?

Pitches must fit at least one of IARPA's current strategic focus areas. Several are directly relevant to AI and machine learning companies.

1. Secure Communications

Non-attributable, secure, two-way communications built on commodity devices and infrastructure, with low probability of detection and the ability to work in many countries.

2. Cyber and Super Intelligence (SI) Security

Data poisoning detection, run-time evasion defense, protecting model weights from distillation or theft, agentic cyber defense, secure AI supply chains and compute clusters, federated learning, autonomous patch generation and verification, red teaming and benchmarking, and attribution of uncontrolled agentic systems.

3. Automating the Business of Research and Development

Tools that speed up federal R&D programs outside the research itself: generating and vetting program ideas, assessing technologies, accelerating contracting, automating test and evaluation, monitoring portfolio health, tracking impact, and automating declassification and sanitization.

4. Biometric Recognition and Multimodal Privacy Preservation

Recognizing individuals in unconstrained imagery, video, text, and audio, detecting spoofing, real-time speech anonymization, and generating text that cannot be traced to its author.

5. Economic Security

Automating review of foreign investment in US businesses, resolving ultimate beneficial ownership from noisy data, link analysis between entities, and finding chokepoints in the Intelligence Industrial Base.

6. Power and Energy Solutions

Novel batteries, energy harvesting, power for extreme environments, low-signature ruggedized energy systems, and resilient power in austere settings.

7. Agentic Super Intelligence Infrastructure, Integration, and Governance

Agentic control planes and orchestration, integration through Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent-to-Agent (A2A), and APIs, identity and policy controls for agents, secure model gateways, agent memory and state across federated environments, audit and provenance capture, and agent red teaming, containment, and governance.

8. Other Intelligence Community Relevant Solutions

Any other solution with the potential to materially impact one or more IC mission areas.

How do you apply?

Submit through the IARPA Solutions Marketplace opportunity page at iarpa.gov/marketplace. Each submission covers one solution and includes three parts:

• A video pitch of five minutes or less (HD 1920x1080, .mp4 under 1.0 GB, Rec709 or sRGB color space) that covers the problem, technical approach, mission impact, and pricing model
• A submission form with company details, TRL, focus area, business size, FOCI status, FedRAMP, ATO, Impact Level, and facility clearance status where applicable, plus keywords and a 1,500-character abstract
• A five-slide package in the format IARPA prescribes: submission information, company introduction, solution overview, technical review criteria summary, and pricing model

Everything must be unclassified, with no proprietary, export-controlled, or CUI content and no restrictive markings other than a valid copyright notice. Do not include rates or other proprietary pricing.

A peer panel of government, industry, and academic experts scores each pitch on four criteria: Defining the Problem (15%), Overall Technical Merit (45%), Mission Impact (30%), and Pricing Model (10%). A Government Selecting Official makes the final awardable or non-awardable call.

Is this a fit for your company?

This is a strong fit for AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity companies with a product or prototype that solves a real intelligence problem, especially in AI security, agentic AI infrastructure and governance, R&D automation, biometrics, or economic security analytics. Because submissions are short videos and slides rather than full proposals, the cost to compete is low, but technical merit and mission impact make up 75% of the score. A clear story for IC customers matters. BW&CO helps founders shape that story and build a path into defense and intelligence funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

It is an open call from IARPA, managed by The Applied Research Institute, where companies submit five-minute video pitches for Intelligence Community relevant solutions. Pitches rated awardable are placed in a marketplace where IC and federal agencies can negotiate and award them without further competition.

When is the deadline for the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

The Marketplace is open from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Submissions are collected monthly and close at 12:00 noon Eastern on the last day of each month, and results come within 30 days after each monthly cutoff.

How much funding can an IARPA Solutions Marketplace award provide?

IARPA does not publish award amounts. Awardable solutions are eligible for research, prototyping, test and evaluation, and production awards, with negotiable terms, flexible funding ceilings, and the potential for multiple awards from a single video submission.

Who can submit to the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

All US-based companies of any size, traditional and nontraditional contractors, new entrants, universities, nonprofits, and individuals can submit. Foreign entities may submit if they comply with export laws in their country and the United States.

What do I need to submit?

Each submission includes a video of five minutes or less covering the problem, technical approach, mission impact, and pricing model, a completed submission form, and a five-slide package in IARPA's prescribed format. All materials must be unclassified and free of proprietary, export-controlled, or CUI information.

Can I resubmit if my solution is rated non-awardable?

Yes. Non-awardable solutions can be resubmitted in any later monthly collection period while the announcement is open. Every submitter receives ratings and assessor comments, and ARI offers weekly feedback sessions to help strengthen a resubmission.

DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition

Overview

The DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition (DE-FOA-0003657) is a $215 million milestone-based program from the Department of Energy Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR). Its goal is to develop and deploy the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing (SRQC) capability for research and development.

DOE defines a first-generation SRQC as a system with at least a hundred logical qubits that can perform thousands of hard fault-tolerant operations in service of a scientific workflow. DOE describes these metrics as illustrative and recognizes that milestones may vary by technology.

Awards are made as Other Transaction Agreements. Payments are tied to verified milestones, with DOE National Laboratory staff given physical and virtual access to each performer's quantum computer to validate performance.

Key dates and funding

• Application deadline: October 19, 2026
• Questions deadline: October 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (qcompetition@doe.gov)
• Initial selections: no earlier than November 13, 2026
• Total funding: $215 million over the first 30 months
• Expected selections: at least three and up to ten
• Phase I: $250,000 upon DOE approval of the technical plan, plus $1,250,000 for a validated prototype milestone about one year after project start
• Phase II: a $100 million general incentive pool split evenly among performers who achieve a first-generation SRQC
• Bonus pools: $50 million split among awardees reaching 150 or more logical qubits, and another $50 million split among awardees reaching 200 or more logical qubits
• Final evaluation: September 2028
• Cost share: waived

Who is eligible

Only for-profit domestic entities may apply. The applicant must be legally formed in the United States and have a physical business location in the United States.

• Applicants must show a history of successfully creating and demonstrating multi-qubit quantum computers.
• All work must be performed in the United States, though partial waivers may be requested.
• Foreign entities may participate only with an explicit written waiver.
• Malign foreign talent recruitment program prohibitions and foreign connection disclosures apply.
• An organization may participate in multiple proposals, but DOE does not intend to fund multiple applicants relying on substantively similar qubit technologies from a single provider.

Focus areas

The competition is open to any qubit modality. DOE is looking for a full-stack, fault-tolerant quantum computing solution that scales through three illustrative stages.

Prototype

Roughly 10 logical qubits and about 1,000 hard operations, demonstrating a scientific subroutine with basic hardware and software modules within about one year.

First-generation SRQC

At least a hundred logical qubits and thousands of hard fault-tolerant operations running a scientific workflow, evaluated in September 2028.

Scientific relevance

Applicants must identify a demonstrator problem and key subroutines, explain why the problem matters to the DOE mission, and estimate the quantum operations and wall-clock time required.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov and then processed in DOE's Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS). Pre-applications are not accepted.

• Register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. DOE notes SAM registration can take several weeks.
• Register in FedConnect, which can take 48 to 72 hours.
• Create a Grants.gov account and submit the application.
• Register in PAMS to track the application after submission.
• Prepare a Project Narrative of no more than 50 pages covering current quantum capabilities, a phased scaling plan, a scientific relevance plan, team structure and partnerships, and quantum ecosystem impacts.

Is this a fit for your company?

Genesis Q suits U.S. quantum hardware companies that already have working multi-qubit systems and a credible roadmap to fault tolerance. If your team is weighing whether to compete, or needs help shaping a scaling plan and scientific relevance story before October 19, book a call with BW&CO.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition?

It is a $215 million DOE Office of Science program (DE-FOA-0003657) to develop the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing capability, funded through milestone-based Other Transaction Agreements.

When is the Genesis Q application deadline?

Applications are due October 19, 2026. Questions must be sent to qcompetition@doe.gov by October 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

How much funding can a Genesis Q performer receive?

Phase I pays up to $1.5 million per performer. Performers that achieve a first-generation SRQC share a $100 million incentive pool, plus two $50 million bonus pools for reaching 150 and 200 logical qubits.

Who is eligible to apply for Genesis Q?

Only U.S. for-profit companies with a physical U.S. business location may apply, and they must have a history of creating and demonstrating multi-qubit quantum computers.

Is Genesis Q limited to one qubit technology?

No. The solicitation does not restrict qubit modality, but DOE does not intend to fund multiple applicants that rely on substantively similar qubit technologies from a single provider.

NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (PAR-27-039 / PAR-27-040): SBIR and STTR Funding for First-Time PIs

The NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs funds small businesses that put a first-time Principal Investigator in charge of a research project, then pays for that person's mentorship and entrepreneurial training alongside the R&D. NIH and CDC have announced it is returning for fiscal year 2027 as PAR-27-039 (SBIR) and PAR-27-040 (STTR), and both versions will allow clinical trials.

Deadline: NIH expects to post the full solicitation around November 5, 2026, with applications due around January 5, 2027. These dates are NIH estimates, and applications are not being accepted yet, so now is the time to line up your PI and mentor.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most SBIR and STTR reviewers want to see a PI with a track record of leading funded research. That puts many startups in a bind when their best technical person is a recent PhD, postdoc, clinician, or engineer who has never been an independent PI. This program flips that around: it is reserved for first-time PIs and rewards companies that commit to developing them.

It also pays for things a standard SBIR award usually does not emphasize, including the PI's salary, entrepreneurship courses, and a structured mentoring team. For a founder hiring their first scientist, or a company promoting an internal researcher, it can fund the R&D and the leadership development at the same time.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsors: National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with many participating Institutes and Centers
• Solicitations: PAR-27-039 (SBIR, R43/R44) and PAR-27-040 (STTR, R41/R42), both Clinical Trial Optional
• Status: Forecasted. NIH is not accepting applications yet
• Estimated posting date: November 5, 2026
• Estimated application due date: January 5, 2027
• Estimated award start: July 1, 2027
• Award types: Phase I and Fast-Track (CDC does not support Fast-Track). Direct to Phase II was not allowed in the prior cycle
• Award size: Not yet published. In the prior cycle, Phase I awards normally could not exceed $306,872 and Phase II $2,045,816 in total costs, with some Institutes allowing more on approved topics
• Cost share: Not required

What the Program Funds

Each award supports three things at once:

• Research and development: A Phase I feasibility project, or a Fast-Track project, that fits the mission of one of the participating Institutes or Centers and has clear commercial potential.
• Mentorship: At least one mentor with real entrepreneurial and mentoring experience must be on the team with measurable committed effort. The mentor can be a company founder or executive, but does not have to be.
• Entrepreneurial training: A career development plan for the PI built from courses, workshops, NIH entrepreneurship programs, or similar training.

In the prior cycle, every aim needed quantitative milestones for both the research and the PI's entrepreneurial development. Participating Institutes ranged from NHLBI, NIA, NIDDK, NIDA, NICHD, NEI, NHGRI, NIEHS and NLM to NCATS, NCCIH and CDC's NIOSH, so the program covers devices, diagnostics, digital health, data science, therapeutics, and occupational safety technologies. Some Institutes funded Phase I only.

Is Your Company a Fit?

This program is a strong fit if most of these are true:

• You are a U.S. small business with 500 or fewer employees that meets SBA ownership rules for SBIR or STTR.
• Your proposed PI has never been an independent PI on an NIH or CDC research grant, or a comparable peer-reviewed research grant elsewhere.
• Your PI is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Your PI has real research or technology development experience but limited entrepreneurial or independent leadership experience. Recent PhDs, postdocs, clinicians, engineers, and public health practitioners are typical.
• You can name a mentor with entrepreneurial experience who will commit measurable time to the project.
• Your technology fits the mission of at least one participating Institute or Center.

The program is not meant for experienced PIs or seasoned founders, who are steered to the standard NIH SBIR and STTR parent solicitations instead. Foreign organizations cannot apply.

How to Prepare Now

1. Pick your PI. Confirm they have never led an NIH or CDC research grant and meet the citizenship requirement. They can be a new hire or an existing employee stepping into a real leadership role.
2. Recruit your mentor. NIH is giving advance notice specifically so companies can line up industry mentors and training resources. Secure a commitment letter early.
3. Choose the right Institute. Match your project to a participating Institute or Center and contact its program officer before you write.
4. Get registered. SAM.gov, the SBA Company Registry, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons accounts for the company and the PI can take six weeks or more.
5. Watch for the November posting. When PAR-27-039 and PAR-27-040 are published, confirm the final due date, budget limits, and participating Institutes before you finalize your application.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps life science and health technology startups decide whether the Transition Grant or a standard NIH SBIR or STTR application is the better path, pick the right Institute, and build the mentorship and career development plan reviewers expect. We start early so your team is ready the day the solicitation posts. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we help first-time founders and first-time PIs compete for NIH funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs?

It is an NIH and CDC SBIR and STTR program that funds small businesses led on a project by a first-time PI, combining research and development funding with mentorship and entrepreneurial training for that PI.

When is the deadline?

NIH estimates the solicitation will post around November 5, 2026, with applications due around January 5, 2027. Applications are not being accepted yet, and dates may change when the final solicitation is published.

Who can be the PI?

Someone who has never been an independent PI on an NIH or CDC research grant, or a comparable peer-reviewed research grant, and who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Early-career scientists, engineers, clinicians, and public health professionals are the intended applicants.

Is a mentor required?

Yes. Key personnel must include a mentor with entrepreneurial experience who commits measurable effort to the project.

How much funding is available?

NIH has not published amounts for the new cycle. In the prior cycle, Phase I awards normally could not exceed $306,872 in total costs and Phase II awards $2,045,816, with some Institutes allowing more for approved topics.

What happened to the previous version of this program?

The prior solicitations (PAR-24-131 through PAR-24-134) expired early on November 17, 2025, when SBIR and STTR authority lapsed. NIH has forecast the program's return as PAR-27-039 and PAR-27-040.

ARPA-H SPECTRA ARPA-H-SOL-26-163: Autism Technology and Research Funding Guide for Startups

ARPA-H's Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA) program aims to understand how autism develops across the lifespan and to act on that knowledge earlier and more precisely. The first open call is for Technical Area 4: everyday technologies such as wearables, communication devices, eye tracking, and AI speech tools that people want to use, and that generate assessment data as they are used. Companies, universities, and nonprofits are eligible.

Deadline: TA4 Solution Summaries are due October 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. TA1 and TA2 summaries are expected December 2, 2026, and TA3 summaries January 18, 2027.

Why This Opportunity Matters

About 1 in 31 U.S. children is diagnosed with autism, and an estimated 25 to 30 percent of autistic people are minimally verbal or nonspeaking. Diagnosis often comes late, data sit in silos, and most assessments do not work well for the people with the highest support needs. SPECTRA is designed to change that by connecting biology, environment, real-world data, and targeted interventions into one program.

For health technology companies, TA4 is the immediate opening. It is one of the rare federal programs that funds consumer-grade tools built for real homes and classrooms, not just clinics, and it rewards products that families actually keep using.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Proactive Health Office
• Solicitation: ARPA-H-SOL-26-163, Innovative Solutions Opening
• Award type: Other Transaction (OT) agreements, with phased reviews and possible down-selects
• Award size: Not published. Proposers request funds across all phases on the Solution Summary cover page
• Program length: About four years, with TA4 gates at Months 12, 24, and 48
• TA4 Solution Summary due: October 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (portal open now)
• TA1 and TA2 Solution Summary due: December 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (details by amendment, expected late October)
• TA3 Solution Summary due: January 18, 2027, 5:00 PM ET (details by amendment, expected early December)
• Full proposals: Dates will be announced after Solution Summaries are reviewed
• Cost share: Resource sharing is encouraged but not required

What SPECTRA Funds

TA4: Technologies for Communication, Quality of Life, and Embedded Assessment (open now)

TA4 funds everyday tools that improve communication and daily function while collecting meaningful data in the background. ARPA-H names examples including wearables for sleep, movement, and autonomic state, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and speech interfaces, eye tracking on tablets and phones, low-channel EEG usable at home, camera-based analysis of movement and behavior, and immersive virtual environment tools. Multimodal combinations are encouraged.

Strong TA4 proposals personalize to each user on the device, adapt over a lifetime, keep users in control of their data, and share data through the program's common data model. A goal is to push validated early identification about ten months earlier than today's 16-month floor. An optional speech component calls for open-source, on-device speech recognition tuned for child and atypical speech. Tools that require users to perform an assessment task belong in TA1, not TA4, and closed ecosystems that cannot export data are out of scope.

TA1: Multi-Factor Analysis and Trajectory Identification (coming)

Multimodal analysis of genetic, biological, environmental, and medical factors to define autism trajectories. TA1 is analysis only and requires datasets and partners already in place.

TA2: Population-Scale Modeling and Data Integration (coming)

A federated, privacy-preserving national data network built on health data standards, with at least 10 live nodes and fast multisite queries.

TA3: Precision Intervention and Trajectory Testing (coming)

Adaptive platform trials stratified by trajectory, prioritizing sleep, seizures, GI issues, pain, anxiety, crisis, and regression.

Is Your Company a Fit?

TA4 is a strong fit for:

• Wearable and biosensing companies focused on sleep, autonomic state, or seizure and overload alerts
• AAC and communication device makers, especially for minimally verbal and nonspeaking users
• Speech AI teams willing to build open, on-device models
• Eye tracking, low-channel EEG, and computer vision companies with tools that run on common phones and tablets
• VR and immersive learning companies

ARPA-H asks for prior experience building technology for autistic people or comparable populations, plus pilot or usability data from the intended users, so teams with real-world deployments will be most competitive. Looking ahead, AI and multi-omics analytics companies fit TA1, federated data and privacy companies fit TA2, and clinical trial platforms and therapeutics companies fit TA3.

FFRDCs and government entities cannot participate, entities from covered foreign countries are excluded, and ARPA-H prioritizes work performed in the United States.

How to Apply

1. Register on the ARPA-H Solutions site. The TA4 portal is open now at solutions.arpa-h.gov. A UEI is not required for the Solution Summary but is required before award.
2. Submit a TA4 Solution Summary by October 18, 2026. Use the required Attachment A1 template, up to 7 pages for the concept, innovation and impact, proposed work, and team. The cover page, cost estimate, resource share strategy, and references do not count toward the limit.
3. Receive an encourage or discourage response. ARPA-H says its view should carry significant weight in your decision to continue.
4. Submit a full proposal. Requirements and deadlines will be released by amendment after summaries are reviewed.

You may submit to more than one technical area, but each must be a separate, standalone submission. Questions go through the Ask a Question page on the ARPA-H Solutions site.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps digital health, wearable, and AI companies decide which SPECTRA technical area fits, frame their real-world evidence for ARPA-H reviewers, and deliver a compliant Solution Summary on a tight timeline. We also track the TA1 through TA3 amendments so clients are ready the day each call opens. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we help health technology founders compete for ARPA-H programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H SPECTRA program?

SPECTRA (Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency) is an ARPA-H program to understand and act on autism trajectories across the lifespan through analysis, data integration, precision interventions, and everyday assistive technologies.

When is the SPECTRA deadline?

TA4 Solution Summaries are due October 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. TA1 and TA2 summaries are expected December 2, 2026, and TA3 summaries January 18, 2027. Full proposal dates will be announced later.

What does SPECTRA TA4 fund?

Everyday technologies such as wearables, AAC and speech interfaces, phone and tablet eye tracking, low-channel EEG, computer vision, and immersive tools that improve communication and quality of life while generating real-world assessment data.

Can startups apply to SPECTRA?

Yes. ARPA-H is primarily interested in proposals from commercial performers, academic institutions, and nonprofits. FFRDCs and government entities cannot participate.

How much funding does SPECTRA provide?

ARPA-H has not published award sizes. Awards are Other Transaction agreements, and proposers request total funds across all phases in their Solution Summary.

How long is the SPECTRA TA4 Solution Summary?

Up to 7 pages using the required Attachment A1 template. The cover page, cost estimate, resource share strategy, and references are not counted.

ARPA-H UNIQUE ARPA-H-SOL-26-162: Quantum Entanglement Imaging Program Guide for Startups

ARPA-H's UNifying Imaging with QUantum Entanglement (UNIQUE) program wants to expand what medical imaging can measure. It funds teams that capture quantum correlations in the 511 keV photon pairs produced in PET-style positron annihilation and use AI to turn those signals into new information about tissue health, such as metabolism, oxygenation, and microstructure. Small businesses, larger companies, universities, and nonprofits are all eligible, and early-career investigators are preferred.

Deadline: Solution Summaries are due October 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET through the ARPA-H Solutions site. Full proposals are due December 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Why This Opportunity Matters

CT, MRI, and PET show anatomy and function, but they cannot fully characterize the tissue microenvironment where diseases like neurodegeneration, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and pancreatic cancer begin. By the time those diseases are visible, damage is often substantial. Recent research shows that photon pairs from positron annihilation can retain measurable quantum correlations, and those correlations may carry biological information that conventional contrast misses.

The field is still largely at the proof-of-concept stage. That is exactly where ARPA-H invests. UNIQUE is a short, focused 18-month program, which makes it a realistic way for a detector, photonics, or imaging AI company to build a position in quantum medical imaging before the field matures.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Health Science Futures Office
• Solicitation: ARPA-H-SOL-26-162, Innovative Solutions Opening (Amendment 01)
• Award type: Other Transaction (OT) agreements. Multiple awards are anticipated
• Award size: Not published. Proposers submit a rough order of magnitude cost with the Solution Summary
• Program length: 18 months in two 9-month phases, with Phase 2 continuation based on Phase 1 results
• Proposers' Day: October 16, 2026, 8:30 AM ET, with lightning talks and sidebars from 3:00 to 5:00 PM ET
• Solution Summary due: October 29, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (required)
• Full proposal due: December 15, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
• Cost share: Required only for for-profit companies with more than 1,000 employees
• Human subjects: Not anticipated. Work is done in phantoms and on the benchtop

What UNIQUE Funds

Every proposal must address both technical areas in a single integrated plan, so most competitive teams will combine hardware and AI expertise.

Technical Area 1: Imaging Core

Generate and measure quantum-derived contrast from entangled 511 keV photon pairs, positronium-sensitive interactions, and decoherence in controlled phantom and benchtop systems. Phase 1 targets include an entanglement witness above 1.6, coincidence timing resolution under 300 picoseconds (stretch goal under 150), entangled pair flux of 100,000 to 1,000,000 pairs per second, and measurable differences across at least 3 phantom states. Phase 2 moves to ghost image reconstruction in phantoms, higher usable coincidence rates, stronger signal to background, and repeatability within 10 percent.

Technical Area 2: Quantum AI Interpretation and Fusion

Build AI-driven reconstruction that fuses anatomical, functional, molecular, and quantum-derived signals into unified multidimensional images. Phase 1 calls for a simulation-to-reconstruction pipeline, prototype voxel-level quantum contrast maps, and statistically distinguishable clustering of at least 3 phantom states. Phase 2 calls for a preliminary quantum contrast atlas, datasets above 1,000,000 correlated events, and 3D localization of 2 to 3 millimeters or better.

An ARPA-H independent verification and validation team will supply benchmark phantoms and test results against these metrics.

Is Your Company a Fit?

UNIQUE is a strong fit for companies working in:

• PET, gamma, or Compton detectors, fast-timing scintillators, SiPM readout, or sub-300 picosecond coincidence electronics
• Positron sources, radioisotopes, or imaging phantoms
• Quantum photonics or ghost imaging, if the team can work at 511 keV
• Tomographic reconstruction, physics-informed AI, or multimodal image fusion for sparse, low-count data

Because one proposal must cover both technical areas, a small company will often lead or join a team with an academic PET physics or quantum lab. Each organization may lead only one proposal. Optical-only quantum imaging teams are a weaker fit unless they can adapt to annihilation photons. FFRDCs and government entities cannot participate except in rare, justified cases, and entities from covered foreign countries are excluded. Proposals that offer incremental improvements will not be funded.

How to Apply

1. Attend Proposers' Day on October 16, 2026. It is optional, but the lightning talk and sidebar sessions are the best place to find teaming partners.
2. Submit a Solution Summary by October 29, 2026. It is limited to 3 pages, plus a cover page, rough order of magnitude cost by phase, team qualifications, and references. It must answer what health problem you are solving, how it is done today, and what is new about your approach.
3. Receive an encourage or discourage response. You may still submit a full proposal either way.
4. Submit the full proposal by December 15, 2026. It includes a 12-page technical and management volume, a cost volume with no page limit, and an administrative and policy volume.

All submissions go through the ARPA-H Solutions site, and an active SAM.gov registration is required. Questions go to UNIQUE@arpa-h.gov.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps imaging, photonics, and AI companies decide whether UNIQUE fits their roadmap, assemble teams that cover both technical areas, and write Solution Summaries that make a clear case for disruptive impact. We also manage full proposal development, cost volumes, and OT negotiation support. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we help deep tech founders compete for programs like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H UNIQUE program?

UNIQUE (UNifying Imaging with QUantum Entanglement) is an 18-month ARPA-H program that funds teams to measure quantum correlations in 511 keV photon pairs and use AI to turn them into new medical imaging contrast for tissue health.

When is the UNIQUE deadline?

Solution Summaries are due October 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, and full proposals are due December 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. A Solution Summary is required.

How much funding does UNIQUE provide?

ARPA-H has not published an award size or total budget. Awards are Other Transaction agreements, multiple awards are anticipated, and proposers estimate their own costs by phase.

Can small businesses apply to UNIQUE?

Yes. Small businesses, larger companies, universities, and nonprofits are all eligible, and early-career investigators are preferred. Companies with more than 1,000 employees must provide meaningful cost share.

Do I need to address both technical areas?

Yes. Every proposal must cover both the Imaging Core and the Quantum AI Interpretation and Fusion technical areas in one integrated plan, so teaming is common.

Does UNIQUE involve human subjects research?

No. Human subjects research is not anticipated. Work is done with phantoms and benchtop systems, using benchmark phantoms supplied by an ARPA-H independent verification and validation team.

ARPA-H Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) 2026, ARPA-H-SOL-26-150: Up to $1.05M for Early-Career Researchers

ARPA-H's Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) initiative funds bold, early-stage health research led by early-career investigators, and pairs every award with an ARPA-H Program Manager who acts as project manager and mentor. Companies, universities, and nonprofits can all lead, as long as the Project Lead is within 8 years of their first terminal degree. Each award is worth up to $1,050,000 over three years, across 16 topic areas spanning devices, diagnostics, biotech, and clinical AI.

Deadline: Solution Summaries are due October 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET through the ARPA-H Solutions site. Full proposals are due February 10, 2027 at 2:00 PM ET.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most ARPA-H programs are built for large, experienced teams. EHI is the exception. It is designed to bring new researchers into the ARPA-H model, fund ideas that are still too early for traditional grants, and train the next generation of ARPA-H performers and Program Managers. For a startup with a young technical lead, it is one of the few ways to win a direct ARPA-H award without competing against established multi-institution teams.

EHI also comes with something money cannot buy: a monthly working relationship with an ARPA-H Program Manager. For a company planning to pursue larger ARPA-H programs later, that relationship and the track record of delivering on an ARPA-H agreement can be a meaningful advantage.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Office of Commercialization
• Solicitation: ARPA-H-SOL-26-150, Innovative Solutions Opening (Amendment 1)
• Award type: Fixed-price Other Transaction (OT) agreements paid on milestones
• Award size: Up to $1,050,000 total, including indirect costs
• Structure: 24-month base period (up to $350,000 per year) plus an optional 12-month Director's Award (up to $350,000) for top performers
• Number of awards: Multiple. ARPA-H expects to fund 20 or more awards per year through EHI
• Proposers' Day: October 13, 2026 (virtual, register by October 12)
• Solution Summary due: October 30, 2026, 2:00 PM ET (required)
• Full proposal due: February 10, 2027, 2:00 PM ET
• Tentative selections: April 30, 2027, with awards starting around June 30, 2027
• Cost share: Not required

The 16 EHI Topic Areas

Every submission must target exactly one topic. Ideas outside these topics are not accepted.

Devices, Implants, and Neurotechnology

• Topic 1, Precision Control of Skin Inflammation: Networked biomaterials in the skin that sense inflammation and deliver localized, reversible therapy without systemic exposure.
• Topic 2, Internal Sensing and Targeted Control of Inflammation: Injectable or ingestible micro and nano scale platforms that sense inflammation and deliver therapy under closed-loop or external control.
• Topic 3, Deep Brain Stimulation for Sleep (Deep Sleep): Using DBS to record and modulate deep brain activity during sleep and test personalized, closed-loop therapy.
• Topic 15, ICAT In-Cavity Adjuvant Therapy: Implantable systems placed in the tumor resection cavity that deliver steep, tunable therapy and sense residual disease, with glioblastoma as the example model.

Diagnostics and Women's Health

• Topic 9, SMILE: Low-cost detection of early tooth decay and oral microbiome imbalance, or bio-inspired enamel repair that outlasts fillings.
• Topic 10, Ectopic Pregnancy First-Visit Diagnosis: Same-day point-of-care tools, biomarker panels, or imaging approaches that distinguish viable pregnancy, early loss, and ectopic pregnancy.
• Topic 11, Transforming the Well-Woman Exam: Objective at-home or primary care screening for conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and perimenopause. Standalone AI tools are discouraged.
• Topic 14, Non-Contact Sterility Testing: Measuring sterility in sealed containers fast enough for in-line distributed manufacturing, replacing tests that take 3 to 14 days.

Biotech, Immunology, and Tissue Platforms

• Topic 4, CLEAR-MIND: Preclinical work to restore the brain's drainage system and rebalance immune response after injury.
• Topic 5, HIND: Host-pathway interventions, biomarkers, and CNS delivery for neurotropic diseases such as rabies, EEEV, and prion disease.
• Topic 7, Engineering DRTs: Programmable, protein-templated DNA synthesis as a new medical countermeasure strategy.
• Topic 8, Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Mapping, predicting, preventing, and treating tick-bite triggered alpha-gal allergy.
• Topic 12, Biotransport for Organ Preservation: Uniform, low-toxicity delivery and removal of cryoprotectants through thick tissues and whole organs.
• Topic 13, Organs-in-Action: Organ and system scale human tissue platforms, beyond organoids and chips, for aging, disease, and therapy discovery.

Artificial Intelligence and Data

• Topic 6, Protecting Patient Data in Life Science AI: Defenses against membership inference and model inversion, leakage measurement, machine unlearning, and agentic AI security.
• Topic 16, Causally Grounded Alignment for Clinical Generative AI: Causal alignment constraints, evaluators, and mechanistic auditing for clinical generative AI tools.

Is Your Company a Fit?

EHI is a strong fit if most of these are true:

• Your proposed Project Lead completed their first terminal degree (typically a PhD, MD, or equivalent professional degree) within the last 8 years. Leave, postdoc, residency, and fellowship periods can be excluded.
• The Project Lead is a working researcher, not an administrator, and is not currently a postdoc or clinical trainee.
• The Project Lead has never been the prime lead on an award from any ARPA agency (ARPA-H, DARPA, IARPA, ARPA-E).
• Your organization and every team member are employed at a U.S. institution.
• Your idea fits one of the 16 topics and aims for a revolutionary advance, not an incremental improvement.
• Your company has, or can quickly get, an active SAM.gov registration and UEI.

Things that rule a team out: FFRDCs, UARCs, national labs, and government entities cannot apply or team. Subawards, consultants, and vendors together cannot exceed 30 percent of the total agreement value. The concept cannot already be funded or selected for funding by another agency.

How to Apply

1. Register on the ARPA-H Solutions site. All submissions go through solutions.arpa-h.gov. Start your SAM.gov registration now if you do not have one, since it can take more than 14 business days.
2. Submit a Solution Summary by October 30, 2026. The summary is limited to 2 pages plus a cover sheet, names one topic, and must be completely anonymized. Identifying information about the Project Lead, company, or team goes on the cover sheet only, and references are not allowed.
3. Wait for an encourage or discourage decision. ARPA-H does not provide written feedback. Discouraged proposers may still submit but are strongly advised not to.
4. Submit the full proposal by February 10, 2027. It includes pitch slides, an 8-page technical and management proposal, a task description document, a milestone payment schedule, administrative and research security forms, and a signed organizational letter of support.

Each organization may submit more than one proposal, but each must have a different Project Lead, and each Project Lead may submit to only one topic.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps deep tech and life science companies decide whether EHI is the right ARPA-H entry point, choose the strongest topic, and write a Solution Summary that stands out in a blind review. We also build milestone payment schedules that ARPA-H can approve and help teams prepare the full proposal package if they are encouraged. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we know how to position early-stage ideas for agencies that fund breakthroughs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) initiative?

EHI is an ARPA-H mentorship and funding initiative for early-career investigators. It funds revolutionary health research across 16 topic areas through Other Transaction agreements, and each award is paired with an ARPA-H Program Manager who serves as mentor and project manager.

How much funding does EHI provide?

Each award can be worth up to $1,050,000, including indirect costs. That includes a 24-month base period of up to $700,000 and an optional 12-month Director's Award of up to $350,000 reserved for exceptional performers.

When is the EHI 2026 deadline?

Solution Summaries are due October 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. Full proposals are due February 10, 2027 at 2:00 PM ET. A Solution Summary is required before submitting a full proposal.

Can a startup or small business apply to EHI?

Yes. EHI accepts proposals led by early-career investigators at industry, academic, and nonprofit organizations. There is no small business size requirement, but the organization and all team members must be employed at a U.S. institution.

Who counts as an early-career investigator for EHI?

An individual within 8 years of completing their first terminal degree. Leaves of absence, postdoctoral, residency, and fellowship periods can be excluded. Current postdocs and clinical trainees cannot serve as Project Lead, and anyone who has already led an award from any ARPA agency is not eligible.

Is cost share required for EHI?

No. The solicitation does not require cost share.

How long is the EHI Solution Summary?

Two pages, not counting the cover sheet. It must be fully anonymized, with identifying information only on the cover sheet, and it cannot include references.

NASA NIAC Phase I FY2027: Up to $225K for Visionary Aerospace Concepts

Status: Open. Step A due October 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET through NSPIRES (solicitation amended October 15, 2026).

Book a Free Fit Call

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) funds early-stage feasibility studies of visionary aerospace concepts that could change what NASA, other government agencies, and the commercial space sector are able to do. NIAC is run by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The FY2027 Phase I solicitation (NNH26ZTR001N-27NIAC_A1) offers awards of up to $225,000 for feasibility studies of about nine months, and NASA expects to make 12 to 16 awards.

Deadline: Step A proposals are due October 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern through NSPIRES. Invited Step B proposals are due January 13, 2027.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most federal R&D money goes to ideas that already have data behind them. NIAC deliberately funds the opposite: concepts at TRL 2 or lower that are unexplored, highly innovative, and credible enough to study. For startups and small companies, it is one of the few federal programs that pays to test a far-out aerospace idea before a prototype exists. The Step A proposal is short, all categories of U.S. organizations can lead, and a NIAC award builds a NASA track record that supports NIAC Phase II and later NASA SBIR/STTR proposals.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
• Solicitation: NNH26ZTR001N-27NIAC_A1, NIAC Phase I for FY2027
• Award size: Up to $225,000 per award
• Duration: About 9 months
• Expected awards: 12 to 16
• Who can lead: All categories of U.S. organizations, including small businesses, larger companies, universities, nonprofits, and government labs
• Foreign participation: Non-U.S. organizations may join on a no-exchange-of-funds basis
• Step A due: October 28, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern, through NSPIRES
• Step B due: January 13, 2027, by invitation only (invitations issued December 8, 2026)
• Awards: Targeted for July 2027
• Contact: hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov

What NIAC Funds

NIAC looks for visionary, yet credible, concepts that address national, government, and commercial aerospace goals. Strong concepts sit at TRL 2 or lower, are framed in a mission or architecture context, and take a radically different approach rather than an incremental one. Concepts can come from any discipline, including:

• Advanced propulsion and power
• In-space manufacturing, assembly, and large structures
• Robotics and autonomous exploration systems
• Human exploration, habitation, and life support
• New approaches to sensing, communications, and science instruments
• Novel mission architectures for the Moon, Mars, and deep space

Is Your Company a Fit?

NIAC Phase I is a strong fit if your company:

• Has a bold aerospace concept that is still early, at TRL 2 or lower
• Can describe the concept as a system, architecture, or mission, not only a single component
• Has a credible technical basis and a team that can run a nine-month feasibility study
• Can lead the proposal through a U.S. organization
• Wants a NASA relationship that can grow into NIAC Phase II, NASA SBIR/STTR, or other STMD funding

NIAC is usually not the right fit for near-term product development, incremental upgrades, or technologies that already have working prototypes. Those projects often fit NASA SBIR/STTR better.

How to Apply

1. Attend the proposers' forum. NASA is hosting a virtual NIAC Phase I forum on October 7, 2026.
2. Submit a Step A proposal. Submit a short concept proposal through NSPIRES by October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern. Step A is a 1-page overview chart and a 3-page technical section, with no budget or team. Per Amendment 1 (October 15, 2026), it must also include a top-level list of your Phase I objectives. Step A screens for innovation, potential impact, and credibility.
3. Prepare a Step B proposal if invited. NASA issues Step B invitations on December 8, 2026, and full proposals are due January 13, 2027.
4. Selection and award. NASA targets awards in July 2027.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO has helped deep-tech, aerospace, and space tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding, including NASA awards. We help you frame a visionary concept so reviewers see it as credible, write a sharp Step A, and connect a NIAC study to NIAC Phase II, NASA SBIR/STTR, and other federal funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NASA NIAC?

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is a program in NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate that funds early-stage feasibility studies of visionary aerospace concepts that could transform future NASA, government, and commercial missions.

How much funding does NIAC Phase I provide?

NIAC Phase I awards are up to $225,000 each for a feasibility study of about nine months. NASA expects to make 12 to 16 awards in the FY2027 cycle.

What is the NIAC Phase I deadline?

Step A proposals are due October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern through NSPIRES. Proposers invited to Step B must submit full proposals by January 13, 2027.

Can companies apply for NIAC?

Yes. All categories of U.S. organizations may lead a NIAC proposal, including small businesses, larger companies, universities, nonprofits, and government labs. Non-U.S. organizations may participate on a no-exchange-of-funds basis.

What technology readiness level does NIAC require?

NIAC funds concepts at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 or lower. Projects that already have working prototypes or are close to product development usually fit NASA SBIR/STTR better.

How does the NIAC two-step process work?

Proposers first submit a short Step A concept proposal. NASA reviews Step A submissions and invites the strongest concepts to submit a full Step B proposal, which is the basis for selection.

What comes after a NIAC Phase I award?

Phase I awardees can compete for NIAC Phase II funding to mature their concepts further, and the results often support later NASA SBIR/STTR and other NASA proposals.

MedTech Innovator Vantage Non-Dilutive Funding Program: Up to $200K for Health Security Diagnostics and Devices

MedTech Innovator Vantage is a joint partnership between MedTech Innovator and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Vantage is one of five specialized hubs in the BARDA Accelerator Network. Its Non-Dilutive Funding Program awards $50,000 to $200,000 for six-month, milestone-based projects that develop, evaluate, and validate diagnostic and medical device technologies for health security, preparedness, and response.

Deadline: Proposals are due October 15, 2026. Off-cycle applications for BARDA-aligned technologies are also accepted on a rolling basis.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most early-stage medtech companies chase SBIR as their first federal dollar. Vantage is a faster, smaller entry point. A $50K to $200K award gives a startup proof-of-concept or validation data, a BARDA-aligned project record, and six months of project management and mentoring from subject matter experts. That record strengthens a later BARDA BAA, DRIVe, or SBIR application.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsors: MedTech Innovator and BARDA (HHS), through the BARDA Accelerator Network
• Award size: $50,000 to $200,000
• Project length: 6 months, milestone-based
• Who can apply: Early-stage startups and university-backed projects
• Proposal window: September 1 to October 15, 2026
• Guided revisions: January 2027, with subject matter experts
• Award announcements: Anticipated March to April 2027
• Support included: Project management support and regular expert mentoring during the award
• Contact: vantage@medtechinnovator.org

Priority Technology Areas

Vantage funds diagnostic and medical device technologies that strengthen U.S. health security. Current priority areas include:

• Continuous patient monitoring: Platforms with advanced sensors, with emphasis on radiation injury and acute radiation syndrome
• Multiplexed point-of-care rapid tests: High-sensitivity tests, including botulinum toxin detection that distinguishes serotypes
• Deployable diagnostics: Low-cost tools for resource-limited settings
• Rapid triage diagnostics: Including low-throughput next-generation sequencing platforms for pathogen identification

What Is Out of Scope

• Oncology and chronic disease research
• Gain-of-function research involving pathogen manipulation

Is Your Company a Fit?

Vantage is a strong fit if your company:

• Is an early-stage startup or a university-backed spinout
• Is building a diagnostic, patient monitoring, or medical device technology with a clear health security use case
• Can define concrete, measurable milestones achievable in six months
• Plans to pursue larger BARDA or other federal funding after proof-of-concept

If your device targets cancer or a chronic disease without a preparedness or emergency response angle, other programs such as NIH SBIR are a better match.

How to Apply

1. Confirm alignment. Review BARDA's mission and the DRIVe target product profiles to map your technology to a stated health security need.
2. Define six-month milestones. Reviewers fund projects with specific development, evaluation, or validation outcomes that a $50K to $200K budget can deliver.
3. Submit by October 15, 2026. Proposals go to MedTech Innovator during the September 1 to October 15 window.
4. Revise with experts. Selected applicants refine proposals with subject matter experts in January 2027.
5. Award decision. Announcements are expected March to April 2027.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO has helped deep-tech, medtech, and biotech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. We help you test fit against BARDA priorities, frame milestones reviewers trust, and plan the path from a Vantage award to BARDA BAA, DRIVe, and SBIR funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MedTech Innovator Vantage Non-Dilutive Funding Program?

It is a BARDA-aligned funding program run by MedTech Innovator that awards $50,000 to $200,000 for six-month projects developing, evaluating, and validating diagnostic and medical device technologies for health security.

When is the Vantage application deadline?

The 2026 proposal window runs September 1 to October 15, 2026. Off-cycle applications for BARDA-aligned technologies are accepted on a rolling basis.

Who is eligible to apply?

Early-stage startups and university-backed projects developing diagnostic or medical device technologies aligned with BARDA's health security mission.

Is Vantage funding dilutive?

No. Vantage awards are non-dilutive, so companies do not give up equity.

What technologies does Vantage prioritize?

Continuous patient monitoring for radiation injury, multiplexed point-of-care rapid tests such as botulinum toxin detection, low-cost deployable diagnostics, and rapid triage diagnostics including low-throughput NGS pathogen identification.

What is excluded from Vantage funding?

Oncology and chronic disease research, and gain-of-function research involving pathogen manipulation.

When are Vantage awards announced?

Selected applicants complete guided revisions in January 2027, and awards are anticipated in March to April 2027.

TRISH Catalyst Grants Program: NASA-Funded Space Health Awards for Companies and Researchers

The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) funds disruptive, high-impact technologies and studies that protect astronaut health. TRISH is led by Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Space Medicine and funded through a NASA cooperative agreement with the NASA Human Research Program (HRP). The Catalyst Grants Program supports proof-of-concept projects and directed technology development. Tier 1 awards reach up to $150,000 over 12 months, and Tier 2 awards are $150,000 or more for larger projects.

Deadline: Rolling. Preliminary proposals are reviewed quarterly, and TRISH is accepting submissions through December 2026.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Many medtech problems in spaceflight mirror problems on Earth: remote monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, blood clot prevention, behavioral health, and care with no specialist nearby. TRISH lets medtech and healthtech companies fund that work with NASA money, without the SBIR calendar. The two-page first step is light, U.S. companies are eligible, and a TRISH award builds a NASA track record that supports later NASA SBIR/STTR and HRP proposals.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: TRISH at Baylor College of Medicine, funded by NASA's Human Research Program
• Tier 1: Under $150,000 total, up to 12 months
• Tier 2: $150,000 or more total, up to 18 months
• Budget rules: All direct and indirect costs count toward the total; minimum 10% cost share (cash or in-kind)
• Who can apply: U.S. institutions and companies with a documented base of ongoing R&D
• Submission: Rolling, with quarterly Step-1 reviews, through December 2026
• Notification: About 3 to 4 months after a Step-2 full proposal
• Contact: spacehealth-info@bcm.edu

What TRISH Funds

Catalyst projects must address critical human system risks on the NASA HRP roadmap, represent a unique, high-impact idea, and fall outside other open TRISH solicitations. Recent example topics include:

Ground-Based Research

• Countermeasures for internal jugular venous flow reversal
• Decompression sickness prevention
• Managing behavioral emergencies in remote environments
• Early detection of behavioral health decline

Flight Research

• Continuous characterization of venous flow during spaceflight
• Comparing venous thromboembolism countermeasures
• Evaluating post-flight motor control recovery

Is Your Company a Fit?

TRISH Catalyst is a strong fit if your company:

• Builds wearables, remote monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, vascular, neuro, or behavioral health technology
• Can show how the technology reduces a specific spaceflight health risk
• Has ongoing R&D and preliminary data
• Can commit at least 10% cost share
• Wants a NASA relationship that extends into Earth-based clinical markets

How to Apply

1. Map to an HRP risk. Tie your technology to a named human system risk on the NASA Human Research Roadmap.
2. Submit a Step-1 preliminary proposal. Two pages maximum covering specific aims, deliverables, an implementation roadmap, TRISH alignment, and spaceflight health benefits. No institutional sign-off is required.
3. Prepare a Step-2 full proposal if invited. Tier 1 allows an 8-page project description and Tier 2 allows 15 pages, plus NASA SciENcv biosketches, Current and Pending Support, budget justification, a 2-page data management plan, and research security training certification.
4. Merit review. Reviewers score innovation, significance to NASA risk reduction, approach, and team, then assess budget, timeline, and data management.
5. Award. Decisions come about 3 to 4 months after Step-2, and start dates may shift with NASA budget availability.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO has helped deep-tech, medtech, and aerospace founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding, including NASA awards. We help you frame your technology around NASA HRP risks, write a sharp two-page Step-1, and connect a TRISH award to NASA SBIR/STTR and Earth-based commercialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TRISH Catalyst Grants Program?

It is a NASA-funded program run by the Translational Research Institute for Space Health at Baylor College of Medicine that funds proof-of-concept projects and technology development addressing astronaut health risks.

Can companies apply for TRISH Catalyst grants?

Yes. U.S. institutions and companies are eligible if they have a documented base of ongoing research and development in science, healthcare, or technology.

How much funding does TRISH Catalyst provide?

Tier 1 awards are under $150,000 for up to 12 months. Tier 2 awards are $150,000 or more for up to 18 months. All direct and indirect costs count toward the total.

Is cost share required?

Yes. TRISH requires a minimum 10% cost share, which can be cash or in-kind.

What is the TRISH Catalyst deadline?

Submissions are rolling with quarterly Step-1 reviews, and TRISH is accepting applications through December 2026.

What does the Step-1 preliminary proposal require?

A two-page document covering specific aims, deliverables, an implementation roadmap, alignment with TRISH, and spaceflight health benefits. No institutional sign-off is needed.

How long does a TRISH award decision take?

Award notification is expected about 3 to 4 months after the Step-2 full proposal is submitted.

USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II USDA-NIFA-SBIR-012221: Executive Summary for Ag and Food Tech Startups

Executive Summary

Sponsor: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Award size: Up to $600,000, or up to $650,000 with Technical and Business Assistance (TABA)
Deadline: November 17, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Eligible applicants: Prior USDA SBIR or STTR Phase I recipients
Funding type: Non-dilutive grant, no cost share required
Funding opportunity number: USDA-NIFA-SBIR-012221

USDA NIFA is accepting Phase II applications from small businesses that have completed a USDA SBIR or STTR Phase I award. Phase II funds the research and development needed to take a proven concept and move it toward the marketplace. Projects typically run 24 months, total program funding is $24.75 million, and NIFA expects to fund roughly half of the applications it receives, making this one of the more favorable success rates in federal non-dilutive funding.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is open only to companies that previously won a USDA SBIR or STTR Phase I grant. Your Phase II application must show that Phase I achieved its objectives and demonstrated technical feasibility, supported by preliminary data and results.

• SBIR: The principal investigator must be primarily employed (more than 50 percent) by the small business, and the company must perform at least 50 percent of the research.
• STTR: The small business must perform at least 40 percent of the work and a single U.S. research institution partner (university, nonprofit research organization, or FFRDC) must perform at least 30 percent.
• All research and development must be performed in the United States.

Topic Areas

• 8.1 Forests and Related Resources: Forest productivity, management, and value-added forest materials.
• 8.2 Plant Production and Protection (Biology): Crop production, stress protection, and pollinator health.
• 8.3 Animal Production and Protection: Technologies that improve agricultural animal production and health.
• 8.4 Management of Natural Resources: Soil health, erosion reduction, water quality, and nutrient management.
• 8.5 Food Science and Nutrition: Food safety, food processing, and nutrition innovation.
• 8.6 Rural and Community Development: Technologies supporting economic and social development in rural America.
• 8.7 Aquaculture: Technologies that expand domestic aquaculture production.
• 8.8 Biofuels and Biobased Products: Biofuels and industrial chemicals from agricultural materials.
• 8.12 Small and Mid-Size Farms: Sustainability and profitability for farms with under $1 million in annual sales.
• 8.13 Plant Production and Protection (Engineering): Engineering solutions for crop production efficiency and pest and pathogen protection.

How Applications Are Evaluated

• Phase I results and technical feasibility (20 percent): Quality of preliminary data and likelihood of Phase II success.
• Phase II technical approach (20 percent): Clear objectives, sound methodology, and measurable outcomes.
• Commercial potential (20 percent): Market analysis, commercialization strategy, IP protection, revenue projections, and track record.
• Importance of the problem (10 percent): Significance and public benefit.
• Team and resources (10 percent): Expertise and partnerships to complete the work.
• Alignment with USDA priorities: Connection to current USDA priorities such as farmer profitability, market expansion, invasive species protection, soil health, and precision nutrition.

What Goes Into the Application

• Project summary of up to 250 words
• Project narrative of up to 20 pages
• Commercialization plan of up to 10 pages, including a Phase III financing strategy
• TABA plan of up to 3 pages if requesting the additional $50,000
• Required disclosure of foreign affiliations or relationships to foreign countries

Key Considerations

• Commercialization carries real weight. With 20 percent of the score tied to commercial potential and a dedicated 10 page plan, a strong market and Phase III financing story is essential.
• TABA adds up to $50,000. Funds can support IP strategy, regulatory and market services, and other commercialization help from a vendor you select.
• Foreign disclosure is now required. Applicants must disclose foreign ownership, joint ventures, contracts, licensing, and related relationships.
• Experienced awardees face benchmarks. Companies with 20 or more prior Phase I awards must meet Phase I to Phase II transition and commercialization benchmarks.
• Plan for the next cycle too. NIFA lists a tentative FY 2027 deadline of September 21, 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II FY 2026 deadline?

Applications are due November 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time through Grants.gov. NIFA lists a tentative FY 2027 deadline of September 21, 2027.

How much funding does a USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II award provide?

Awards are up to $600,000, or up to $650,000 when including up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance (TABA). Projects typically run 24 months. Total program funding is $24.75 million.

Who is eligible for USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II?

Only small businesses that previously received a USDA SBIR or STTR Phase I award are eligible. Applicants must show that Phase I objectives were met and technical feasibility was demonstrated.

What topic areas does USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II fund?

Topics include forests and related resources, plant production and protection (biology and engineering), animal production and protection, natural resources management, food science and nutrition, rural and community development, aquaculture, biofuels and biobased products, and small and mid-size farms.

Does USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II require cost sharing?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

How are USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II applications evaluated?

Reviewers score Phase I results and feasibility (20 percent), the Phase II technical approach (20 percent), commercial potential (20 percent), importance of the problem (10 percent), team and resources (10 percent), and alignment with USDA priorities.

Can BW&CO help with a USDA SBIR/STTR Phase II application?

Yes. BW&CO helps founders turn Phase I results into a strong technical narrative, build a commercialization plan that scores, and align projects with USDA priorities. BW&CO has helped clients secure more than $350 million in non-dilutive funding.

Turn Your Phase I Win Into a Phase II Award

BW&CO helps agtech, foodtech, and biobased founders translate Phase I results into a compelling technical narrative, build a commercialization plan that scores, and align with current USDA priorities. With a November 17 deadline, now is the time to start.

DARPA Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) DARPA-PS-26-141: Complete Guide for Proposers

Executive Summary

DARPA's Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program is soliciting proposals for new ways to synthesize polymeric materials and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with molecular level control over sequence, orientation, and composition. DARPA calls these programmable precision polymers.

The program's first target application is the sub-nanosecond electro-optic modulator. Teams must show they can scale their synthesis to quantities that matter for integration, and the program culminates in a prototype demonstration of a new NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator. DARPA also points to broader defense and commercial uses such as LiDAR and communications.

APM is released as Program Solicitation DARPA-PS-26-141 and uses Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype agreements with milestone payments. This is not an SBIR or STTR topic, and it has no small business set-aside.

DARPA APM at a Glance

• Solicitation number: DARPA-PS-26-141
• Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Multi X Office
• Program manager: John M. Hoffman
• Published: September 25, 2026
• Abstract deadline: October 27, 2026
• Proposal deadline: December 18, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern
• Award instrument: Other Transaction for Prototype, paid against milestones
• Program length: 36 months across two phases
• Set-aside: None
• NAICS: 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Contact: APM PS Coordinator, apm@darpa.mil

What DARPA Wants to Fund

DARPA is looking for revolutionary advances in material synthesis, not refinements of today's materials. Strong proposals will show a credible path to:

• New chemistries that give precise control over polymer sequence, orientation, and composition
• NLO materials that outperform the current state of the art for high speed electro-optic modulation
• Synthesis that scales to quantities relevant for device integration
• A prototype NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator

What Is Out of Scope

The solicitation is explicit about what it will not fund:

• Research that mainly produces evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice
• Proposals built on exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified
• Approaches that use only inorganic materials with no polymeric component
• Modifying or repurposing existing NLO materials for incremental gains

How the Two-Phase Program Works

Phase 1: New Chemistries (12 months)

Teams develop new chemistries capable of producing programmable precision polymers and prove out the level of molecular control they claim.

Phase 2: Materials and Devices (24 months)

Teams apply those chemistries to synthesize advanced NLO materials at useful quantities and integrate them into functional electro-optic modulator devices.

Who Should Apply

APM rewards multidisciplinary teams. The strongest proposers will bring together polymer synthesis, computational chemistry and materials simulation, characterization, microfabrication, and photonics. Prior NLO experience helps but is not required. Startups with a novel synthesis platform should consider teaming with a university lab or a photonics partner to cover device integration.

How to Apply

• Step 1, abstract: Submit an abstract using the provided template (Attachment A) by October 27, 2026. An abstract is a low-effort way to get DARPA's read on fit before you invest in a full proposal.
• Step 2, full proposal: Submit Volume I (Technical) and Volume II (Price) by December 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern, along with the proposal summary slide, Task Description Document, price detail spreadsheet, schedule of milestones and payments, and OT certifications.
• Step 3, submission: Proposals go through the DARPA BAA Tool (BAAT) submission portal. Register early, since portal access can take time.

Funding and Award Terms

The notice on SAM.gov does not publish a total program budget or a per-award ceiling. Awards are made as Other Transaction for Prototype agreements, which means payments are tied to milestones you propose in your schedule. Your price volume and milestone plan carry real weight, so build them alongside the technical approach rather than at the end.

Controlled Unclassified Information

The solicitation includes a program CUI guide (Attachment J). Expect some program information and deliverables to be handled as Controlled Unclassified Information, and make sure your organization can meet those safeguarding requirements before you submit.

How to Prepare Now

• Read the full solicitation and every attachment on SAM.gov, including the proposer checklist
• Write a one-page technical concept that states why your chemistry is revolutionary, not incremental
• Line up partners for any gaps in synthesis, modeling, characterization, or photonics integration
• Draft milestones that map cleanly to the two phases and to measurable NLO performance
• Register for the DARPA BAAT portal and confirm your SAM.gov registration is active

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DARPA-PS-26-141? It is the Program Solicitation for DARPA's Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program, which funds new synthesis methods for programmable precision polymers and nonlinear optical materials, starting with sub-nanosecond electro-optic modulators.

When is the deadline? Abstracts are due October 27, 2026. Full proposals are due December 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern.

Is APM an SBIR or STTR opportunity? No. It is a DARPA Program Solicitation awarded through Other Transaction for Prototype agreements, and it has no small business set-aside.

How much funding is available? DARPA has not published a total budget or award ceiling in the SAM.gov notice. Funding is paid against the milestones in each awarded agreement.

How long is the program? 36 months. Phase 1 runs 12 months and focuses on new chemistries. Phase 2 runs 24 months and focuses on materials synthesis and device integration.

What will DARPA not fund? Incremental improvements, purely inorganic approaches with no polymeric component, repurposed existing NLO materials, and claims that cannot be technically justified.

Who should I contact with questions? The APM PS Coordinator at apm@darpa.mil.

Sources

• SAM.gov: Atomically Precise Molecules (APM), DARPA-PS-26-141
• DARPA: Atomically Precise Molecules program page

Get Your APM Abstract Ready

DARPA programs move fast, and the abstract window is short. BW&CO helps deep-tech teams test fit, shape a revolutionary technical story, and build milestone plans that hold up under DARPA review. Book a free strategy call with our team to see if APM is right for you.