CHORD - Collaborative Human Autonomy Operational Review - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ01-DV007

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is planned to be released once the SBIR program is reauthorized; however, this topic may ultimately be modified or withdrawn.

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Future Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) will introduce AI-enabled uncrewed aircraft into the fleet. These platforms will assume significant tactical decision-making responsibilities and operate alongside traditional crewed aircraft. This paradigm shift complicates knowledge elicitation for post-mission debriefing, as it necessitates understanding both human and autonomous aircraft decision-making processes. This introduces a new research challenge: effectively logging the necessary information from human and ACP decision-actions for debriefing and presenting it to warfighters through innovative human-machine interfaces (HMIs). The primary objective of this topic is to prototype and develop debriefing approaches that effectively fuse the decision-making chains of both human operators and multiple autonomous ACPs, presenting that information clearly and concisely.

Description:

Mission debriefing for manned and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and crewed aircraft in military operations is currently conducted manually by warfighters. This typically involves verbal communication and classroom-style discussions, with little to no AI or software assistance for reflecting on missions, identifying lessons learned, or pinpointing areas for improvement. As pilots are the primary tactical decision-makers, verbal communication sessions are essential for eliciting and understanding their decision-making processes. As teams of ACPs begin making tactical decisions with a high level of autonomy, it is unknown what information needs to be logged during mission and how that information should be displayed so that the warfighter can audit and understand after mission debriefing, what decisions, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) the autonomous systems acted on. This topic looks to advance existing debriefing tools for replaying mission execution and enhance them with additional functionality targeting debriefing of autonomous ACPs.

A secondary focus of this topic is to identify data input requirements from autonomy that would be necessary for support debriefing of autonomy. Modern methods for autonomous decision-making tend to employ black-box deep learning algorithms with limited transparency, leading to lack of trust and assurance that autonomous agent decisions comply with the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). XAI (Explainable Artificial Intelligence) is actively researching techniques to make black box models more understandable while other areas are using more transparent symbolic methods that are rooted in explicit rules to perform reasoning and problem-solving. An ACP will likely include a combination of inherently explainable and low transparency algorithms for different decision-making processes. Information needs for debriefing that will be identified in this topic should guide autonomy development with regards to autonomy logging/reporting for debriefing and algorithm practicality.

A consideration for DP2 participation is the demonstration of an existing debriefing tool that the proposer has developed that is used in military operations or that it is being developed under a recognized US DoD program. This will allow for a solid foundation for which CHORD can build upon that focuses specifically on debriefing of human machine teaming for ACPs. An expectation of common debriefing functionality such as data playback, a digital map display, timeline, event logs, and data visualization of vehicle fuel, health, and status will be necessary for DP2 consideration. It is not essential that the existing debriefing tool has been applied to unmanned systems, and debriefing tools in non-air or crewed vehicle domains will be considered.

While logging and video playback of ACP mission execution are critical components of debriefing functionality, they will likely be inadequate for truly understanding ACP decision-making. Software analytics, AI tools, and novel HMI designs will be necessary to answer key questions, such as: What tactical decisions did the ACP make? When were these decisions made? What was the rationale or considerations behind the ACP's decisions? As ACPs assume greater responsibility in tactical decision-making, it is crucial to conduct research and develop software tools that enable warfighters to understand and trust these autonomous systems.

Core Research Questions:

 What types of information must be logged and exchanged between ACPs and the warfighter during post-mission debriefing to support transparency and trust in autonomous operations?

 Do current government reference architectures and standards adequately support the information exchange requirements for debriefing ACP teams?

 How should information from ACPs be structured and visualized within the HMI to align with warfighter cognitive models and situational awareness needs?

 What HMI features for debriefing best support comprehension of ACP autonomy decision chains, contextual reasoning, and deviations from expected behavior?

 What types of software or AI-enabled analytics tools would be most useful to summarize, explain, and visualize autonomous decision-making by ACPs?

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Autonomous Leader-Follower UAS Formation for Enhanced Mission Resilience and Reduced Operator Workload - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ01-DV002

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

The objective of this topic is to develop and demonstrate an affordable robust and reliable autonomous leader-follower UAS formation capability, enabling a single First-Person View (FPV) pilot to command and control multiple UAS effectively. This system should incorporate: seamless pilot reassignment in case of lead UAS failure, synchronized terminal guidance capabilities, and an innovative stasis mode for follower units to conserve energy and maintain position. Furthermore, the system must include advanced target designation features, allowing the lead UAS to mark targets for autonomous execution by follower units.

Description:

The increasing complexity and scale of modern military operations demand unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capable of operating autonomously and collaboratively. Current UAS deployments often require dedicated operators for each platform, resulting in high personnel costs and increased cognitive burden on the warfighter. There is a critical need for UAS technologies that can significantly reduce operator workload while enhancing mission effectiveness and resilience, particularly in contested environments where communication and control links may be degraded or disrupted. The ability for a single pilot to effectively manage multiple autonomous UAS in a coordinated formation, with built-in redundancy and adaptive control, represents a significant advancement in UAS capabilities.

Offerors are encouraged to explore innovative approaches to autonomous UAS formation control, incorporating advanced AI algorithms, resilient communication networks (e.g., Neuron Mesh Networks), and robust sensor fusion techniques. The proposed solution should address challenges related to maintaining formation integrity, adapting to dynamic environments, and operating in GPS-denied or contested environments. Innovative approaches to stasis mode are encouraged, optimizing power consumption while maintaining situational awareness. Development should include:

AI-based Autonomous Control Algorithms: For leader-follower formation flight, obstacle avoidance, and target engagement.

Resilient Communication Network: A robust and secure communication network enabling seamless data sharing and control within the UAS formation (potentially leveraging Neuron Mesh Network technologies).

Synchronized Terminal Guidance: Algorithms for coordinated approach and landing of multiple UAS at designated targets.

Stasis Mode: An energy-efficient mode allowing follower UAS to maintain position and situational awareness while minimizing power consumption.

Target Designation System: A user-friendly interface for the pilot to designate targets for autonomous execution by follower units.

Pilot Reassignment Capability: A mechanism for automatic and seamless transfer of lead UAS control to a follower unit in case of failure or loss of communication

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Intelligent Threat Aware Autonomy - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ01-NV006

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

The objectives are to do: 1. Weapon Engagement Zone (WEZ) Modeling: Develop models to represent the area where a weapon can effectively engage targets. This involves considering factors like weapon range, vehicle movement, and threat trajectories, to provide risk measures for path planning and weapons employment.2. WEZ Avoidance: Develop path planning algorithms for ACPs to navigate safely through dynamic WEZs, minimizing risk while reaching objectives efficiently. This requires real-time solutions that can handle multiple static and moving threats.3. Advanced Weaponeering: Optimize weapon usage for ACPs to maximize target capture and neutralization. This includes assigning appropriate weapons to targets, considering target movement and the overall mission context.4. Mutual Support: Investigate how multiple ACPs can cooperate effectively in adversarial situations. This includes coordinated movement to avoid threats and collaborative weapon engagement for increased effectiveness.

Description:

To address future Air Force strategic needs, an increasing number of advanced systems with intelligent autonomy are being envisioned. Intelligent autonomy is central to systems involving advanced automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, adaptive control architectures, and heightened performance compared to the state of the art. A critical need for enabling these future autonomous systems are behaviors that can be leveraged by higher level cognition or mission managers to achieve collaborative mission execution for ACPs. The question that needs to be asked is, “Provided that systems have all the data available to them from sensors and mission objectives, what is it that the systems actually have to do to be successful in their mission?” It is clear that the sensing and available of data is a critical requirement for making informed decisions, this may entail a deep investigation on coupling behaviors with sensing capability; but, the focus of this effort is more toward the thinking and action than the sensing of the sense-think-act process flow. Near term objectives of this work are to invest in basic and applied research to building on the accomplished R&D, address specific identified technical challenges and tools for solving Intelligent Threat Aware Autonomy (ITA2) objectives. Far term objectives involve advanced technology development to constrict ITA2 avionics packages, perform real-time hardware and flight testing of ITA2 products, manufacture vehicles capable of performing ITA2 or hardware that interfaces with current ACPs, and flight test on Air Force / DoD commercial platforms.

Intelligent Threat Aware Autonomy (ITA2) is aimed at finding ways to take measured risks and enable autonomous systems to achieve air superiority in threat laden environments. Multiple facets of this project are to be investigated including: ways of measuring risk from ensuing threats, leveraging own-ship weapon models for capturing targets of interest, avoiding adversarial threats, addressing limited communication range and navigational error, quantifying mutual support and types of mutual support, and measures of force through collaboration and teaming. Lastly, the addressing of uncertainty of own-ship(s) states, target vehicle(s) states, operations boundaries, target vehicle capability, and other forms of uncertainties such as communication delay and environmental disturbances (wind) are important for obtaining reliable and robust behaviors.

Vehicle control is performed by providing the vehicles desired aim-points or waypoint plans in three-dimensional space. The inner loop control systems of aircraft is out of scope of this work; rather, interfacing with current / existing vehicle control technologies is expected though the use of aim-points. This reduces the burden of developing the necessary vehicle control commands such as normal acceleration, roll-rate, and throttle. Furthermore, it leverages the most state of the art methods for performing vehicle control and AI enabling technologies.

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Runtime Assured Autonomy - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ01-NV008

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

The Need for Advanced Autonomy: The Air Force has gained wide interest in fully autonomous, unmanned air platforms operating in teams making collaborative decisions to successfully complete missions. Highest level, real-time decision making will be the responsibility of advanced autonomy. This autonomy will include both flight-level autonomy and mission-level autonomy. Flight-level autonomy functions will generate local commands that keep the vehicle operating safely. Mission-level autonomy functions will continuously deliver courses of action (COAs) to each platform in the fleet, commanding mission progress in real time. Although all vehicles in the fleet will have instantiations of the mission-level autonomy functions, COAs will typically be generated by a chosen fleet leader.

Description:

The Need for Runtime Assured Autonomy: Autonomy approaches under current development can be highly complex and nondeterministic in their behaviors. AFRL is currently developing approaches for autonomously executed missions using complex event processing techniques. This class of autonomy will be difficult, if not impossible, to fully certify from an airworthiness perspective, and therefore cannot be trusted to correctly operate under all mission conditions. Further, the capabilities of artificial intelligence and autonomy are rapidly increasing with continually updated versions and design iterations expected to occur throughout the operational lifecycles of unmanned systems. Such protocols are clearly not amenable to the time consuming and expensive airworthiness certification process.

To address this hurdle, Runtime assured autonomy (RTAA) functions will be needed to perform runtime monitoring of the autonomy and enact procedures to mitigate any adverse effects due to errors in the autonomy design. The safety and performance protections provided by RTAA will lessen the certification burden, allowing rapid fielding of autonomy functions.

Topic Objective: The objective of this topic is to develop innovative approaches to RTAA systems that protect the individual platform and the fleet against undiscovered design errors in the autonomy functions. The focus should be on use cases in which the RTAA determines whether the autonomy is generating infeasible, incorrect, and/or non-optimal solutions (e.g., commanded paths or task allocation) that may affect mission progress and effectiveness.

Several of the Air Force’s Operational Imperatives call for unmanned platforms to support manned platforms. The Advanced Battle Management System, Moving Target Engagement, Tactical Air Dominance and Global Strike imperatives all call for less expensive, attritable uncrewed platforms to aid in executing complex battle missions. These uncrewed systems cannot always be guaranteed to be controlled by remote human operators due to loss of radio communications or saturated operator workload. Full autonomy will need to fill the gap when human command/control cannot. To address future Air Force tactical and strategic needs, an increasing number of advanced systems with intelligent autonomy are being envisioned. Intelligent autonomy is central to systems involving a wide range of advanced adaptation, reconfiguration, autonomous decision making and contingency management.

Assured autonomy is the requirement that the autonomy operates safely and correctly under all circumstances and mission scenarios. RTAA fulfills this Air Force technology need, providing continuous monitoring/mitigation of autonomy functions to deliver required assurances of safe flight and correct mission execution. There are considerable challenges to developing a working RTAA system. The two key functions of the RTAA are:

1. Fault detection & isolation: The RTAA system must be able to determine if the autonomy is correctly producing COAs and other commands, which is especially difficult if agnostic of the autonomy function details. Developing strategies that can indirectly detect and isolate autonomy design faults in dynamic environments will be key to developing the RTAA system. Faults within the autonomy will need to be determined through the effects those faults have on the platform’s safety, performance, and/or mission effectiveness. RTAA fault determination may come from comparing the current actions of the autonomy with nominal functional or performance requirements (e.g., what defines correct behavior), sanity checks, rubrics, rule sets, etc.

2. Mitigation response: If the RTAA determines that errors in the design of the autonomy functions are adversely affecting flight and mission decisions, it must then activate proper recovery or reversionary protocols. This may include first commanding the vehicle to a failsafe loiter point, then clearing functional states and restarting the autonomy functions. As a last resort, the RTAA may activate return-to base or ditch procedures. If available, the RTAA may switch to simpler, reversionary autonomy functions that can continue the mission either temporarily until the advanced autonomy is back online, or to mission completion, if capable.

The two main functional levels of an RTAA system are:

1. Platform/fleet safety: Here, the RTAA typically treats the autonomy functions as a black box and simply monitors the platform and fleet for safety violations. The RTAA will monitor, for example, 1) flight envelope parameters such as angle of attack, angular rates, g-loading, etc., determining if their values remain within prescribed limits, 2) flight corridor values, determining if the vehicles are within their prescribed airspace and location for path deconfliction, and 3) path commands generated by the autonomy functions to determine if the vehicle’s maneuvering capabilities can fly the commanded path. If it is determined that safety violations are ensuing, (and assuming no hardware faults or other contingencies are causing unsafe conditions), then the RTAA will deactivate the autonomy functions and activate simpler reversionary controllers or procedures designed to bring the vehicle/fleet back to a safe state.

2. Autonomy function performance: Here, the RTAA is monitoring for correct and/or optimal performance of the autonomy itself. The RTAA must determine if the autonomy functions are, for example, 1) generating correct COAs, including safe, optimal and deconflicted paths, 2) commanding proper asset allocation and reassignment of platform roles, if necessary (e.g., send the vehicle with the most fuel to the furthest mission point, or use the fastest vehicle for the most time-critical objective, etc.), 3) replanning mission objectives accordingly due to unforeseen changes in the environment (inclement weather, observed adversarial threats, etc.), changes in the commander’s intent (uploaded changes to mission objectives, etc.) or other unforeseen contingencies, and 4) addressing other relevant mission aspects to maximize mission effectiveness.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

AI Framework for Multimodal Scene Construction and Data Generation - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ01-DV005

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

The objective is to develop a capability for generating geo-specific, sensor-independent scenes for multimodal (RF and EO/IR) synthetic data generation by leveraging geo-spatial information, time-of-day, seasonal data, and measured databases, overcoming limitations in existing models and radiometric data.

Description:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

The objective is to develop a capability for generating geo-specific, sensor-independent scenes for multimodal (RF and EO/IR) synthetic data generation by leveraging geo-spatial information, time-of-day, seasonal data, and measured databases, overcoming limitations in existing models and radiometric data.

The DoD requires large-scale, high-fidelity background scenes to advance autonomous systems and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities. These scenes are critical for providing realistic, context-rich environments that enable AI/ML and/or autonomous systems to learn, adapt, and perform effectively in real-world, dynamic conditions. A critical component of this effort is the ability to generate dynamic, high-fidelity background scenes that realistically model operational environments. Unlike traditional synthetic data generation, which often focuses on isolated sensor outputs, scene generation must create a coherent, interactive world where autonomous agents can navigate, perceive, and process imagery based on their movement and decision-making.

This presents several challenges. First, scene generation requires accurate modeling of complex environmental factors such as terrain variation, urban structures, vegetation, weather conditions, and electromagnetic propagation—all of which impact sensor performance. Additionally, ensuring spatial and temporal consistency across multimodal data (e.g., RF and EO/IR) is far more demanding than simply generating independent synthetic datasets. Autonomous systems rely on their ability to interpret changes in the environment dynamically, requiring realistic physics-based interactions between sensors and the scene. Further, aligning RF and EO/IR perspectives within the same scenario for sensor fusion introduces an added layer of complexity, demanding precise calibration of sensor viewpoints, occlusions, and atmospheric effects.

To accurately model such complex environments, scene generation tools must not only produce synthetic RF and EO/IR data but also ensure that these representations align with real-world sensor measurements. When the underlying environment is well-characterized, scene generation tools can generate multimodal imagery alongside ground truth labels, providing ready-made datasets for AI/ML models and autonomous agents. However, their effectiveness is often constrained by the availability of accurate models and measured databases that capture the necessary radiometric and electromagnetic characteristics of the environment. Addressing these limitations requires the development of software that integrates geospatial data, time-of-day, seasonal variations, measured databases, and land cover data to generate detailed representations of the environment. Furthermore, this software must support standardized scene formats compatible with existing simulation tools such as FLITES (EO/IR) and Xpatch (RF), allowing for flexible resolution and fidelity adjustments based on scenario requirements. Finally, a structured approach should be proposed to refine synthetic scene renderings as real-world measurements become available, improving realism and scene fidelity over time.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Low-Cost Modular Payload Vehicle for Agile Electronic Warfare Swarms with Ground Launch Capability - SBIR Topic DAF26BZ01-NV003

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a low-cost, versatile sUAS platform (Group 3 and below) specifically designed to accommodate modular payloads and capable of ground launch. This platform should enable agile electronic warfare applications in swarms. This topic is intended to develop a standalone solution that can be integrated with a variety of payloads, either by modifying an existing sUAS platform or by developing a new platform from the ground up.

Description:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Develop a low-cost, versatile sUAS platform (Group 3 and below) specifically designed to accommodate modular payloads and capable of ground launch. This platform should enable agile electronic warfare applications in swarms. This topic is intended to develop a standalone solution that can be integrated with a variety of payloads, either by modifying an existing sUAS platform or by developing a new platform from the ground up.

The effective deployment of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities relies on agile and adaptable platforms that can rapidly integrate and deploy a variety of payloads. Current sUAS platforms often lack the modularity and flexibility required to support the rapid evolution of EW technology. This topic addresses the need for a low-cost, versatile sUAS platform specifically designed to accommodate modular payloads and designed for ground launch, enabling rapid deployment in diverse operational environments. Proposals may consider either modifying an existing, commercially available sUAS platform to meet the requirements of this topic, or developing a new platform optimized for modularity and ground launch.

The key innovation is the development of a sUAS platform (either new or modified) with a standardized payload interface that allows for rapid integration and swapping of different payloads. This modular design, combined with ground launch capability, will enable:

 Rapid Payload Integration: Simplified and standardized interfaces for connecting power, data, and control signals to the payload.

 Payload Agnosticism: The ability to accommodate a wide range of payload sizes, weights, and power requirements.

 Enhanced Mission Flexibility: The ability to quickly reconfigure the sUAS for different missions by swapping payloads.

 Simplified Logistics: Reduced maintenance and support costs through standardized components and interfaces.

 Ground Launch Compatibility: Robust design specifically for compatibility with ground launch systems, enabling rapid deployment from ground-based platforms, even in challenging terrain.

The sUAS platform should be optimized for operation in low to medium sized swarms (3-10 units), allowing for coordinated EW effects. The design should also prioritize low cost, ease of use, reliability, and the following Key Performance Parameters (KPPs):

 Payload Capacity: Minimum of 5 lbs

 Endurance: Minimum flight time of 45 minutes with a 5 lb payload.

 Range: Minimum operational range of 100 kilometers.

 Ground Launch System Compatibility: Compatible with a readily available ground launch system (e.g., pneumatic launcher, rail system).

 Deployment Time: Capable of being launched and operational within 5 minutes of arrival at the launch site.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Environmental Exposure Detection Technologies and/or Decontamination Treatments for Military Working Dogs - SBIR DHA26BZ01-NV003

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop decontamination treatments for military working dogs that have been exposed to toxic industrial chemicals and materials through the performance of their duties.

Description:

This topic is in support of the DoD Working Dog Strategic Research Plan concerning mitigation, countermeasures and treatments for toxin/toxic exposures1. In modern military operations, military working dogs (MWDs) are at risk of exposure by many different types of hazardous materials. These include toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and materials (TIMs) such as hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, glycols, hazardous metals, gases (hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, freon, carbon monoxide, etc.), acids and alkali substances. Techniques for the decontamination of hazardous material exposures to the surface of the MWD are well defined2,3,4. Although there are useful treatment options for external decontamination, there are few treatment options for toxic exposures that have been absorbed into the body of the MWD.

The objective of this topic is to develop new treatments for MWDs against hazardous materials that have been absorbed into the body either through the skin or mucous membranes, by inhalation, or ingestion. Current systemic treatments employed to care for MWDs include supportive antibiotic therapy for sulfur mustard, atropine injections for nerve agents, and Narcan for narcotics, but there are limited treatment options available for TIC/TIM exposures4,5,6. Systemic treatments for the MWD should be able to be performed by veterinarians and their support personnel (trained animal care specialists (68T) in Role 1 and/or veterinary medical and surgical teams (VMST) in Role 2). Potential MWD systemic treatments could include but are not limited to kits containing indicators or detectors of TIC/TIM exposure with easily identifiable injectable treatments for the identified contaminant (indicator/detector) and/or hemoperfusion systems and filters that can be used to remove contaminants from the blood (systemic). This research topic does not support the use of canines for testing purposes. Any animal testing would require use of a suitable animal model that would approximate the response of a canine.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

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

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

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

Description:

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

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

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

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

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

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

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

Description:

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

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Military Working Dog Whole Blood Product or Substitute - SBIR DHA26BZ01-NV001

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $250,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a whole blood product or substitute to aid in hemorrhage control for Military Working Dogs (MWD) after battlefield injury that can be used near the point of injury (POI) and throughout the continuum of care to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Description:

This topic is in support of the DoD Working Dog Strategic Research Plan concerning solutions for bleeding control and coagulopathy support.1 The Military Working Dog (MWD) provides a unique and important service to the warfighter. MWDs serve as sentries, perform tracking and patrol, and are used for the detection of explosives. These activities come with a high risk of injury. Uncontrolled hemorrhage following traumatic injury accounts for over 45% of all MWD battlefield deaths2. The current standard of care for hemorrhage in the MWD is to provide immediate fluid therapy through the delivery of crystalloid fluids as the first-line treatment, which is then followed by a synthetic colloid or hypertonic saline. These treatments also require the administration of supplemental oxygen to maintain appropriate oxygen levels and for the survival of the MWD3. To improve their survival rates, the development of a shelf stable canine whole blood product or substitute is a critical priority

The goal of this topic is to develop a stable canine whole blood product and/or substitute (i.e. hemoglobin or polymer oxygen carriers), intended for canine use at both POI and throughout the continuum of care. The product should have a shelf-life of greater than 3 years and be thermal stable (-9℃ to 60℃) to ensure accessibility in operational environments. The product must primarily replicate the oxygen carrier characteristics of whole blood and demonstrate the ability to be used safely and effectively to treat blood loss following traumatic injury. This research topic does not support the use of canines for testing purposes. Any animal testing would require use of suitable animal models that would approximate the response of a canine.

Blood products derived from canine donors must be negative for canine red blood cell antigens DEA 1.1 and DEA 1.2. Donor animals must also be tested for blood borne diseases including canine brucellosis, hemobartonellosis, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm disease), Ehrlichia canis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Coccidioides immitis, Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Mycoplasma haemocanis and plasma levels of von Willebrand factor. All donor animals must be current on immunizations for canine distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, leptospirosis, parvovirus, Bordatella, coronavirus and rabies virus as applicable.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Development of Small Molecules with Antifungal Properties for Safe Use in Human Patients (Direct to Phase II) - SBIR DHA26BZ01-DV005

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $1.3 Million

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II and accepts Direct to Phase II proposals only. The proposed research will focus on identifying compounds with broad-spectrum activity against clinically relevant fungal pathogens while minimizing toxicity to humans. The primary objective is to identify a small molecule with fungicidal properties that are safe for human use, with FDA clearance.

Description:

Fungal infections represent a growing global health challenge, particularly among immuno-compromised individuals. Invasive fungal infections caused by pathogens such as Candida species, Aspergillus species, Fusarium species, and Mucor species are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Fungal infections are associated with 130k hospitalizations, 13 million outpatient visits, and result in a financial burden of $19 billion on the civilian health care sector. Fungal wound infections in particular are also growing challenge for the military. Despite the availability of antifungal agents, current treatments are often limited by toxicity, drug resistance, and narrow-spectrum activity. The emergence of multidrug-resistant fungal strains, such as Candida auris, has further exacerbated the need for novel antifungal therapies. Small molecules with antifungal properties offer a promising avenue for addressing these challenges. Their ability to target specific fungal pathways, combined with the potential for oral bioavailability and low manufacturing costs, makes them ideal candidates for therapeutic development. However, significant scientific and technical hurdles remain with the discovery and optimization of small molecules that are both effective against fungal pathogens and safe for human use. Qualified proposals should identify small molecules with antifungal properties from an existing library. These small molecules should be active against all of the following fungi: Fusarium species, Aspergillus species, Candida auris, or Mucorales species. Qualified molecules will have antifungal activity at nanomolar concentrations. Further, these small molecules must have a cytotoxicity profile similar, or better than Amphotericin B.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Low-Cost, Phased Array Antennas for Collaborative Jamming in sUAS Swarms - SBIR Topic DAF26TZ01-NV004

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

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

Funding Amount:

Est. $140,000

Deadline to Apply:

Est. April 29th, 2026.

Objective:

Develop a low-cost, phased array antenna system and associated signal processing techniques for collaborative jamming applications using small to medium-sized sUAS swarms (3-7 units).

Description:

This topic addresses the need for affordable and scalable jamming capabilities leveraging sUAS swarms. Instead of focusing on individual, high-power jammers, this STTR seeks to develop a collaborative jamming approach using multiple sUAS equipped with low-cost phased array antennas.

The key innovation is the development of a low-cost phased array antenna system that can be precisely controlled to focus jamming energy on specific targets. By coordinating the signals from multiple sUAS in a swarm, the effective jamming power can be significantly increased. The focus on low to medium-sized swarms (3-7 units) allows for manageable coordination and control strategies.

This approach offers several advantages over traditional jamming techniques, including:

 Increased jamming effectiveness through beamforming.

 Improved resilience through redundancy.

 Reduced risk of detection and counter-attack.

 Lower cost compared to high-power jamming systems.

Who will win?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

• For-profit company

• U.S.-owned and controlled.

• 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

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

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

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

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) – Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food & Agricultural Systems (A1712) – USDA NIFA

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

Executive Summary:

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding up to $300,000 for extension and integrated (extension + applied research) projects that address urgent impacts of recent weather-related disasters on agricultural production systems, food supply chains, and rural communities. Applications must be submitted within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event. Awards support 12-month rapid deployment projects.

How much funding is available?

Maximum award: $300,000 (including indirect costs). Grant duration: 12 months. Grant types: Standard and FASE (Strengthening Standard) only. Project types: Extension or Integrated (extension + applied research) only.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports rapid, solution-driven efforts that address impacts from naturally occurring weather hazards such as heat, drought, wildfires, tornados, floods, hurricanes, tropical storms, and blizzards.

1. Producer Stabilization & Extension Deployment

Projects that deliver rapid extension programs, technical assistance, and training to farmers, ranchers, and producers impacted by recent weather disasters.

Examples:

·        On-farm technical assistance and recovery protocols

·        Thermal stress mitigation strategies for livestock

·        Drought management tools for crop producers

·        Emergency feed or input optimization guidance

2. Tools & Technology for Rapid Adoption

Projects implementing tools and technologies that can be deployed within 90 days to mitigate disaster impacts.

·        Decision-support software for weather adaptation

·        Remote sensing or monitoring systems

·        Precision irrigation or water conservation technologies

·        Emergency disease or pest monitoring systems triggered by extreme weather

3. Supply Chain & Food System Resilience

Projects addressing disruptions across production, processing, distribution, and food safety logistics caused by weather events.

·        Alternative distribution models during disaster recovery

·        Cold chain stabilization strategies

·        Regional food access logistics

·        Processing infrastructure recovery support

4. Community & Rural Impact Mitigation

Projects supporting individuals, families, and communities to buffer disaster impacts and maintain safe, nutritious, and accessible food supplies.

·        Community resilience planning

·        Localized disaster-response communication strategies

·        Rapid recovery outreach programs

·        Food access coordination in affected regions

At least one activity must be implemented within 90 days of award, and all deliverables must be completed within 12 months.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving a USDA AFRI Rapid Response award:

·        Federal validation tied to disaster resilience and food system stabilization

·        Positioning as a trusted partner for state and regional recovery efforts

·        Strengthened credibility with producers and agricultural stakeholders

·        Non-dilutive capital that extends runway during market uncertainty

·        Enhanced positioning for future USDA and federal resilience funding opportunities

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

• Applications must be submitted within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event. No Letter of Intent is required. Application review and processing are expedited to ensure timely project startup. Awards have a 12-month performance period.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from Congressional appropriations to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Assistance Listing: 10.310.

Who is eligible to apply?

·        Colleges and universities

·        State Agricultural Experiment Stations

·        University research foundations

·        Federal agencies and national laboratories

·        Private organizations and corporations

·        Eligible individuals (U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents)

·        Consortia of eligible entities

Foreign and international organizations are not eligible as primary applicants.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

·        Projects clearly tied to a recent documented weather event

·        Strong justification of urgency and stakeholder need

·        Solutions deployable within 90 days of award

·        High likelihood of rapid adoption by producers or food system operators

·        Clearly defined geographic scope linked to the disaster impact

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

·        Budget requests exceeding $300,000 will not be reviewed.

·        Projects must focus on short-term, urgent disaster response.

·        At least one deliverable must occur within 90 days of award.

·        All projects must include a data management plan.

·        If applied research is commodity-specific and not national in scope, matching funds may be required.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Due to the 45-day submission window, preparation timelines are compressed. Competitive applications typically require 3–6 weeks of focused development, including event documentation, stakeholder justification, and rapid deployment planning.

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Flat fee pricing available upon request.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

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

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.

Collective Autonomy Integration (Build – Measure – Learn) – USSOCOM JATF

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

Executive Summary:

USSOCOM’s Joint Acquisitions Task Force (JATF) is seeking industry capabilities to enable Collective Autonomy for heterogeneous unmanned systems (UxS). The goal is to allow a single SOF operator to command multiple air, ground, and maritime systems through unified C2, autonomous collaboration, shared situational awareness, and resilient networking. Submissions are due May 15, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Specific award size will depend on scope and proposed effort. $500K to $5 million is a common range for these types of opportunities.

What could I use the funding for?

The Overburdened Operator - A small Special Operations Forces (SOF) team is deployed to a complex, contested environment to conduct a time-sensitive mission. The team employs a mix of organic Unmanned Systems (UxS)—including aerial drones for surveillance and a ground robot for reconnaissance—but each system operates on its own proprietary controller and data feed.

The team's operator is overwhelmed. They are forced to manage multiple systems independently, consuming immense cognitive bandwidth to de-conflict flight paths, monitor separate video feeds, and manually relay information. The UxS assets cannot directly communicate or collaborate. The result is a fragmented operational picture, delayed decision-making, and an increased risk to the mission and the force.

USSOCOM Joint Acquisitions Task Force (JATF) is initiating a "Build, Measure, and Learn" cycle to identify and integrate capabilities that enable Collective Autonomy. We are requesting capabilities from the Vulcan ecosystem to help us answer the following questions:

• Unified Command & Control (C2): How can a single operator effectively command a team of heterogeneous UxS (air, ground, maritime) from a single, intuitive interface that is hardware-agnostic?

• Autonomous Collaboration: How can a group of disparate UxS autonomously collaborate to perform complex, multi-step tasks based on a high-level commander's intent (e.g., “Find and maintain custody of all moving vehicles in this sector”)?

• Shared Situational Awareness: What solutions can automatically fuse sensor data from multiple UxS into a single, real-time Common Operational Picture (COP) that is shared among all human and machine agents?

• Resilient Network: How can this autonomous collective maintain C2 and data-sharing in a communications-contested or denied environment?

• Open Architecture: How do your capabilities leverage a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to ensure we can rapidly integrate new platforms, sensors, and algorithms in the future?

Desired End State: Operator as Mission Commander, Not System Manager

The goal is to enable a single SOF operator to effectively command a swarm of autonomous systems. In this end state, the operator issues a mission-level command, and the UxS "pack" autonomously collaborates to plan and execute the task, dynamically adapting to the changing environment.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Government Validation and Credibility:
Engagement with USSOCOM JATF signals strong alignment with Special Operations mission priorities, which can significantly enhance credibility with primes, investors, and defense partners.

Pathway to Non-Dilutive Capital:
If transitioned into SBIR, OTA, or CRADA mechanisms, companies may access non-dilutive development funding to mature and validate their technology.

Operational Feedback from SOF Users:
Direct interaction with operators and subject matter experts provides invaluable real-world feedback that accelerates product-market fit for defense applications.

Ecosystem Access:
Participation can open doors to integration opportunities across the broader USSOCOM and DoD autonomy ecosystem.

Enhanced Exit and Valuation Potential:
Demonstrated integration into SOF missions and government-backed validation can materially increase enterprise value, particularly for dual-use autonomy and AI companies.

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

Deadline: May 15, 2026 (23:59 CDT)

This solicitation does not guarantee funding. If selected for follow-on engagement, timelines would depend on the chosen contracting mechanism (e.g., SBIR, OTA, CRADA).selection and award are expected shortly after down-select.

Where does this funding come from?

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), via the Joint Acquisitions Task Force (JATF).

Who is eligible to apply?

Industry partners within the Vulcan ecosystem capable of providing solutions aligned to Collective Autonomy requirements.

No geographic restrictions are stated.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Solutions most aligned with the following priorities will be strongest:

• Demonstrated capability to unify heterogeneous UxS under a single hardware-agnostic C2 interface.

• Proven autonomous collaboration enabling execution of mission-level intent without manual micro-management.

• Real-time sensor fusion into a shared Common Operational Picture.

• Resilience in communications-contested or denied environments.

• Clear adherence to a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for future extensibility.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• This solicitation is for awareness and collaboration only; it is not an acquisition action.

• NO classified or proprietary information should be submitted.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Companies should plan for 2–4 weeks to prepare a complete submission package, including:

• Company profile

• Product whitepaper

• Pitch deck

• System blueprint/architecture

• Technology development plan with TRL and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM)

Preparation time depends on existing documentation maturity.

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

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

Additional Resources

Review the opportunity here.

Rapid Stabilization and Barcoding Challenge – Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

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

Executive Summary:

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking U.S.-based industry, academic, and nonprofit organizations to prototype a fully integrated, handheld system that eliminates cold-chain requirements for chemical and biological samples. The system must stabilize molecules at ambient conditions, integrate barcode-based lifecycle tracking, and automate sampling. Applications are due March 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding Award Size: $300K to $5 Million+

Awards will be made under the ONIX OTA in coordination with ACC-RI. Specific award size will depend on scope and proposed effort.

What could I use the funding for?

Overall Objective

DTRA is seeking to develop Rapid Stabilization and Barcoding prototypes and test these for operational relevancy. This effort aims to research and develop innovative stabilization technologies that leverage custom stable porous capillary-fibrous scaffolds, providing high permeability and improved surface-area-to-volume ratios to enhance binding and stabilization efficiency of molecules and reagents, ultimately ensuring assay consistency.  Systems should improve utility of vitrification under vacuum and rapid drying of molecules and reagents, supporting the general services for years to come.  Alternatives to lyophilization may include methodologies that avoid freezing and/or boiling of molecules or reagents, prevent solution crystallization, and eliminate the use of liquid nitrogen for storage.

To support rapid and reliable sample stabilization in field environments, the system must also incorporate robust barcode-based sample tracking.

Problem Statement

Current reliance on cold-chain logistics places a burden on the general forces due to reagents and sample degradation. Further, sample tracking approaches often rely on handwritten labels, inconsistent naming conventions, and manual tracking; all of which introduce vulnerabilities such as mislabeling and loss of chain-of-custody. This effort seeks industry solutions that will result in rapid stabilization and barcoding.

Desired Solution

·       Sustain structural stability of chemical and biological molecules for storage at room temperature for at least 12 months, in various environmental conditions.

·       Perform in a wide variety of environmental MIL STD 810H conditions, ranging from -20 ℃ to 55 ℃ and 10-95% relative humidity.

·       Mitigate degradation risks from sample matrix complexities.

·     Have a simple and standardized workflow.  End-user training should be completed within one hour, with minimal operational complexity and no specialized technical expertise required.

·       Complete the entire vitrification process, from sample collection to final stabilization, within 30 minutes.

·       Require low power, enabling operation in austere and off-grid environments.  If a battery is necessary, the system should utilize lightweight solid-state batteries.

·       Be handheld and portable, preferably less than 30 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm and weigh less than 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) is the preferred end goal.

·       Remain low in costs, at approximately $100 or less for reusable systems or $25 or less for single-use systems when purchased in quantity.

·       Integrate automated sample collection mechanisms that enable consistent and repeatable sampling.

·       Read 1D and 2D barcodes on labels, vials, and screens.

·       Be MIL STD 810H compliant for shock, dust, humidity, and temperature extremes.

·       Support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi options for direct integration with field instruments.

·       Have a minimum 12 hours of continuous and wireless scanning.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the direct funding award, there are meaningful indirect benefits:

Government Validation and Credibility:
Selection by DTRA RD-CB signals strong technical credibility in chemical and biological defense technologies, which can accelerate follow-on DoD opportunities.

Enhanced Market Visibility:
Awardees gain visibility within the CBRN defense ecosystem and may benefit from broader recognition through DoD networks.

Dual-Use Positioning:
Technologies that eliminate cold-chain requirements and improve sample tracking have applications in biodefense, public health, field diagnostics, and industrial biosurveillance.

Nondilutive Capital:
OTA-based funding allows you to mature hardware and IP without equity dilution, strengthening valuation and exit potential.

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

• Submission Deadline: March 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM

• Anticipated Down-Select: 30–45 days after posting

Specific award start dates are not listed, but selection and award are expected shortly after down-select.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Research and Development, Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate (RD-CB), in support of the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Defense.

Awards will be made under the ONIX OTA in coordination with ACC-RI.

Who is eligible to apply?

• U.S.-based industry organizations

• U.S.-based academic institutions

• U.S.-based nonprofit organizations

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the scoring rubric, competitive proposals will demonstrate:

• A technically viable stabilization methodology using porous capillary-fibrous scaffolds (or alternatives that prevent freezing, boiling, crystallization, and eliminate liquid nitrogen dependency)

• Full integration of 1D/2D barcode tracking with LIMS compatibility

• Reliable automated sampling with reduced operator involvement

• Demonstrated ability to meet 12-month room-temperature stability across MIL STD 810H conditions

• Clear milestones, realistic deliverables, credible past performance, and well-justified costs/IP strategy

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Must be U.S.-based.

• Must comply with MIL STD 810H environmental requirements.

• System must meet specific SWaP-C targets and defined cost thresholds.

• Submission length limited to 2–10 pages (plus required company and past performance pages).

• Submission required via GoColosseum platform.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Given the 2–10 page technical response, plus company and past performance pages and milestone-based cost structure, most teams should expect approximately 2–4 weeks to prepare a competitive submission, depending on readiness of technical concept and prior materials.

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

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

Additional Resources

Review the opportunity here.

ARPA-H - BIOGAMI: Biomolecular Grammar for Protein Aggregation Modulation and Intervention

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

Executive Summary:

ARPA-H’s BIOGAMI program is funding teams to predict, detect, and control protein misfolding before disease begins. The program targets intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and regions (IDRs), which are implicated in neurodegeneration, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases and are largely considered “undruggable.”

Solution Summary Due: March 4, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)

Funding & Structure

1. Awards: Multiple OT awards anticipated

2. Program Length: Up to 48 months

3. Phases:

   • Phase 1 (0–24 months): Model IDR behavior and demonstrate early modulation and sensing

   • Phase 2 (25–48 months): Translate to preventative therapeutics and early detection tools

4. Down-selection occurs after Phase 1 based on quantitative technical metrics.

What ARPA-H Is Trying to Build

BIOGAMI aims to create a generalizable, reusable platform that can:

• Predict IDR structure, dynamics, aggregation, and interactions from sequence

• Modulate protein folding to prevent or reverse aggregation

• Identify early indicators of misfolding—before symptoms appear

• Enable new therapeutic classes for currently undruggable targets

The program emphasizes root-cause intervention, not symptomatic treatment.

Technical Scope (Both Required)

Technical Area 1 (TA1): Molecular Grammar of IDRs

TA1 teams must establish foundational models that explain how IDR sequences and environments drive protein behavior.

Key requirements include:

• Integrated AI/ML + experimental approaches

• High-throughput in vitro, cell-based, and in vivo systems

• Prediction of structure, aggregation, condensate formation, and interactomes

• Validation across diverse sequences, conditions, and post-translational modifications

• Open-source sharing of TA1 models and datasets

By Phase 2, models must predict and validate IDR properties within 60 days of receiving a sequence.

Technical Area 2 (TA2): Modulate IDPs to Detect and Control Folding

TA2 focuses on therapeutic and diagnostic translation.

Teams must:

• Prevent or reverse aggregation and restore protein function

• Develop early, clinically translatable indicators of misfolding

• Target two diseases:

  • One rare disease (<1 in 100,000)

  • One non-rare disease
    (across neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative categories)

By Phase 2, teams must:

• Demonstrate in vivo efficacy

• Preserve or restore >90% of critical protein function

• Validate ≥1 novel biomarker and prepare for FDA Biomarker Qualification engagement

Eligible Applicants

• Startups and large companies

• Universities and nonprofits

• Multi-party teams required (not prime/sub)

• Not eligible:

• FFRDCs and government entities as performers

• Entities from covered foreign countries or foreign entities of concern

• Work is prioritized to be performed in the United States.

Evaluation Criteria (In Order)

Scientific and technical merit

1. Team capability and experience

2. Relevance to ARPA-H mission and health impact

3. Cost realism and value

Commercialization Expectations

1. 5-year and 10-year commercialization plans required

2. Translation Advisory Board required

3. Active or planned commercial partnerships strongly encouraged

4. TA2 outputs expected to be positioned for pre-clinical development

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps biotech and deep-tech teams quickly determine whether BIOGAMI is the right opportunity and, if so, how to pursue it with a credible, ARPA-H–ready strategy by translating dense solicitation language into clear founder-level guidance, pressure-testing technical and team fit against TA1/TA2 requirements and metrics, shaping a compelling program narrative that aligns AI, biology, and validation, designing compliant multi-party teaming structures, aligning commercialization and open-source expectations, and proactively flagging proposal risks—so teams can move confidently toward a competitive submission or make an informed decision to walk away.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

With a flat rate of $4000, you’d work with our grant writing team to put the solution summary together and submit before the March 4th deadline.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

MassVentures START (SBIR TARgeted Technologies) Program Round 1 Grants

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

Executive Summary:

MassVentures’ START program provides non-dilutive grants to help Massachusetts companies that have already won a federal Phase II SBIR or STTR award (or equivalent) move toward commercialization. The program’s stated goals include commercialization, job growth, manufacturing expansion, and statewide innovation.

Who should apply?

1. You are a Massachusetts company that conducts R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization primarily in MA, and is committed to continuing to do so.

2. You have received a federal Phase II SBIR or STTR award (or equivalent).

3. You expect to spend START funds primarily in Massachusetts.

Timing note: There is no strict requirement on when your qualifying Phase II was received. If it was more than five years ago, you’re expected to explain why it’s still commercially relevant today.

Funding snapshot:

16 winners will receive $100k in Round 1 in 2026 (paid in two installments). Round 1 winners will be eligible to compete for 7 Round 2 awards in 2027 for $200k. Round 3 is finally for $500k for 3 awardees.

Key dates:

• Application deadline: Monday, February 23, 2026 — 11:59 PM ET

• Top 16 selected - March 23, 2026

• Winners Notified - April 30th, 2026

• Winner’s breakfast - May/June

What you must submit:

1. 2026 Application Cover Sheet (contact information)

2. 1000-word summary covering: the technology, its commercial potential, and the team

3. 3-minute video

4. Cover page of your SBIR Phase II award contract (proof of award)

How applications are evaluated:

This RFP references learning “what makes a successful application” and “what judges look for” during the info session, but it does not list formal scoring criteria in the text provided.
What is explicitly required in the application suggests emphasis on:

• Clear explanation of the technology

• Credible commercial potential

• Strength of the team

Practical guidance for CEOs

1. Treat the 1000-word summary as your “investment memo”: what it is, why it wins, how it becomes a business.

2. Use the 3-minute video to make the story memorable and concrete: problem → solution → proof → market → plan.

3. If your Phase II is older than 5 years, be direct about why it still matters commercially now.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps founders and CEOs decide quickly whether this opportunity is worth pursuing and how to win it. We translate the START RFP into plain-English strategy, pressure-test fit and competitiveness, shape a clear commercialization narrative for the 1,000-word summary and 3-minute video, and manage the application end-to-end so your team stays focused on building the business. Our goal is to reduce time burden, avoid preventable mistakes, and submit a credible, CEO-ready application aligned with what MassVentures is explicitly asking for.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

With a flat rate of $2500, you’d work with our grant writing team to put the application together and submit before the February 23rd deadline.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

5G Deployable Systems – Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

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

Executive Summary:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is conducting market research to identify deployable 5G systems that can support DHS operational needs. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to collect technical, operational, and cost-related information from vendors to inform potential future procurement decisions. Responses must be submitted through the Vulcan platform by March 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

How much funding would I receive?

Est. $500K to $5 million in the future, however this is currently only a Request for Information (RFI) only.

What could I use the funding for?

DHS is requesting information on deployable 5G system capabilities.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

While no funding is initially provided, responding to this RFI will offer strategic benefits, including early visibility into DHS operational requirements, increased exposure to DHS S&T stakeholders, and the opportunity to be considered for future solicitations informed by this market research. DHS also notes that it may conduct one-on-one meetings and system demonstrations with selected respondents as part of its evaluation process.

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

Responses must be submitted no later than March 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time via the Vulcan platform. No funding will be awarded under this RFI but funding could be awarded via other methods in Q4 2026 (estimate).

Where does this funding come from?

No funding is associated with this RFI. It is issued solely for information gathering and market research purposes by DHS S&T.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any vendor capable of providing deployable 5G systems that meet DHS operational needs may submit a response. Respondent technologies must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or higher.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DHS explicitly requests information from systems that:

• Are deployable and operationally relevant to DHS missions

• Support 4G LTE, 5G NSA, 5G SA, and/or ORAN technologies

• Demonstrate TRL 7, 8, or 9 maturity

• Include detailed performance, security, and cost data

• Can be demonstrated in a 1-to-2-day operational demonstration

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. DHS explicitly states that it does not intend to receive proprietary, trade secret, or confidential business information, and all submissions become the property of the U.S. Government. Participation does not transfer any intellectual property rights, and DHS is not obligated to issue a future solicitation.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The RFI requires a detailed technical response covering system design, performance, security, deployment, cost models, and supporting documentation. Preparation time will vary, but respondents should expect a non-trivial effort comparable to a technical white paper plus cost and demonstration planning materials.

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

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

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Position, Navigation, & Timing at the Tactical Edge – Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC)

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

Executive Summary:

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) is seeking Assured and Alternate Position, Navigation, & Timing (APNT) technologies that enable military forces to operate effectively in GNSS-denied, contested, or degraded environments. This call supports market research via Vulcan scout card submissions for solutions applicable to dismounted soldiers, vehicles, maritime platforms, and uncrewed systems. Submissions are due by April 30, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Est. $500K to $5 million. No funding amount is specified in the source materials. This call is explicitly positioned as market research, not a guaranteed funding award however almost certainly selected technologies will inform future procurement, trials, and funded programs.

What could I use the funding for?

Cyber & Specialist Operations Command is interested in Assured and Alternate Position, Navigation, & Timing (APNT) technologies for use by dismounted soldiers or on vehicle platforms, both static and on-the-move. The proposals should be able to contribute to the ability for Force Elements to continue to operate in a GNSS denied, contested, or degraded environment.

Potential use cases could include:

• Dismounted Soldier

• Maritime Mobility (Surface and Sub-Surface)

• Land Mobility Vehicles

• Uncrewed Vehicles (in all domains)

Technologies should be compatible with existing systems (i.e. plug and play) and may be hardware based or software based (for example, data fusion engines).

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond any future funding opportunity, participation offers meaningful indirect benefits:

Government Validation and Strategic Visibility:
Engaging directly with CSOC provides early validation from the UK Ministry of Defence’s lead command for cyber and specialist operations, signaling relevance to NATO-aligned defence priorities.

Positioning for Follow-On Contracts:
Market research submissions often inform future trials, procurements, and funded defense programs, positioning companies early in the acquisition pipeline.

Access to a High-Value Defence Ecosystem:
CSOC operates across cyber, intelligence, special operations, and electromagnetic domains, creating downstream opportunities for collaboration with allied forces, primes, and specialist units.

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

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 18:59 CDT

No funding or award timeline is specified in the materials.

Where does this funding come from?

This opportunity is issued by the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. No specific funding vehicle or appropriation is identified.

Who is eligible to apply?

Everyone - including US Companies.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the stated interests, strong submissions are likely to demonstrate:

• Proven or plausible performance in GNSS-denied or contested environments

• Applicability across multiple platforms or domains

• Plug-and-play compatibility with existing systems

• Maturity suitable for military evaluation or experimentation

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Duplicate scout cards are not permitted and will be removed.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Initial participation requires submission of a Scout Card. For a first time applicant this will take 20-40 hours to submit without assistance from BW&CO.

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $4,000 for the Scout Card Submission.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

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

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Fast and Curious – DARPA Defense Sciences Office (DSO)

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

Executive Summary:

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

How much funding is available?

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

What could I use the funding for?

See a detailed description here.

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

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

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where does this funding come from?

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

Who is eligible to apply?

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

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA will evaluate proposals based on:

• Scientific and technical merit, feasibility, and innovation

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

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

• Well-defined milestones with credible risk mitigation strategies

• Reasonable and well-justified pricing

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

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

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

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

How can BW&CO help?

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

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

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

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

How much would BW&CO Charge?

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

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

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

Additional Resources

See the solicitation here.