Innovation Funding Database
Robotics & Autonomous Systems Funding
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Types of Opportunities
Broad Topics
Broad topics cover wide areas of interest where the government wants solutions. They’re open-ended and give you room to define how your idea fits the mission.
Specific Topics
Specific topics describe clearly defined needs with exact technical goals or outcomes. They’re focused requests for solutions that meet specific requirements.
Broad Topic Opportunities:
Start Applying ASAP:
Either the deadline is approaching or there is a competitive reason for applying early (such as funds that will be awarded on a first come first serve basis)
Deadline: Rolling Deadline
Funding Award Size: $5m
Description: Learn how the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) funds innovative commercial technologies across robotics, AI, autonomy, power systems, software, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and defense applications.
Deadline: July 22, 2026
Funding Award Size: $5m
Description: Learn about the DIU Specular MIST Prize Challenge, offering a $5 million prize pool for commercial technologies supporting maritime electronic warfare, radar simulation, and electronic surveillance. Explore eligibility, funding, timelines, and how to apply before the July 22, 2026 deadline.
Deadline: July 23, 2026
Funding Award Size: $500k+
Description: Apply for the Defense Innovation Unit's Massed Modular Aircraft solicitation. Learn eligibility, prototype OTA requirements, evaluation criteria, application deadline, and follow-on production opportunities.
Deadline: October 8, 2026
Funding Award Size: $500k+
Description: Rapid Prototyping and Flight Demonstration of Medium-Range Affordable Mass Munition (MRAMM) Air Vehicle Configurations opportunity supporting affordable mass air-to-air weapon prototypes for collaborative combat aircraft, fighter platforms, and future operational systems through the ONIX OTA.
Deadline: July 7, 2027
Funding Award Size: $500k+
Description: Apply for the NSWC Crane Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), an open defense R&D funding opportunity supporting electronic warfare, AI, hypersonics, sensors, power systems, microelectronics, and other national security technologies. Rolling submissions accepted through July 7, 2027.
Deadline: July 22nd
Funding Award Size: Under $2m
Description: Learn about DARPA's Advancing Autonomous Science for Biological Applications RFI (DARPA-SN-26-96), including eligibility, response requirements, research topics, submission deadline, and how organizations can help shape future DARPA programs.
Deadline: July 27th
Funding Award Size: $305K + $1.25M+ in follow-on funding
Description: Apply for NSF SBIR/STTR funding for high-risk, high-impact technologies. U.S. startups can receive up to $305K in Phase I funding and up to $1.25M in Phase II. Project Pitch submissions begin June 2, 2026.
Deadline: September 5th, 2026
Funding Award Size: $300k - $2m
Description: Apply for up to $2.1M in NIH SBIR funding for osteoarthritis research using organoids, tissue chips, AI, regenerative medicine, and non-animal technologies. Learn eligibility, timelines, and funding uses.
Deadline: June 24, 2026
Funding Award Size: TBD
Description: The Department of Defense is seeking advanced manufacturing solutions for next-generation supersonic aircraft through the Tradewinds WIRE Special Topic. Submit by June 24, 2026, 12:00PM EST.
Deadline: June 10th, 2026
Funding Award Size: $75k - $400k
Description: The SBA Patriot Pitch Competition will award up to $1 million to innovative U.S. small businesses that have used SBA-backed capital products. Eligible companies can compete for prizes up to $400,000. Applications close June 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
Deadline: July Deadlines
Funding Award Size: $1.5m - $50m
Description: NSF X-Labs is offering up to $50M/year for independent R&D teams developing breakthrough quantum systems, integrated photonics, sensing, and imaging platform technologies. Learn deadlines, eligibility, and topic requirements for the 2026 NSF X-Labs funding opportunity.
Deadline: Summer 2026
Funding Award Size: Typically $75k - $15m
Description: Explore AFWERX Open Topic, SBIR/STTR, D2P2, and STRATFI/TACFI funding opportunities for startups and defense tech companies in AI, space, autonomy, cybersecurity, hypersonics, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technologies.
Deadline: Rolling Deadline
Funding Award Size: $500k - $5m
Description: Apply to the LUCAS Component Challenge for funding to develop low-cost UAV components and defense technologies. Open for 120 days with rolling reviews and rapid awards.
Deadline: May 19th
Funding Award Size: $500k - $5m
Description: Apply by May 19, 2026 at 07:00 PM for U.S. Army funding to design and deploy a solar + battery microgrid at Fort Stewart. Prototype project with follow-on potential at Hunter Army Airfield.
Deadline: ASAP
Funding Award Size: $500k - $5m
Description: Explore the ACC/A2 & Air Force Intelligence Community CSO (FA7037-26-S-C001). Monitor for AI, cyber, JADC2, and data innovation funding opportunities.
Deadline: July 7, 2026
Funding Award Size: $200k
Description: The U.S. DOT SBIR FY26 Phase I pre-solicitation is open through May 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Explore key dates, funding opportunities, and how to prepare for the upcoming solicitation.
Deadline: June 29th
Funding Award Size: $250k - $1m
Description: ED/IES SBIR Phase IA, Phase IB, and Direct to Phase II. Learn funding amounts, eligibility, and which track is right for your edtech startup. Deadlines June 29, 2026.
Deadline: May 21st, 2026
Funding Award Size: $225k
Description: Apply for NASA SBIR 2026 funding—up to $225K for deep tech startups. Deadline May 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Limited submissions.
Deadline: Rolling Submission Deadline
Funding Award Size: $20M–$100M
Description: AFRL MSDEW ARA offers $20M–$100M awards for electronic warfare, sensor fusion, and defense systems. Rolling calls open through 13 JULY 2027.
Deadline: September 30th
Funding Award Size: Est. $500K to $5M
Description: Apply for FY26 Navy propulsion and power R&D funding through NAWCAD’s open BAA. Submit white papers by 30 September 2026 across energy, propulsion, and aircraft systems.
Deadline: Rolling deadline until December 31, 2026
Funding Award Size: Est. $500K to $5M
Description: Rolling submission program connecting commercial technologies to USSOCOM needs across AI, ISR, cyber, mobility, medical, and more, with multiple non-dilutive funding pathways.
Deadline: Rolling Deadline Until September 30, 2026
Funding Award Size: Est. $500K to $5M
Description: Funding for basic and applied research across defense-critical areas including AI, materials, energy, cybersecurity, sensing, and space systems to advance U.S. Navy capabilities.
Deadline: April 3rd
Funding Award Size: $500k -$2m
Description: Apply to the REEF CSO for funding to develop underwater detection, tracking, and defense systems for U.S. and UK applications. Deadline: 2026-04-03
Deadline: April 6th, 2026
Funding Award Size: $500k - $2m
Description: Apply for U.S. Army GVSC funding through a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). Open to innovative commercial technologies in autonomy, power systems, AI, and defense. Key deadline: April 6, 2026.
Deadline: TBD
Funding Award Size: $500k - $2m
Description: Apply to the Army Applications Lab DevX Autonomy Open Call for innovative autonomous and unmanned system solutions. Rolling submissions through 31 August 2026 with monthly deadlines.
Deadline: December 31st, 2026
Funding Award Size: $500k - $5m
Description: The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is seeking innovative technologies for infrastructure, water modeling, AI, robotics, and ecosystem management.
Deadline: March 22nd
Funding Award Size: $200 - $2m
Description: COMSUBFOR seeks emerging technologies for Offensive Subsea and Seabed Warfare (SSW), including autonomous and remotely operated seabed attack systems. Deadline: March 22nd.
Deadline: Within 45 calendar days of a qualifying weather event or disaster
Funding Award Size: Up to $300,000 (12-month project period)
Description: Rolling USDA funding for rapid extension and applied research projects that mitigate agricultural production, supply chain, and community impacts from recent weather-related disasters, including droughts, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme temperature events.
Deadline: February 17, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time
Funding Award Size: $300K to $5M+
Description: Apply for DIU funding for containerized autonomous drone delivery systems. OT prototype contracts with DoD. Deadline Feb 17, 2026.
Specific Topic Opportunities:
Start Applying ASAP:
Either the deadline is approaching or there is a competitive reason for applying early (such as funds that will be awarded on a first come first serve basis)
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Apply for up to $314,000 in MDA SBIR funding to develop GPS-denied event-based navigation for missile defense and space systems. Deadline: August 19, 2026.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2,000,000
Description: The United States currently faces an "unprecedented" military buildup by China and increasing air and missile threats that demand a robust deterrent. However, the current inventory of longrange strike weapons is dominated by high-cost, low-volume systems or aging strategic assets like the Minuteman III, which dates back to the 1960s. The lack of a cost-effective, ground-launched payload delivery system prevents the Joint Force from achieving producibility at scale, leaving the U.S. vulnerable in high-intensity, multi-domain environments where high-end munitions would be rapidly depleted. The objective of this topic is to facilitate innovative research on low-cost, rapidly manufacturable, payload delivery systems.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2,000,000
Description: This topic will explore optimizing the UH-60M interior to provide improved capability over the existing HH-60M in terms of survivability, functionality, and patient access by designing a modular Patient Handling System (PHS) that could be tailored to fit a multitude of aircraft.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $300k
Description: Develop and integrate a distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively command and control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $300k
Description: Develop and integrate a distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively command and control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2m
Description: Development and application of highly dispersible, survivable, and scalable kinetic defeat mechanisms capable of neutralizing Group 1-3 UAS threats.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2m
Description: The objective of this SBIR is to develop integrated digital capabilities that will assist spaceport operations in enhancing mission readiness.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $175k
Description: The objective of this Phase I effort is to identify, assess, and demonstrate the feasibility of novel, non–missile-warning space and/or ground enabled sensing and analytic capabilities that can deliver rapid, commercially derived insights with meaningful operational utility.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $315k
Description: Provide specialized waveguides capable of high temperature, high power, low loss, robust, and agile transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals within a hypersonic vehicle.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $315k
Description: Develop an environmentally friendly processing method to produce a plant-based carbon fiber precursor for high-temperature applications.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $1.2m
Description: Develop and demonstrate a co-packaged temperature-hard (-269°C to +600°C) and radiation-tolerant NOR Flash memory system for extreme environment applications.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $1.5m
Description: The goal of this effort is to combine advanced machine learning (ML) methods that can be computationally efficient in structured data with large language models (LLM) that are general and can extract context from data. The aim is to derive powerful and efficient technology for interactive statistical analysis of large-scale data seen such as in enterprise or battlefield.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2m
Description: To develop and demonstrate a predictive/forecasting model that leverages Temporal Knowledge Graph Forecasting using In-Context Learning from novel, multilingual, and multimodal data. The goal is to develop and test a capability that increases the forecasting timeline from days to weeks in advance of an event, while increasing forecasting precision to at least 90%.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop a universal assessment framework capable of automating Control Validation Tests (CVT) across diverse operating environments (Cloud, On-Premise, and Air-Gapped/Tactical). The solution must ingest data from existing vulnerability scanners and automatically correlate technical findings to NIST SP 800-53 controls, reducing manual administrative overhead and allowing assessment teams to focus on mission-critical risk analysis.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Realize next-generation neuromorphic technology to enable continuous adaptation and self-optimization to maintain overmatch in Electronic Warfare (EW) and cyber-contested domains.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: To advance and adopt chip-scale photonic and quantum technologies for operation in the Missile Defense System.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: The application of Very Large Array (VLA) techniques to the utilization of existing transmission infrastructure.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop low-cost software defined circular-band (ring shape) antenna for near-omnidirectional missile to missile communication in high-speed endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric environments.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop a process to radiation harden commercial microelectronics that were not originally designed to operate in radiation environments.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop and demonstrate advanced thermal battery technology that significantly reduces size and weight while extending operational life, enabling enhanced performance and mission capabilities for missile defense systems.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Design and develop an agile software defined radio (SDR) system capable of supporting multi-band communications with advanced frequency management for interceptor platforms.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop and demonstrate low-volatility, reduced-toxicity hypergolic fuels suitable for Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS) thrusters while maintaining critical performance metrics when paired with standard oxidizers.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: This open topic seeks to develop and implement advanced analytical techniques for processing and interpreting historical radiation data (space-based and simulated) to improve the accuracy and predictive capabilities of radiation models, particularly concerning sensor performance and spacecraft survivability.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop a reliable, lightweight ignition system for solid propellant propulsion systems that is capable of multiple ignitions.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $250k - $2m
Description: Develop innovative, transition-ready prototype solutions that leverage Department of War inventions made available through the T3CP Patent Holiday Initiative in the areas of Microelectronics, Advanced Materials, Energetics, Munitions, and Critical Minerals and supply-chain-enabling technologies.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2,000,000+
Description: Develop one or more multicomponent prototypes realizing a commercially viable quantum-sensor-related component in an integrated module.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2,000,000+
Description: To design, develop, and demonstrate a large étendue, high spectral resolution Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne (ASH) interferometer optimized for quantum sensing, quantum communication support, and dual-use remote sensing applications.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2,000,000+
Description: Demonstrate a Photon-Number-Resolution pixel array with high counting rates that remains scalable to megapixel size.
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $2,000,000
Description: The objective of this project is to develop a nanophotonic-enabled spatial light modulator array with modulation a few orders (>10X) faster than the state-of-the-art commercial technologies
Deadline: August 19th
Funding Award Size: $314k
Description: Develop an AI/ML-controlled radar waveform generator that dynamically designs a waveform, including adjustments to frequency, modulation, or code in real time to optimize performance under changing conditions and to evade jamming.
Deadline: April 30th, 2030
Funding Award Size: $5m
Description: AFRL's Enterprise CSO funds commercial tech via rolling "Spirals" across 94 Areas of Interest, from hypersonics to quantum. See eligibility, funding, and how to apply.