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Accelerator Atlas
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AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic)

Defense & Space · Run by AFWERX (Air Force Research Laboratory, Department of the Air Force)

Verified Oct 1, 2026Official websiteHow to apply

Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.

The facts

All fields verified Oct 1, 2026
Terms model
Non-dilutiveGives money that does not take equity: grants, prizes, or credits. Your ownership is untouched.
Investment
Phase I: up to $323,000 (up to six months); Phase II: up to $2.1 million; TACFI: $375,000 to $2 million; STRATFI: $3 million to $15 million in SBIR/STTR funds; Strategic Breakthrough: up to $30 million with a 1:1 match
Equity taken
Not publishedNot an equity accelerator: AFWERX manages the Department of the Air Force's SBIR and STTR programs, which award non-dilutive contracts. Per the AFWERX Get Funded page (September 28, 2026): Phase I runs up to six months and pays up to $323,000; Phase II runs up to 24 months and pays up to $2.1 million, and companies with a mature solution, an identified DAF customer and end user, and a signed Customer Memorandum can apply directly to Phase II (D2P2). Sequential funding for companies with a current or recent Phase II: TACFI $375,000 to $2 million with 1:1 cost sharing (up to 24 months); STRATFI $3 million to $15 million in SBIR/STTR funding, matched by $6 million to $45 million in government or private investment (up to 48 months); Strategic Breakthrough, a federal award of up to $30 million with a required 1:1 match (up to 48 months). investment_amount states STRATFI as the SBIR/STTR-funded portion, the same convention as the spacewerx record. equity_pct null because government contracts take no equity. City/state null: AFWERX works from several locations and proposals are submitted online through DSIP.
Program length
Not published
Format
Remote
Location
Not published
Cohorts per year
Not published
Cohort size
Not published
Stage focus
small businesses, pre-seed through growth (dual-use)
Sub-vertical
dual-use defense technology (Air Force)
Demographic focus
Not published
Backers
U.S. Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory
Notable alumni
Not published

Terms notes: Not an equity accelerator: AFWERX manages the Department of the Air Force's SBIR and STTR programs, which award non-dilutive contracts. Per the AFWERX Get Funded page (September 28, 2026): Phase I runs up to six months and pays up to $323,000; Phase II runs up to 24 months and pays up to $2.1 million, and companies with a mature solution, an identified DAF customer and end user, and a signed Customer Memorandum can apply directly to Phase II (D2P2). Sequential funding for companies with a current or recent Phase II: TACFI $375,000 to $2 million with 1:1 cost sharing (up to 24 months); STRATFI $3 million to $15 million in SBIR/STTR funding, matched by $6 million to $45 million in government or private investment (up to 48 months); Strategic Breakthrough, a federal award of up to $30 million with a required 1:1 match (up to 48 months). investment_amount states STRATFI as the SBIR/STTR-funded portion, the same convention as the spacewerx record. equity_pct null because government contracts take no equity. City/state null: AFWERX works from several locations and proposals are submitted online through DSIP.

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Terms in plain English

AFWERX runs the Department of the Air Force's SBIR and STTR programs, a funding pipeline rather than an accelerator: the Air Force and Space Force award small businesses non-dilutive R&D contracts, meaning the government pays for the work and takes no equity. Phase I is a feasibility study worth up to $323,000 over up to six months, and Phase II funds prototype development worth up to $2.1 million over up to 24 months; companies with a mature solution, an identified Air Force customer and a signed Customer Memorandum can apply directly to Phase II. Companies with a current or recent Phase II can compete for larger follow-on funding that requires matching funds, TACFI at $375,000 to $2 million and STRATFI at $3 million to $15 million in SBIR/STTR funds, and a Strategic Breakthrough award of up to $30 million with a 1:1 match. Proposals are accepted only during monthly solicitation releases, each open for about four weeks, through the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) at dodsbirsttr.mil.

Who this is actually for

For-profit US small businesses with 500 or fewer employees, including affiliates, that are more than 50% owned and controlled by US citizens, permanent residents or qualifying US entities, and that are building dual-use technology for Air Force or Space Force mission needs. Current solicitations are specific topics, so it suits teams whose technology matches a posted topic; STTR proposals also need a nonprofit US research partner such as a university. It is a government procurement pipeline you apply into during solicitation windows, not a cohort accelerator.

AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) application deadlines

  • DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation 26.BZ Release 3: Opens Jun 24, 2026, closes Jul 22, 2026.

    Verified Aug 22, 2026Source

  • DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation Release 4 (listed as 26.BX on AFWERX Get Funded page): Opens Jul 22, 2026, closes Aug 18, 2026.

    Verified Aug 26, 2026Source

  • DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation 26.BZ Release 5 (STTR 26.TZ Release 5): Opens Aug 26, 2026, closes Sep 23, 2026.

    Verified Aug 26, 2026Source

  • DAF SBIR/STTR specific topic solicitation Release 6 (SBIR 26.BZ and 26.BX, STTR 26.TZ and 26.TX): Opens Sep 23, 2026, closes Oct 21, 2026.

    Verified Oct 1, 2026Source

Frequently asked questions

When is the next AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) application deadline?
The next confirmed application window for AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) closes Oct 21, 2026.
How much does AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) invest?
AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) lists an investment of Phase I: up to $323,000 (up to six months); Phase II: up to $2.1 million; TACFI: $375,000 to $2 million; STRATFI: $3 million to $15 million in SBIR/STTR funds; Strategic Breakthrough: up to $30 million with a 1:1 match.
How much equity does AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) take?
AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
Where is AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) located and is it in person?
AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) runs a remote program.
Is AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) still active?
As of our last check on Oct 1, 2026, AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic) is active.

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Guides that explain these terms

Plain-English mechanics, with worked hypothetical numbers.

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Sources

Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.