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Accelerator Atlas
ActiveVerifiedChecked against the program's own website or official documents.

AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic

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

Verified Aug 26, 2026Official websiteHow to apply

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

The facts

All fields verified Aug 26, 2026
Terms model
Non-dilutiveGives money that does not take equity: grants, prizes, or credits. Your ownership is untouched.
Investment
Phase I: up to $75,000 (SBIR) / $110,000 (STTR); Phase II: up to $2,000,000; Direct-to-Phase-II: up to $1,250,000
Equity taken
Not publishedNot an equity accelerator: a non-dilutive SBIR/STTR contract funding pipeline ('front door to the Department of the Air Force'). Phase I is a 3-month feasibility contract; Phase II requires a signed Customer Memorandum from an Air Force end user. Equity_pct null because government contracts take no equity. City/state null: AFWERX operates hubs in multiple locations and proposals are submitted online via 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: a non-dilutive SBIR/STTR contract funding pipeline ('front door to the Department of the Air Force'). Phase I is a 3-month feasibility contract; Phase II requires a signed Customer Memorandum from an Air Force end user. Equity_pct null because government contracts take no equity. City/state null: AFWERX operates hubs in multiple locations and proposals are submitted online via DSIP.

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Terms in plain English

AFWERX Open Topic is a funding pipeline, not an accelerator: the Department of the Air Force awards small businesses non-dilutive SBIR and STTR contracts, meaning the government pays you for R&D and takes no equity. Phase I is a short feasibility contract worth up to $75,000 (SBIR) or $110,000 (STTR) over about 3 months. Phase II funds prototype work up to $2,000,000 over as long as 21 months, and a Direct-to-Phase-II option is capped at $1,250,000; advancing requires a signed Customer Memorandum from an Air Force end user who wants your technology. Proposals are submitted only during set solicitation windows, each open for a few weeks, through the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) at dodsbirsttr.mil.

Who this is actually for

US-based small businesses that meet federal SBIR/STTR eligibility rules, generally majority US-owned companies with 500 or fewer employees, building dual-use technology relevant to the Air Force. This is a government procurement pipeline you apply into during solicitation windows, not a cohort accelerator, and it best suits founders willing to go find an Air Force customer who will champion their product.

AFWERX SBIR/STTR 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

Frequently asked questions

When is the next AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic application deadline?
The next confirmed application window for AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic closes Sep 23, 2026.
How much does AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic invest?
AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic lists an investment of Phase I: up to $75,000 (SBIR) / $110,000 (STTR); Phase II: up to $2,000,000; Direct-to-Phase-II: up to $1,250,000.
How much equity does AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic take?
AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
Where is AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic located and is it in person?
AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic runs a remote program.
Is AFWERX SBIR/STTR Open Topic still active?
As of our last check on Aug 26, 2026, AFWERX SBIR/STTR 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 Aug 26, 2026.