Defense & Space accelerator application deadlines

Application windows for defense and space programs, including SBIR and STTR solicitation cycles and equity accelerators, dated where published.

Vertical

Terms

19 dated windows, 1 open with no close date, 2 rolling

Confirmed Expected (typically) Rolling

October 2026

Army xTech Prize CompetitionsDefense & Space
Closes Oct 13, 2026xTech Disrupt Endurance (on-site registration at AUSA, Washington, DC)Source
Army xTech Prize CompetitionsDefense & Space
Closes Oct 19, 2026xTechSearch 10 (submissions due 5 p.m. ET)Source
AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic)Defense & Space
Closes Oct 21, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR specific topic solicitation Release 6 (SBIR 26.BZ and 26.BX, STTR 26.TZ and 26.TX)Source
SpaceWERX (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI/TACFI, Accelerate)Defense & Space
Closes Oct 21, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR specific topic solicitation Release 6 (SBIR 26.BX, STTR 26.TX)Source
SOFWERXDefense & Space
Closes Oct 21, 2026USSOCOM SBIR 26.BZ Release 6 (closes at noon ET)Source

Open now, no close date published

These programs are taking applications now and have not published a close date.

IAI CATALYST (powered by Starburst)Defense & Space
Open now, close date not publishedCohort 6 (applications accepted on a rolling basis; no close date printed)Source

Recent past windows

Windows that have closed in the last 12 months, most recent first.

AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic)Defense & Space
Closed Sep 23, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation 26.BZ Release 5 (STTR 26.TZ Release 5)Source
SpaceWERX (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI/TACFI, Accelerate)Defense & Space
Closed Sep 23, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation 26.BZ Release 5 (STTR 26.TZ Release 5)Source
Catalyst Accelerator (Catalyst Space Accelerator)Defense & Space
Closed Sep 16, 2026Fall 2026 Investment Readiness Boot Camp (CAIRB)Source
FedTech (Startup Studios & Accelerators)Defense & Space
Closed Aug 31, 2026Crucible Accelerator Fall 2026 (virtual, October through December 2026)Source
SOFWERXDefense & Space
Closed Aug 19, 2026SBIR 26.BZ Release 4 (as listed on sofwerx.org)Source
AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic)Defense & Space
Closed Aug 18, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation Release 4 (listed as 26.BX on AFWERX Get Funded page)Source
SpaceWERX (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI/TACFI, Accelerate)Defense & Space
Closed Aug 18, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation Release 4 (listed as 26.BX on Get Funded pages)Source
Army xTech Prize CompetitionsDefense & Space
Closed Jul 24, 2026xTech Apex Intercept Phase 1 white paper submissionsSource
SpaceWERX (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI/TACFI, Accelerate)Defense & Space
Closed Jul 22, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation 26.BZ Release 3Source
AFWERX SBIR/STTR (formerly Open Topic)Defense & Space
Closed Jul 22, 2026DAF SBIR/STTR solicitation 26.BZ Release 3Source
Catalyst Accelerator (Catalyst Space Accelerator)Defense & Space
No longer openBMC3I TAP Lab Phase 1 (six-week Focus Area Cohort Team experience)Source
FedTech (Startup Studios & Accelerators)Defense & Space
Closed Jun 26, 2026DOE Boost 2026 startup studio (18 weeks, with Sandia National Laboratories)Source
Techstars Space AcceleratorDefense & Space
Closed Jun 10, 20262026 cohort (Sep 8 to Dec 10, 2026)Source
IAI CATALYST (powered by Starburst)Defense & Space
Closed Jun 7, 2026Cohort 5 (program September 23, 2026 to March 9, 2027)Source

Rolling programs

These review applications on an ongoing basis, with no fixed window.

SpaceWERX (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI/TACFI, Accelerate)
Defense & Space
Capital Factory (Defense)
Defense & Space