Through a competitive awards-based program, the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) program enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization.
AFWERX, in partnership with Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), developed the SBIR Open Topics to increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and transition rate of the SBIR program.
For these topics, companies with existing commercial products or services that may also be useful to the Air Force are invited to apply. Several barriers to working with the Air Force have been removed or mitigated for this program, to include a shorter application process, an accelerated contract award, and a shorter period of performance.
Since the introduction of the Open Topic in late 2018 through August 2019, we have received more than 2900 submissions, awarded more than 900 contracts worth a combined total of approximately $220 million.
Along with the onset of a new year, the first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) application period for 2020 is opening up from Jan. 14 to Feb. 12.
Click to sign up and join the webinar learn about how SBIR Open Topics may be a good funding opportunity for your startup to be held on Jan. 10
During the call, the Open Topic team will communicate expectations, discuss changes, and answer questions regarding the application process.
More information on the SBIR/STTR programs can be found here on the AFWERX website