AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
This AFWERX Challenge CSO funds proposed commercial solutions for Air Force challenge calls, typically for defense-related technologies and capabilities, with individual call details controlling the specific topic and evaluation criteria.
RESTRICTED TO: SMALL BUSINESS SBIR STTR
⚑ Federal contract / CSO with call-specific requirements; individual calls may have additional restrictions. · This notice points to Air Force challenge calls rather than a standard university grant. · Eligibility is not fully specified in the summary; triage should verify the specific call under the CSO. · Potentially limited to commercial solutions and procurement-style submissions.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 90 strong | SBIR/STTR — core Hub pipeline (faculty founders + small-business partners); funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: national_security_defense, emergency_disaster_resilience (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research; university can only partner, not lead |
Description
This CSO is for the AFWERX Challenge Program. Individual Calls against the CSO will be posted under this notice, as well as afwerxchallenge.com. 05/25/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-002 Expedient Basing Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "05.25.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf" https://afwerxchallenge.com/expedientbasing/expedient-basing-challenge/overview 02/27/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-001 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Aviation Support Equipment Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "02.27.2023 ACE Common Aviation Support Equipment Challenge.pdf" https://afwerxchallenge.com/operationaleffectiveness/ace-common-aviation-support-challenge
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE / FA2280 AFRL/RGKA.
Apply
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.