Defense Innovation Unit Commercial Solutions Opening
DIU may fund prototype projects for innovative commercial technologies that improve DoD mission effectiveness and asymmetric defense capabilities.
⚑ Commercial Solutions Opening for prototype projects; competitive solution brief/demonstration then proposal · Open for five years overall, but AOI-specific submission windows may be short · Federal contract/agreement mechanism rather than standard grant · Eligibility described as nontraditional and traditional defense contractors; universities generally not the lead applicant unless allowed as contractors/teammates
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research; university can only partner, not lead |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is interested in awarding funding agreements (Agreements) to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DoD), or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the Armed Forces of the United States. As such, DIU hereby announces the release of their streamlined Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). This CSO is seeking proposals for innovative, commercial technologies that accelerate attainment of asymmetric defense capabilities. In this context, innovative means any new technology, process, or business practice, or any new application of an existing technology, process, or business practice that contributes to the sustainment of global peace and U.S. national security. Agreements will be sought under an open (available for five (5) years), competitive (solution brief/demonstration followed by proposal) CSO. This CSO is considered a competitive process, intended to ensure that competitive procedures are used to the maximum extent practicable when entering into Agreements to carry out these prototype projects. Interested parties with current or new/developmental innovative technological solutions or enhancements are highly encouraged to visit the DIU website to obtain more information regarding the process of presenting their solutions to DIU and the potential for securing said Agreements under this CSO. Topic Areas of Interest (AoI) will be posted on the DIU website and may be updated at any time. Please note that the submission period for solution briefs under the identified AOI's will be open for a limited period of time, so check the DIU website for updates frequently. DIU's website is: https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Special Notice. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / IMMEDIATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE / DEFENSE INNOVATION UNIT.
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.