Department of War (DoW) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Solicitations (Amd 01)
DoW SBIR/STTR topics fund small-business-led R&D and commercialization projects that address Department of War technology needs, with STTR allowing university partnering but not university leadership.
RESTRICTED TO: SMALL BUSINESS SBIR STTR
⚑ Small-business set-aside; universities cannot apply directly. · STTR permits university participation as a partner; SBIR is small-business led. · Topics are released monthly; each topic has its own open/close dates. · Technical and Business Assistance and Direct-to-Phase II provisions are included for applicable solicitations.
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 topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research; university can only partner, not lead |
Description
The purpose of Amendment 01 to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of WAR's SBIR/STTR Program, Annual Program BAAs and CSOs is to provide important programmatic updates stemming from the reauthorization to include the following: - Section 1.9 Discretionary Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) - Section 2.2 SBA Company Registry - Section 6.1 Submission Details - Add Section 1.7 Direct to Phase II Program to the STTR solicitations The Department of War (DoW) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program’s objectives include stimulating technological innovation by strengthening the role of small businesses in meeting DoW research and development (R&D) needs, delivering innovative technology to the Warfighter, and growing the defense industrial base through commercialization. DoW Services and Components may elect to release topics under this solicitation once a month throughout fiscal year 2026. New research topics will pre-release on the first Wednesday of each month, based on the schedule provided at: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/. Each release will have corresponding open and close dates applicable only to those topics within the release. Proposers are encouraged to thoroughly review the full solicitation and register for the DSIP Listserv to remain apprised of important programmatic and contractual changes. The full program solicitations are available on DSIP at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations. Be sure to select the tab for the appropriate solicitation cycle. Register for the DSIP Listserv at: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/ . ---- Original Post Below: The Department of War (DoW) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs aim to stimulate technological innovation by strengthening the role of small businesses in meeting DoW research and development needs, delivering innovative technology to the Warfighter, and growing the defense industrial base through commercialization. This announcement serves as an umbrella for each of the annual DoW SBIR/STTR program solicitations. Proposers are encouraged to carefully review the details for each to determine the best fit for their organization and technology. The solicitations are: DoW SBIR 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) DOW SBIR 2026 Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) DoW STTR 2026 BAA DoW STTR 2026 CSO DoW Services and Components may elect to release topics under the appropriate solicitation once a month throughout fiscal year 2026. While new research topics are scheduled to pre-release on the first Wednesday of each month, please note that due to a delay in the SBIR/STTR program reauthorization, the Department of War is deviating from this schedule for the initial April post. This is a one-time adjustment, and the standard monthly pre-release schedule is expected to resume in May. Each release will have corresponding open and close dates applicable only to those topics within the release. For the official schedule, please visit: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/. The full solicitations and all associated documents will be posted exclusively on the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). Proposers are directed to the DSIP website to review the solicitations in their entirety. While on the DSIP, it is also highly recommended that proposers register for the official Listserv to receive important programmatic and contractual updates. The full program solicitations are available on the DSIP at: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations. Be sure to select the tab for the appropriate solicitation. Register for the DSIP Listserv at: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5). Notice type: Special Notice. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / / DEPT OF DEFENSE.
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.