DoD SBIR Deadlines and Solicitation Calendar: 2026 Guide

Defense Grant Writers · January 20, 2026 · Updated as new solicitations are released

The SBIR/STTR programs were reauthorized in early March 2026 after a five-month lapse that began on October 1, 2025. Agencies are now resuming solicitation activity. This page tracks DoD-specific deadlines as they are announced.

DoD is expected to move first among all federal agencies, as the Department had pre-solicitation topic lists prepared in late 2025 that were shelved during the authorization gap. Those topics are being refreshed and should be published in the coming weeks.

Current Open Solicitations

For the most current list of open DoD solicitations, use our Defense Grant Finder tool, which pulls live data from DSIP, SAM.gov, and agency portals.

AFWERX (Air Force / Space Force)

AFWERX operates on a rolling basis with multiple open windows per year. The Open Topic track accepts proposals on a continuous basis, while Specific Topic solicitations are released in defined cycles.

Open Topic: Accepts proposals year-round through the DSIP portal. Phase I awards up to $75,000. Direct to Phase II (D2P2) awards up to $1.5M.

Specific Topic: Released in periodic cycles tied to Air Force and Space Force priority areas. Phase I awards typically $50,000-$250,000 depending on the topic.

STRATFI/TACFI: Follow-on funding mechanisms for Phase II awardees. STRATFI can provide up to $15M in combined government and private matching funds.

Army SBIR/STTR

The Army publishes topics through the DoD SBIR/STTR portal (DSIP). Solicitation windows typically open the first Wednesday of the month and close the last Wednesday of the following month.

FY2026 Phase I, Release 2: Full applications due February 25, 2026.

Direct to Phase II (D2P2): The Army D2P2 program allows companies with existing feasibility data to apply directly for Phase II funding without a prior Phase I award. Technical volumes require demonstration of prior feasibility work equivalent to a completed Phase I.

Navy SBIR/STTR

Navy topics are released through the DoD SBIR/STTR portal with deadlines that align with the broader DoD solicitation calendar. The Navy tends to release topics in coordinated batches tied to fleet modernization priorities.

DARPA

DARPA operates differently from the service branches. Rather than centralized SBIR/STTR solicitation cycles, DARPA publishes Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) on an ongoing basis through individual technology offices (DSO, I2O, MTO, STO, BTO, etc.).

DARPA BAAs typically follow a two-step process: white paper submission followed by an invited full proposal. White papers are usually 6-8 pages. Full proposals can range from 20-40+ pages depending on the program.

DARPA also has a standing SBIR/STTR solicitation with rolling topics.

Other DoD Agencies

SOCOM: Special Operations Command releases SBIR topics periodically, often focused on operator-specific capability gaps.

MDA: Missile Defense Agency topics focus on missile defense systems, sensors, and interceptor technologies.

DHS: While technically not DoD, DHS SBIR topics often overlap with defense priorities in areas like border security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection.

What to Expect Post-Reauthorization

The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971) reauthorizes the SBIR/STTR programs through September 30, 2031. Key changes relevant to DoD applicants include:

• Strategic Breakthrough Awards: A new mechanism allowing agencies to award up to $30M to companies with at least one prior Phase II award and 100% matching funds. DoD-specific requirements include a commitment from a program acquisition executive.
• Proposal submission caps: Starting in FY2027, agencies must set limits on how many proposals a single company can submit per fiscal year.
• Enhanced security screening: Expanded due diligence across eight federal watchlists, with particular scrutiny on foreign affiliations, ownership, and technology licensing agreements.

For a full breakdown of the reauthorization bill, see our partner site's coverage: SBIR/STTR Reauthorization 2026: What the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act Means for Your Next Proposal.

Start Preparing Now

Agencies are staging their solicitation pipelines and will move quickly once the reauthorization is signed into law. If you have a defense technology that is ready for federal funding, now is the time to prepare your proposal materials so you can respond as soon as solicitations open.

For NSF, NIH, and civilian agency SBIR/STTR proposals, visit sbirgrantwriters.com.