DHS Science and Technology Directorate

Supports DHS Science and Technology Directorate, advising and funding homeland security solutions for resilience and risk reduction.

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate is the Department of Homeland Security's research and development arm and science adviser, focused on mission problems in border security, cybersecurity, chemical and biological defense, first responder capability, and critical infrastructure resilience. It works with small businesses, startups, universities, national laboratories, and international partners, and its public funding menu includes SBIR, LRBAA, SVIP, targeted BAAs, prize competitions, and BIRD Homeland Security.

The main award routes in this record are DHS SBIR Phase I at up to $175,000 for five months, DHS SBIR Phase II at up to $1.5 million for 24 to 36 months, SVIP at up to $2 million through an OTA-based model, and the LRBAA, which is a standing open invitation without a preset funding amount. The record also shows annual SBIR solicitations, with Phase I generally deciding in about 45 days after selection, and Phase II reserved for Phase I awardees.

DHS S&T fits applicants that can answer a specific homeland security need with a practical prototype or research concept. Strong proposals are tightly matched to the topic, show a clear path from research to use, and explain why the idea is better than currently available alternatives. The LRBAA is broad but still peer reviewed, while SVIP is designed for startups and the SBIR program is reserved for U.S. small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.