AFOSR Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

AFOSR STTR Phase I

Offers small business and institution teams early research support for foundational Air Force concepts.

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) STTR Phase I program funds exploratory basic research conducted jointly by a small business and a university or non-profit research institution on topics aligned with Air Force scientific priorities. AFOSR administers the only Air Force STTR program — it operates no SBIR program — and manages its solicitations through AFWERX. Topics span AFOSR's two scientific departments: Engineering and Information Science (RTA) and Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB), covering areas such as quantum science, photonics, aerospace materials, cyber hardware, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Phase I awards up to $100,000 for a period not exceeding one year, with typical awards falling in the $60,000–$100,000 range. The small business must be the prime applicant and perform at least 40 percent of the total work; the partnering non-profit research institution must perform at least 30 percent. Only for-profit U.S. small businesses are eligible to prime the award — universities and non-profit research organizations may participate solely as subcontractors. The underlying BAA that governs research topic selection, FA955025S0001, was temporarily closed in March 2026 pending revised DoW priority alignment under Executive Order 14332; a successor open BAA is expected at a date to be determined.

Successful Phase I teams advance to Phase II (up to $750,000 over 24 months), and the strongest performers may ultimately compete for STRATFI or TACFI follow-on contracts. Proposals are submitted through the DoW Submission website (dodsbirsttr.mil). To win Phase I, teams must demonstrate clear technical feasibility and a credible plan for how the research addresses a defined Air Force capability need, as AFOSR Program Officers review proposals against stated research interests and allocate funds accordingly.