Army SBIR/STTR

Army SBIR Phase I

Funds United States Army-focused small businesses demonstrating technology feasibility for soldier and mobility needs.

Army SBIR Phase I is a feasibility-stage competitive award administered by the U.S. Army under the Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research program, executed through the Army FUZE portfolio under the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. The program aligns innovative small businesses with critical Army priorities across ground combat systems, soldier-worn and immersive technologies, position-navigation-timing, network and cyber, autonomous systems, advanced materials, energy resiliency, and medical countermeasures. Topics are released by Army Futures Command on a rolling basis and through three scheduled annual solicitation cycles, accessible via the DSIP portal at dodsbirsttr.mil. Following the SBIR reauthorization act of April 2026, the Army released over 90 SBIR/STTR topics, with open topics in FY26 including scalable manufacturing of launched effects, multifrequency PNT antenna solutions, modular UAS payloads, and blockchain-based in-transit visibility.

Phase I awards are up to $323,090 (SBA statutory cap) over three to six months, with a typical award of approximately $250,000 focused on white-paper-based feasibility demonstration. The small business must perform at least two-thirds of Phase I work. The xTechSearch and xTech competition series—active programs in FY26 covering quantum sensors, humanoid robotics, and edge-strike ground systems with prizes up to $2 million—operate as pre-SBIR innovation feeders and can position companies for direct SBIR entry or Phase II. Annual Phase I pool across Army SBIR is estimated at approximately $85 million.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-registered for-profit small businesses with 500 or fewer employees, majority-owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with all R&D performed in the United States. VC-majority ownership is permitted under SBA Section 5107. Proposals are evaluated through merit review by Army technical experts. Phase I awardees in good standing may progress to Phase II awards of up to $2 million over 12–24 months for prototype development.