DHS S&T Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP)

DHS SVIP — Topic

Supports security innovation through topic-led projects that advance practical deployment of public safety technologies.

The Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP), operated by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, offers U.S. and international startups up to $2 million in non-dilutive funding over 24 months to carry out prototype projects addressing specific homeland security technology needs. Funding is delivered through the Innovation Other Transaction Solicitation (OTS 70RSAT21R00000006), a non-FAR mechanism that allows DHS to engage companies outside the traditional federal contracting base. SVIP issues rolling topic calls throughout the year on SAM.gov, with recent topics including synthetic data generation, privacy-preserving digital credential wallets, software supply chain visibility, flood analytics, soft-target detection algorithms, and workforce safety wearables. DHS takes no equity and no intellectual property rights — the program is explicitly structured as non-dilutive and designed not to disrupt a company's commercial roadmap.

Eligibility for SVIP is restricted to for-profit companies; nonprofit organizations, universities, and individual applicants are ineligible. Both U.S. and international startups have received SVIP contracts — confirmed recipients include companies based in Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries alongside U.S.-based awardees. The application process is intentionally lightweight: a simple proposal form, followed by a pitch, with one company reporting going from pitch to contract in 30 days. DHS S&T has noted that technology can be fielded within nine months through SVIP — faster than standard government contracting timelines.

Organizations interested in SVIP should monitor SAM.gov under OTS 70RSAT21R00000006 for active topic calls, as each call sets its own technical requirements and eligibility details. The program is based in California's Silicon Valley but actively recruits from innovation communities nationwide and internationally. Contact the program at dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov to be added to the mailing list for new topic call announcements. Because each topic call is discrete, startups should ensure their technology aligns with a specific posted topic before submitting.