SOCOM SBIR (via SOFWERX)

SOCOM SBIR Release 2

Supports a second special operations technical stream with parallel topics for urgent missions.

SOCOM SBIR 26.BZ Release 2 is the second of two SBIR funding releases USSOCOM issues through SOFWERX and DEFENSEWERX under the FY2026 BZ solicitation. Like Release 1, it follows the standard Small Business Innovation Research phased structure: Phase I feasibility, Phase II full R&D, Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2), and Phase III commercialization. Topics and specific areas of interest are published on the SOFWERX event landing page at events.sofwerx.org/sbir-26-bz-release-2 closer to the submission deadline of June 24, 2026. The program vehicle is a procurement contract, not a grant.

Eligibility is restricted to US-registered small businesses meeting standard SBA SBIR criteria — for-profit status is required, and nonprofit organizations, universities, and individual applicants are not eligible. Phase II awards require demonstrated prior commercialization track; Phase I is the standard entry point for first-time applicants to a given topic. Specific budget caps per phase are not published in advance of topic release; Phase I typically tracks SBA guidance of roughly $300,000.

Applicants should register with the SOFWERX ecosystem and monitor the event page for topic announcements, since topic areas are not pre-disclosed. Defense technology companies with capabilities spanning AI, autonomy, robotics, hardware, and supporting infrastructure sectors are the intended applicant pool. Direct inquiries to sbir@socom.mil. The Release 2 structure mirrors Release 1, so teams that missed the first window can apply under the same phased commercialization pathway against a separate topic set.