DoD SBIR Phase I

DoD SBIR Phase I sits inside the U.S. Department of Defense small-business research system and is run through the service branches and defense agencies that publish topics. The program uses BAAs and, in some cases, CSOs to pull in basic and applied research tied to national security rather than unsolicited ideas. Air Force, Army, Navy, DARPA, Space Force, DHA, DLA, NGA, MDA, SDA, and USSOCOM all appear among the participating components, so the opportunity set spans a wide defense portfolio. Awards run from $50,000 to $295,000, with a median actual award of $250,000 in the structured record. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-incorporated for-profit small businesses, with at least 51 percent U.S. ownership, TRL 2 to 4 work, and a defense or dual-use topic match. The department posts three scheduled solicitation cycles each fiscal year and also uses annual BAAs, all of which require submission through DSIP; unsolicited proposals are not accepted. This is a topic-driven program. Applicants do best when they answer a live topic with a tightly scoped feasibility plan, a clear military or dual-use use case, and enough technical discipline to show the work can be finished on time. It is not a broad innovation grant; it is a competitive route for small businesses that can speak directly to a defense need and show why their concept deserves a Phase I award.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Multiple per year.