SBIR Grants from U.S. Air Force / Space Force (AFWERX)
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
Agency overview
Air Force and Space Force SBIR is managed largely through AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force. AFWERX has transformed AF SBIR into one of the most startup-friendly programs in the federal government, with streamlined Phase 1 'Direct to Phase 2' (D2P2) mechanisms, Open Topics, and the STRATFI (Strategic Financing) program that can deliver up to $50M in combined government and private investment to promising companies. Space Force is an active SBIR sponsor through Space Systems Command.
Award details
Phase 1 — Feasibility
Typical Award Amount
$250,000
Duration
6 months
Phase 1 establishes the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed R&D. The deliverable is a feasibility report and prototype demonstration where applicable.
Phase 2 — Full R&D
Typical Award Amount
$1,750,000
Duration
24 months
Phase 2 funds the primary R&D effort to develop the technology to a commercializable or deployable state. Only Phase 1 awardees (or those who meet equivalent requirements) may apply.
Research topic areas
U.S. Air Force / Space Force SBIR solicitations consistently address the following research areas. Specific topics vary by solicitation — check the current open solicitation for exact topic descriptions and technical points of contact.
Solicitation cycle
3+ per year — AFWERX runs continuous Open Topics alongside DoD cycle
Solicitation windows open and close on a defined schedule. Applications submitted after the close date are not accepted. Set a calendar reminder at least 6 weeks before the close date — a well-written SBIR application typically takes 60–90 hours of preparation for a first-time applicant.
View current solicitations on AFWERX’s official portalHow to apply for AFWERX SBIR funding
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Your company must be a for-profit U.S. small business with fewer than 500 employees. The principal investigator must spend at least 51% of their time on the project. More than 50% of the company must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- 2
Register in SAM.gov
All SBIR applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration. Registration can take 1–3 weeks. Apply early — the government cannot issue payment on an SBIR award without an active SAM.gov registration.
- 3
Review open AFWERX solicitations
Visit https://afwerx.com/sbir/ to see currently open solicitations. Read topic descriptions carefully — each topic has a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) you can contact with technical questions before submitting.
- 4
Contact the TPOC
Each topic lists a Technical Point of Contact. Email them with a 2-3 sentence summary of your approach before writing your full proposal. TPOCs can tell you whether your company's approach aligns with what the agency is looking for — this step alone doubles your success rate.
- 5
Submit through SBIR.gov or the agency portal
AFWERX SBIR applications are submitted through the agency's designated portal. Most DoD applications go through SBIR.gov. NIH uses ASSIST (grants.nih.gov). NSF uses Research.gov. Check the solicitation for the correct submission system.
Frequently asked questions about AFWERX SBIR
Strategic Financing (STRATFI) is an AFWERX mechanism that provides Phase 2 companies up to $50M in combined DoD and private co-investment. It is one of the largest SBIR follow-on vehicles in the federal government and has funded dozens of defense tech unicorns.
AFWERX Open Topics allow companies to propose any commercially viable technology that could benefit the Air Force or Space Force — no specific topic description required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, making AFWERX one of the most accessible DoD SBIR programs for startups.
D2P2 allows companies that have already completed Phase 1-equivalent work (through non-SBIR funding, commercial validation, or another agency's Phase 1) to skip Phase 1 and apply directly for Phase 2 funding. This is particularly useful for venture-backed defense tech companies.
Space Force sponsors SBIR topics through Space Systems Command (SSC) and appears as a distinct subtopic sponsor within AFWERX solicitations. Space Force priorities include launch vehicle components, satellite communications, space domain awareness, and orbital debris mitigation.
This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team’s summary of publicly available SBIR program information. Award amounts and solicitation cycles are subject to change. Always verify current program details at SBIR.gov and the agency’s official SBIR portal. BidStride does not provide grant writing services or legal advice.