SBIR Grants from U.S. Army (Army)
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
Agency overview
Army SBIR is one of the most active military service SBIR programs, with topics spanning soldier systems, ground vehicles, aviation, logistics, training simulation, and network communications. The Army funds through SBIR and the parallel STTR program, with topics issued by DEVCOM (Development Command), PEO Soldier, PEO Aviation, and other program offices. Army SBIR runs as part of the DoD-wide solicitation cycle.
Award details
Phase 1 — Feasibility
Typical Award Amount
$250,000
Duration
9 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. Army 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 aligned with DoD SBIR schedule
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 Army’s official portalHow to apply for Army 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 Army solicitations
Visit https://www.army.mil/armysbir 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
Army 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 Army SBIR
Army Futures Command's Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) is the primary Army organization that sponsors SBIR topics and manages technical points of contact. DEVCOM labs include ARL (Army Research Laboratory), C5ISR Center, Soldier Center, and CCDC Chemical/Biological.
Yes. Counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) is one of the fastest-growing topic areas in Army SBIR, reflecting the proliferation of commercial and adversary drone threats in contested environments. Detection, tracking, and defeat systems all appear regularly.
Army SBIR terms allow companies to retain IP and commercialize technology beyond government use. Many Army SBIR technologies in sensors, communications, and software have transitioned successfully into commercial defense, first responder, and industrial markets.
Army Phase 1 awards typically follow DoD timelines: proposal evaluation takes 90–120 days after the solicitation closes. Contract execution begins 2–3 months after selection notification. Total time from submission to first payment is typically 4–6 months.
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.