Small Business Innovation Research
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program implements 15 U.S.C Section 638 to maximize the creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses to solve technological problems. The AFWERX Office in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) administers the Department of the Air Force (DAF) SBIR/STTR program with a vision to empower an innovation ecosystem that delivers disruptive Air & Space capabilities. AFWERX accelerates agile and affordable capability transitions by teaming innovation technology developers with Airmen and Guardian talent. In conjunction with the establishment of the United States Space Force (USSF), AFWERX stood up SpaceWERX to execute SBIR and STTR funds for the space portfolio. SpaceWERX's mission is to identify, acquire, and integrate innovation capabilities into the USSF while cultivating partnership among the nation's Space Guardians and top problem solvers. SpaceWERX will accomplish this mission through (i) connecting diverse, innovative industry, academia, and Government entities; (ii) creating capability options and prototype opportunities for the USSF; (iii) facilitating streamlined acquisition processes; and (iv) fostering a culture of innovation. This is a parallel effort to United States Air Force (USAF) SBIR/STTR PE 0605502F. The DAF SBIR/STTR program implements three different approaches to provide funding and opportunities to small businesses: 1) Open Topic Program, 2) Specific Topic Program, and 3) STRATFI (Strategic Funding Increase) and TACFI (Tactical Funding Increase) Programs. The Open Topic Program uses a technology-agnostic solicitation which encourages commercial industry to submit dual-use technology solutions without having a known end-user. It is used to capture the best capabilities and emerging technologies and allows industry to bring novel solutions to the DAF. The Specific Topic Program seeks innovative solutions for SECAF identified Operational Imperatives and defined problem sets by a DAF end user or customer. Specific Topics have clearly-defined requirements and a known DAF customer built into the topic solicitation. The STRATFI (Strategic Funding Increase) and TACFI (Tactical Funding Increase) Programs help to scale Phase II efforts to the level needed to achieve technology transitions.
FY2027 planned work FY 2027 USSF SBIR/STTR funds will continue to align with USSF, Combatant Command, and Component Command priorities and needs for operationally relevant space technologies while continuing investments in the emerging technologies that drive future capabilities. Investment allocations will be made in Open Topic, Specific Topic, and TACFI/STRATFI programs and associated administrative costs based on demand signals, timeliness of funds allocation and availability, and changes to strategic guidance or priorities as defined by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.
FY2026 plans — current year FY 2026 USSF SBIR/STTR funds will continue to align with USSF, Combatant Command, and Component Command priorities and needs for operationally relevant space technologies while continuing investments in the emerging technologies that drive future capabilities. Investment allocations will be made in Open Topic, Specific Topic, and TACFI/STRATFI programs and associated administrative costs based on demand signals, timeliness of funds allocation and availability, and changes to strategic guidance or priorities as defined by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.