Our Mission
To harness small business innovation to solve critical Army challenges by developing and transitioning emerging disruptive technologies into operational capabilities.
Who We Are
The Army SBIR|STTR Program facilitates direct engagement with small businesses to accelerate the development of dual-use technologies with high potential for Army transition. Through non-dilutive funding opportunities, technical support, and direct collaboration with Army stakeholders the program enables rapid access to emerging technologies and connects innovative ideas with real-world defense challenges.
Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning
Contested Logistics and Sustainment
Energy Resiliency
Immersive and Wearables
Sensors
SBIR|STTR by the Numbers
The Army SBIR|STTR Program delivers measurable outcomes across the defense innovation landscape.
How the Program Works
There’s no single starting line for innovation, and the SBIR|STTR program is designed with that in mind. Through a phased funding model, multiple entry points, and strategic support, the program offers tailored pathways for companies to engage based on their technology’s maturity and readiness level. This flexible structure reduces barriers for non-traditional vendors and accelerates the path from idea to impact.
Phase I – Feasibility Study (Up to $250K | Up to 6 months)
Supports early-stage exploration and feasibility research to assess the scientific, technical, and commercial potential of a proposed solution. These short-term contracts help de-risk ideas before advancing to prototype development.
Phase II – For Mature Concepts (Up to $2M | Up to 24 months)
Builds on Phase I results or prior feasibility evidence to accelerate the development of more mature technologies. Phase II awards support prototyping, testing, and validation aligned with Army needs.
Phase III – Commercialization & Transition (Non-SBIR Funding)
Represents successful transition into Army Programs of Record, operational units, or the commercial market. While not funded through SBIR|STTR, companies may receive awards from Army or other government customers for work that derives from, extends, or completes an effort made under prior SBIR Phase I or Phase II efforts having satisfied competition requirements.
What We Do: Empowering Small Businesses to Deliver Operational Impact
Non-Dilutive Funding
to Advance Innovation
We provide competitive Phase I and Phase II contracts – up to $2 million total – to support research, development, and prototyping. Our funding model allows small businesses to retain ownership and control, while accelerating progress toward mission-ready outcomes.
Mission-Aligned Topics
Released Monthly
Each month, we release new SBIR|STTR topics tailored to real-world Army operational needs. These topics are developed in coordination with Army labs, acquisition offices and modernization teams, ensuring every investment is targeted, relevant, and aligned and emerging priorities.
Expert Collaboration and
Technical Engagement
Awardees gain access to Army scientists, engineers, and program sponsors who offer feedback, technical guidance, and integration insight. Through pitch events, collaboration forums, and virtual exchanges, innovators receive expert input that strengthens both product development and transition viability.
Transition-Focused
Support and Pathways
The program doesn’t stop at prototyping. We actively support transition through Phase II enhancement options, coordination with Army Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and entry points into other Army FUZE programs. Our goal is to help solutions move from concept to combat.
Commercialization and
Business Assistance
Through the Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) program, we equip small businesses with the tools to build commercialization plans, assess market potential, develop intellectual property strategies, and prepare for private-sector or follow-on government funding.
Expanding Access through
SBIR CATALYST
SBIR CATALYST accelerates high-potential prototypes toward fielding through enhanced funding (up to $15M), shared risk models, and structured partnerships between small businesses, Army transition sponsors (PEOs), and integrators.
Spotlight: SBIR CATALYST
The Army SBIR CATALYST Program is a high-impact initiative that fuels powerhouse partnerships between the Army, technology integrators, and small businesses to rapidly transition cutting-edge technologies. By offering significantly larger contracts, up to $15 million or more, than traditional SBIR|STTR awards, these investments enable small businesses and their partners to address critical Army modernization priorities.
Built for Breakthroughs
SBIR CATALYST helps dynamic small businesses transition faster, bringing together Army partners, private integrators, and small businesses to co-invest in ready-to-field technologies.
A Smarter Way to Fund Innovation
SBIR CATALYST uses a unique funding model to promote shared risk among small businesses, Army transition partners, and technology integrators. Approved projects receive $1M in initial Army SBIR funding and may access up to $7M in additional SBIR funds – matched by contributions from an Army customer and integrator – for a total potential investment of $15M.
Designed for the Mission
Most innovations do not fail in the lab – they fail in transition. Prototypes stall without the funding, sponsorship or operational validation needed to cross into acquisition. By focusing resources where transition risk is highest, CATALYST ensures that promising capabilities move faster from prototype to Program of Record and into Soldiers’ hands.
Powering Transformation through Army FUZE Collaboration
Through competitive solicitations, Army SBIR|STTR empowers small businesses and researchers with early-stage funding and access to Army expertise. As a part of the Army FUZE ecosystem, the program accelerates new technologies into capabilities, ensuring promising ideas transition into mission-ready solutions.
Identifies high-potential, non-traditional innovators to Army problem sets, many of whom advance into SBIR|STTR for structured funding and formal R&D support.
Provides a downstream opportunity for SBIR Phase II awardees to further mature, integrate, and test their technologies in operational environments.
Supports the scale-up and cost-effective production readiness of SBIR-developed technologies that demonstrate Army relevance and transition potential.
Learn More about SBIR|STTR
We welcome small businesses, academic partners, and innovators looking to bring impactful solutions to the U.S. Army. Whether you are applying for the first time, or seeking transition support, our team is here to connect, guide, and inform.
