The purpose of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is to strengthen the role of innovative Small Business Concerns (SBCs) in federally-funded research or research and development (R/R&D). The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program stimulates a partnership of ideas and technologies between innovative SBCs and non-profit Research Institutions. By providing awards to SBCs for cooperative R/R&D efforts with Research Institutions, the SBIR and STTR programs assist the U.S. small business and research communities by supporting the commercialization of innovative technologies. The SBIR/STTR programs employ a phased process:

Phase I: Phase I involves a solicitation of contract proposals or grant applications to conduct feasibility-related experimental or theoretical R/R&D related to described agency requirements. These requirements, as defined by agency topics contained in a solicitation, may be general or narrow in scope, depending on the needs of the agency. The object of this phase is to determine the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of the proposed effort and the quality of performance of the SBC with a relatively small agency investment before consideration of further Federal support in Phase II.

Phase II: The object of Phase II is to continue the R/R&D effort from the completed Phase I.

Direct to Phase II: Department of War may issue a Phase II SBIR award to an SBC that did not receive a Phase I SBIR or STTR award for that R/R&D. Direct to Phase II involves a solicitation of contract proposals and the SBC’s proposal must demonstrate the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of the ideas that appear to have commercial potential.

Phase III: The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is for the small business to pursue commercialization objectives resulting from the Phase I/II R/R&D activities. The SBIR/STTR programs do not fund Phase III.

SBIR Process Timeline
13 April 2026: USSOCOM begins accepting proposals via DSIP 
13 May 2026: Deadline for receipt of proposals no later than 12:00 p.m. ET

Special Areas of Interest
Phase I Open Topics:
SOCOM254-007: Acoustic-based UAS Rainbow Oscillation Refraction Architecture (AURORA)

How You Can Participate
Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees

1. Review Topic Instructions: Click Here to Review
2. Review the Transcripts from the 16 September Q&A Telecons:
   1. Click Here to Review  AURORA Session
3. Submit your proposal: Click Here to Submit  (NLT 13 May 2026 at 12:00 PM ET)