Defense Innovation Funding Opportunities | Edition 105

About the Series

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)/National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Defense Innovation Funding Opportunities Series on LinkedIn provides a resource for innovators to access national security challenges and opportunities. Subscribe above and follow NSIN on LinkedIn for more opportunities like these .

Note: opportunities are arranged by submission date deadline, meaning the newest opportunities do not necessarily appear near the top of the document.

Closing This Month

Funding Available for Multiple Technologies | Nov. 6, 2024 | Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants | United States Air Force

Innovators with solutions for 27 different topic areas including autonomous tracking, advanced materials, radar, and more may submit their technologies to the Air Force for the opportunity to receive SBIR funding. These topics are in pre-release. Submissions open on Oct. 2 and close on Nov. 6.

Solutions Needed for Enterprise Workflow and Reporting Platform | Nov. 8, 2024 | Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) | Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Innovators with solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) to coordinate budget planning efforts; map incoming funding, contract modifications and real-time execution status updates; and provide a faster and more intelligent way of program management and leadership visibility may submit solutions for potential follow-on activities. Submissions close on Nov. 8.?

$155,000 Available for AI-Automations for the Immersive Technology Planning App | Nov. 12, 2024 | Prize Challenge | United States Air Force

Innovators with the ability to build an artificial intelligence (AI) automation for the Immersive Technology Planning Application (ITPA) system that could quickly and thoroughly scan the market to identify and report on the latest immersive technology capabilities may submit their solutions to the Central Florida Tech Grove and the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS) for an opportunity to win part of the $155,000 prize purse. Submissions open on Sept. 6 and close on Nov. 12.

Funding Available for Quantum Inspired Telescope Imaging for Space Situational Awareness (QUINTISSA) | Nov. 13, 2024 | Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Researchers who can develop and perform a series of proof-of-concept telescope experiments to define the utility of quantum-inspired information extraction methods for low photon number imaging in the presence of real-world non-idealities and determine performance for sub-diffraction object detection and localization (super-resolution) using astronomical objects may submit solutions for SBIR grant funding to DARPA. Submissions close on Nov. 13.

Funding Available for Advancing Technology Development for Securing a Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals and Materials | Nov. 26, 2024 | Grant | U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory

Researchers with abilities to advance Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) technology development and expand and improve process systems development, optimization, and efficiency improve CMM? process systems. Submissions close on Nov. 26.

Closing Next Month

?$200,000 Available for Grid Technology Integration | Dec. 12, 2024 | Prize Challenge | Office of Electricity | U.S. Department of Energy

Companies are encouraged to share how their behind-the-meter grid-edge technology solution supports improved integration with different energy systems and vendors in the grid. Up to two teams will win $100,000 each and will have the opportunity to showcase their technology at DISTRIBUTECH on March 25, 2025, in Dallas. Submissions close Dec. 12.?

Funding Available for Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions in STEM | Dec. 13, 2024 | Grant | US Navy

Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions? (HBCU/MI) with opportunities to enhance the research and education capabilities in science and engineering disciplines may be eligible for up to $525,000. Submissions close on Dec. 13.

Funding Available for Molecular Foundations for Biotechnology | Dec. 16, 2024 | Grant | National Science Foundation (NSF)

Researchers with abilities for creative, cross-disciplinary research and technology development proposals to accelerate understanding of RNA function in complex biological systems and to harness RNA research to advance biotechnology may submit their technologies to the National Science Foundation? for the opportunity to receive grant funding. Submissions close on Dec. 16.

Further Out

First Notice of Funding Availability to Secure the U.S. Industrial Base | Feb. 3, 2025 | Loan Availability | Office of Strategic Capital

The DoD’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) announced the release of its first Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), which lays out eligibility criteria and initiates the application process for OSC loans. This will be the first OSC application call to accelerate commercialization and scale production for critical technologies. Submissions close on Feb. 3, 2024 .?

About the Defense Innovation Unit

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology in the Department of Defense and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. DIU partners with organizations across the DoD to rapidly prototype and field dual-use capabilities that solve operational challenges at speed and scale. With offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, Chicago and Washington, D.C., DIU is the Department’s gateway to leading technology companies across the country.

About the National Security Innovation Network

NSIN is a component of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) program office. We are set up to collaborate with a wide variety of innovators to include universities, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and start-ups. We create opportunities for collaboration across communities and connect those that might not traditionally work in national security. Together, we help drive national security innovation and develop technologies that directly support the individuals responsible for protecting our country.??