Defense Innovation Funding Opportunities | Edition 107

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. Search [NEW]?to discover the most recent additions. Please find the opportunities linked to the submission date deadlines.

Closing This Month

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

Grant Available for Wide-ranging Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Technologies | Dec. 5, 2024 | Grant | Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division

Innovators with solutions for wide-ranging Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) technologies at Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 3 and higher, for accelerated development in relation to modern missile threat systems are encouraged to submit solutions that consider threat detection, fix, signature, defeat and access from the ASE protection chain. Submissions close Dec. 5.?

$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

[NEW] $150,000 Available for Technologies to Detect and Track Satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) in Contested Environments | Jan. 9, 2024 | Prize Challenge | Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) NSIN - National Security Innovation Network U.S. Space Forces-Indo-Pacific (USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC) SDA TAP Lab Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

DIU, in partnership with USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC, SDA Tap Lab, and iDEX are seeking to identify companies capable of developing algorithms to dynamically track satellites attempting to evade detection in near real-time over the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. A total of $150,000 in awards will be distributed among the top-performing company or companies selected from the pool of finalists. Submissions close Jan. 9, 2025.?

[NEW] $45,000 Prize Purse for Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System | Jan. 23, 2024 | Prize Challenge | NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA is in search of a cutting-edge design that is low in mass and easy to deploy, enabling one astronaut crewmember to safely transport their suited (343 kg (~755lb)) and fully incapacitated partner back to the human landing system. The first place winner will receive $20,000, a second place winner will receive $10,000 and up to 3 third place winners will each receive $5000. Submissions close Jan. 23, 2024.?

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, 2025 .?

Manufacturing Development for Affordable and timely production and sustainment of defense systems | March 21, 2025 | Broad Agency Announcement | Office of Naval Research

The DoD’s Office for Naval Research has released an opportunity, the ManTech program, which targets the needs of warfighters and weapon system programs by locating affordable low-risk solutions. Innovators and researchers are encouraged to submit projects that will advance systems engineering, while considering affordability, design, and manufacturing. Submissions close on March 21, 2025.?

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.?