The Summer of the Open-Topic SBIR

by Akela Consulting

The summer of 2024 is shaping up to be The Summer of Open-Topic SBIR programs. It's no longer just AFWERX, many other agencies are jumping into the mix including the Army, NSF, Microelectronics Agency, and the Navy.

This summer is bursting with SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) open-topic funding opportunities. These opportunities range from broad, open-ended solicitations where agencies say, "Show us what you've got," to more focused calls targeting specific industries or problem sets. The funding comes from various entities including the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy as well as the Microelectronics Agency and the National Science Foundation.

Before diving into these opportunities, let’s take a moment to understand the SBIR program. If you’re already well-versed in SBIR, feel free to skip this section. SBIR stands for Small Business Innovation Research, a program that funds American Small Business Concerns (SBCs), essentially U.S.-owned businesses. The major U.S. agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DoE), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation (DoT), NASA, and National Institute of Health (NIH), all allocate a portion of their R&D budget exclusively for small businesses based in the U.S.

The reason for this funding is twofold. Agencies either support your innovation because it aligns with their goals, such as environmental sustainability for the EPA or energy efficiency for the DoE, or because they are promoting innovation and business growth, like the NSF. They invest in your tech innovations, you contribute to the economy and make impactful advancements. The second reason motivating SBIR funding is so you can make an impact on the funding agency's needs. This comes from agencies like the DoD, the world's largest organization, which has a diverse needs ranging from next-gen AI to efficient energy systems. Thus, a SBIR with the DoD could lead to significant contract with the agency. The same is true for NASA and the DHS.

Now, back to the summer of open-topic SBIRs. There’s a rising trend among agencies to offer open-topic solicitations, likely inspired by the Air Force’s AFWERX program. AFWERX runs a fully open-topic SBIR program where you just need to propose a solution that addresses an Air Force need to win up to $1.2 million (and potentially up to $45 million in venture capital/government match funding). Similarly, the National Science Foundation has an almost fully open-topic program where you need to justify why your technology is disruptive and has a significant market impact. Other programs are more specific, and we'll delve into those next.

Key SBIR Programs Offering Open Topics

1. Army SBIR Program: Focused Open-Topics        

The Army offers focused open-topic solicitations within specific industries or technological challenges they aim to address.

Mobile Sustainment Tools Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000
• Main Topics: Advanced lifting solutions, field-ready engineering systems, communication and process optimization technologies
• Applications Due: September 11, 2024

Shop Tools and Enablers Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000
• Main Topics: Smart tools with IoT capabilities, AI-driven exoskeletons, customized cobots, modular production systems
• Applications Due: September 11, 2024

Reverse Engineering Equipment Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000
• Main Topics: Precision scanning and modeling technologies, integrated design and engineering platform, multi-parameter simulation environments, autonomous design optimization, cyber-secure data management
• Applications Due: September 11, 2024

Uncooled Thermal Sensor Component Enhancement and Supply Chain Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000 - $2,000,000
• Main Topics: Performance improvement, size/weight/efficiency reduction, cost reduction, supply chain solutions
• Applications Due: September 11, 2024

AI/ML Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000 - $2,000,000
• Main Topics: Synthetic data generation, data validation and verification, AI risk mitigation, large language models, RF signal detection models, retrieval augmented generation, collaborative AI technologies
• Applications Due: September 17, 2024

Hybrid Electric Powertrain, Power and Propulsion Systems (HEPPS) Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000 - $2,000,000
• Main Topics: Hybrid electric powertrain and propulsion systems, vehicle systems, fuel economy, operational flexibility, efficient aircraft operation, increased onboard power, military operational requirements
• Applications Due: September 17, 2024

Battery Open-Topics

• Funding Amount: $250,000 - $2,000,000
• Main Topics: Advanced anode technologies, future electrolytes, critical minerals, power capabilities, thermal stability, extreme temperature functionality, size and weight minimization, charging times, safety standards, production capability metrics
• Applications Due: October 15, 2024

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2. Navy SBIR Program: Focused Open-Topics        

The Navy SBIR program offers focused open-topic solicitations aimed at addressing specific technological challenges and enhancing naval capabilities.

• Phase I Funding: $75,000 - $100,000
• Phase II Funding: ~$1,000,000 - $2,000,000 (estimated)
• Main Topics: Advanced robotic automation for Fleet Readiness Center industrial processes, sustainment and obsolescence, advanced data integrity and control methods
• Applications Due: September 4, 2024

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3. Air Force Open-Topic (AFWERX)        

• Program: AFWERX
• Funding Agency: U.S. Air Force SBIR
• Phase I: $75,000
• Phase II: $1,250,000
• VC/Gov Match Funding (STRATFI/TACFI): Up to $45 million
• Applications Due: likely in the Fall. Due to release in August
• Overview: This AFWERX Open-Topic SBIR, in partnership with SpaceWERX, seeks innovative defense-related dual-purpose technologies/solutions that address a clear need for the U.S. Air Force or Space Force. The program includes a two-phase structure, with Phase I focused on feasibility studies and Phase II on prototype validation. The goal is to explore innovative technologies applicable to both defense and non-defense markets, scale capability, and grow the industrial base for defense. This initiative targets companies capable of completing feasibility studies and prototype validation under accelerated schedules, emphasizing applied research and development efforts rather than basic research. Talk to Akela

4. National Science Foundation (NSF) Open-Topics        

• Program: NSF Open-Topics SBIR
• Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
• Phase I: Up to $305,000
• Phase II: Up to $1,250,000
• Supplements: Up to $500,000
• Applications Due: September 18, 2024 (rolling submissions)
• Overview: The NSF Open-Topics SBIR program provides up to $305,000 in non-dilutive funding for research and development (R&D) to build a prototype or proof-of-concept over six to 18 months. During this period, companies receive guidance from NSF program directors who are seasoned entrepreneurs and technologists. After completing the Phase I award, companies can apply for Phase II, which offers up to $1,250,000 over 24 months. Additionally, companies can apply for supplements that may add up to more than $500,000. Talk to Akela

5. Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) Open-Topics        

• Program: DMEA Open-Topics SBIR
• Funding Agency: Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA)
• Phase I: $100,000
• Phase II: Up to $1,300,000
• Applications Due: August 27, 2024
• Overview: The DoD seeks a process control and modeling solution for the start-up and monitoring of a hot-walled Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Silicon Carbide (SiC) epitaxy process. The solution should optimize quality, maximize wafer throughput, and minimize waste and downtime using AI/ML algorithms for real-time adjustments. Phase I focuses on feasibility and design, aiming for waste reduction, cost savings, time efficiency, model accuracy, and defect reduction.

This summer is a great opportunity to get started on or improve your approach to winning SBIR funding. Consider applying to an open-topic. Talk to us at Akela, we can help.

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