As of Jan. 14, the application period for non-dilutive seed funding from the Department of Defense opens — the  Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
 
Application Period:
 
Jan. 14, 2020 – Feb. 12, 2020 (8 p.m.)
SBIR/STTR Application: https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/
SBIR/STTR Application Tips: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/resources/DoD-SBIR_Starting-a-New-Proposal-User-Guide.pdf
 
Air Force Research Lab + Quantum Seed Funding 
 
The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) will be awarding as much as $60 million for quantum technology through the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. STTRs are awarded to small businesses partnered with a university or nonprofit (e.g., FFRDC) for the project. Focus areas including computing, information processing, communications, networking, timing, and sensing.
 
As many as 60 Phase I awards of $156,500 (for a five-month period of performance) will be made during the first round, qualifying companies to compete for Phase II awards of up to $1.5 M (for an 18 month period of performance). Awards for Phase I will be made in June at an event in New York City. 

Ask Me Anything
 
The DOD recorded an Ask Me Anything session on quantum STTR topics on Jan. 14, which is available here: 
 
https://innovatedefense.net/nsin/customObject/viewCustomObject/f1d64441ae69
 
Applications:
 
Pitch Day for Quantum Enabling Technologies Quantum Timing (AF20A-T001) https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307590
Pitch Day for Quantum Enabling Technologies Quantum Sensing (AF20A-T002) https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307591
Pitch Day for Quantum Enabling Technologies Quantum Information Processing and Computing (AF20A-T003) https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307592
Pitch Day for Quantum Enabling Technologies Quantum Communication and Networking (AF20A-T004)  https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307593
 
SBIR Joint Open Topic
 
This topic supports customers across the Department of Defense. It is structured as a "Commercial Solutions Opening," making it easier for interested DOD customers to pursue follow-on sole source contracts with winners. Focus areas include:
 
Focus Area 1: Mobility and Training Aircraft Pitch Day
Focus Area 2: Fighter/Bomber Pitch Day
Focus Area 3: PEO Digital Pitch Day
Focus Area 4:  All-Domain Operations Integration Pitch Day
Focus Area 5: Focus Area: Joint Targeting Processes Pitch Day
Focus Area 6: Propulsion Technologies Pitch Day
Focus Area 7: SOF/ISR Pitch Day
Focus Area 8: Agile Combat Support Pitch Day
Focus Area 9: Communications Pitch Day
Focus Area 10: Rapid Sustainment Pitch Day
Focus Area 11: Advanced Power Technology
Focus Area 12:  Air Force Quantitative Assessment of Microelectronics Unintended Emissions
Focus Area 13: Turbine Engine Blade Repair Cell
Focus Area 14: Joint Focus Area with United States Army
Focus Area 15: Joint Focus Area with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Focus Area 16: Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation
Focus Area 17: Additive Manufacturing
Focus Area 18: Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation office (SDPE)
 
Ask Me Anything:
 
An Ask Me Anything session will be held  Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, 2-4 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-funding-made-simple-sbir-open-topics-webinar-qa-registration-86825875531
 
Application:
 
Joint Open SBIR: Phase 1 (50K awards)
https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307582

Open STTR: Phase 1 (50K awards)
https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307589

Direct to Phase 2: (1.5Million)

https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/topics?topicId=307583
 
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