1. Up to $1.8 Million with AFWERX
The AFWERX Direct to Phase II (D2P2) program is an innovative funding initiative designed to accelerate the development of high-impact solutions for the U.S. Air Force.
D2P2 provides an opportunity for small businesses and non-traditional contractors to receive funding for technology prototypes and solutions that align with Air Force needs, bypassing the Phase I feasibility study. The program encourages companies with proven concepts to scale quickly, with a focus on dual-use technologies that have both commercial and defense applications.
Through this fast-tracked process, D2P2 enables quicker deployment of cutting-edge technologies, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the defense ecosystem.
The next submission deadline is March 6, 2025 where the D2P2 award offers up to $1.8 million in funding over a 27-month period, allowing companies to develop, test, and refine solutions that address critical U.S. Air Force needs.
Read more here.
2. $4 Million with NIST’s SBIR Program
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers small businesses a unique opportunity to access funding through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Designed to support cutting-edge research and development, the NIST SBIR program aims to foster U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in key areas such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and IoT.
The SBIR program provides two phases of funding:
- Phase I: Small businesses can receive up to $150,000 for a 6-12 month project to explore the feasibility and technical merit of their idea.
- Phase II: Successful Phase I projects may be eligible for up to $400,000 in funding over a 24-month period for continued R&D and prototype development.
- The Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) NIST SBIR solicitation is anticipated to open in January 2025, with proposal submission deadlines likely occurring around March or April 2025.
Eligible companies must be U.S.-based, independently owned, and operated for-profit entities. If your business is ready to innovate and bring new technologies to market, the NIST SBIR program could be the perfect opportunity to accelerate your growth.
Learn more about how to apply and take your innovation to the next level.
Read more here →
Featured Winner
Artimatic Secures awarded
$275K from NSF Phase I:
AI-Driven 3D Animation Technology
Artimatic has been awarded an NSF Phase I grant to revolutionize 3D content creation using artificial intelligence (AI). Their innovative project aims to enable experienced animators to quickly produce high-quality 3D content, while also empowering novices to create engaging animations without extensive training or expensive software.
By leveraging deep neural networks (DNN), Artimatic’s technology tackles complex animation challenges, such as weight painting, reducing the time needed for this crucial task from days to hours. This breakthrough has the potential to transform industries such as education, entertainment, and healthcare by making 3D animation more accessible.
Read more here →