The Department of Defense has funding for your innovation outside of SBIR, and we want to help you tap into it! The following units provide support for most Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) through various solicitations, partnerships, and pitches.
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
DIU is focused on accelerating the adoption of commercial and dual-use technology to solve operational challenges at speed and scale. They award scalable contracts to companies offering solutions to national security challenges across various technology areas.
- How to access DIU? Submit to open solicitations. If DIU is interested, you will receive an invitation to submit your proposal to the challenge
National Security Innovation Council (NSIC)
NSIC, a component of DIU, accelerates the development of dual-use hardware technologies critical to national security and economic competitiveness. They award Other Transaction (OT) agreements to accelerate innovator commercialization efforts.
- How to access NSIC? If you have a TRL of 3-6, you can submit a pitch at any time!
National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Propel
NSIN supports the DoD’s effort to maintain its competitive edge by collaborating with innovative commercial startup accelerators to provide solutions via maturing dual-use companies. Propel de-risks the search for emerging technology by working to discover and shape emerging technologies in response to the real-world needs of the DoD.
- How to access NSIN Propel? Applying to a 3-4-month accelerator that pairs dual-use innovators to help develop solutions. This includes access to mentorship and education to help you prepare to transition solutions for the DoD.
- This can lead to opportunities like SBIR Phase I, Direct to Phase II, OTAs, BAAs, and more.
CTC can help you access any of these funding sources. Reach out to get started!
If DoD SBIR is something you want to explore, join us August 7th in Madison, WI.
