By Daniel Smoot, Army Innovation Programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program released new Phase I funding opportunities to advance sensor and energy resiliency technologies critical to defense modernization. U.S.-based small businesses can propose innovative solutions that support threat simulation, training, and power system upgrades aligned with Army operational priorities. Selected proposals will help accelerate the development of mission-ready systems through advanced metamaterials and lithium-ion battery enhancements.

Featured Army Challenges

Affordable Ka-Band Metamaterial-Based Electronically Scanned Array Radar for Test and Training: Small businesses can submit proposals for developing affordable Ka-Band metamaterial-based radar systems that emulate the performance of traditional active electronically scanned arrays at a fraction of the cost. This opportunity supports the Test and Evaluation community’s need for low-cost, high-performance radar solutions to enhance threat simulation and training. Selected proposals will explore advanced metamaterials and software technologies to deliver scalable, mission-ready systems aligned with Army modernization goals.

• Sensors | A254-049
• Phase I (Feasibility)
• Maximum 6 Months | $250,000

Li-ion 6T Battery Focused Open Topic: Small businesses can submit Phase I proposals for innovative solutions that enhance the performance, safety, and scalability of military performance-32565 lithium-ion 6T batteries. This open topic seeks technologies such as wireless charging systems, fire-mitigating materials, advanced maintenance tools, and external devices that support higher voltage operations. By addressing these energy resiliency challenges, selected companies will help modernize Army power systems.

• Energy Resiliency | A254-P050
• Phase I (Feasibility)
• Maximum 6 Months | $250,000

How to Apply for Army SBIR|STTR Funding

NOTE: Congressional authorization of the SBIR and STTR programs is set to expire on September 30, 2025. Due to the absence of congressional reauthorization of the programs as of September 23,2025, the pre-release period for SBIR BAA 25.4 Release 12 & STTR BAA 25.D Release 12 will be extended and topics will not open on September 24, 2025, as originally scheduled. The Department of War anticipates the 25.4 and 25.D Release 12 topics will open on the first Wednesday following the program reauthorization, with the closing dates extended accordingly to maintain a four-week open period for proposal submissions.

The Army SBIR|STTR Program opens its pre-release period on September 3 and closes it on September 23, 2025. The official submission window begins on September 24 and ends on October 22, 2025. Army officials will host a reverse pitch webinar on September 11 to discuss the solicitations. They will provide an overview of each topic and answer programmatic questions during the session. Officials will collect technical questions and post responses on the Defense SBIR|STTR Innovation Portal within two weeks of the event.

To apply:

• Review full topic descriptions on the Army SBIR|STTR Topics Page.
• Register your business on the Defense SBIR|STTR Innovation Portal.
• Prepare and submit your proposal before the due date.

Benefits of Participating

Army SBIR provides funding to small businesses developing dual-use technologies with military and commercial applications. Selected companies receive expert support in technical, acquisition and operational areas to align their innovations with Army mission needs.

The Army STTR component encourages collaboration between small businesses and research institutions, including universities and federally funded research and development centers. Under STTR guidelines, small businesses must perform at least 40% of the work, while research partners complete a minimum of 30%.

About the Program

Established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, the Army SBIR|STTR Program invests in small business-led R&D to advance Army readiness and modernization. Managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, the program connects innovative small businesses with critical defense priorities.

By accelerating innovation and fostering collaboration, the Army SBIR|STTR Program helps maintain the Army’s technological edge and drives economic growth across defense and commercial sectors.

Stay Connected

Stay up to date on new topics, due dates, and events:

• Visit the Army SBIR|STTR website
• Follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter),LinkedIn and YouTube.
• Contact us the Army SBIR|STTR Program Office via the Army SBIR|STTR mailbox.