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USSOCOM SBIR/STTR (via SOFWERX)

Phase I typically ~$100,000–$250,000; Phase II typically ~$1M–$2M (topic-dependent) · US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) / SOFWERX

US Special Operations Command SBIR/STTR funds small businesses solving special-operations problems, run in partnership with SOFWERX. Frequent release cadence with Phase I and Direct-to-Phase-II opportunities; strong emphasis on rapidly fieldable, dual-use tech. Current lifecycle: open. Real economics: Phase I typically ~$100,000–$250,000; Phase II typically ~$1M–$2M (topic-dependent).

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Key facts

FunderUS Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) / SOFWERX
AmountPhase I typically ~$100,000–$250,000; Phase II typically ~$1M–$2M (topic-dependent)
Decision timePhase I selections typically ~2–3 months after close
EligibilityUS for-profit small business (<500 employees), >50% US-owned; US-based work. STTR requires a US research-institution partner. SOF mission relevance required.
RestrictionsAwards are contracts or grants with technical milestones, invoices, cybersecurity and federal compliance; Phase II and transition funding are separately competed or negotiated. Funds pay only the awarded topic's allowable R&D costs; lobbying, unsupported costs and work outside contract scope are excluded.
Statusopen

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

  1. Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration, and DSIP account
  2. Watch SOFWERX events / DSIP for USSOCOM SBIR/STTR releases (frequent, numbered releases)
  3. Select topic and attend SOFWERX Q&A/industry events
  4. Submit Phase I or Direct-to-Phase-II proposal via DSIP
  5. USSOCOM technical evaluation and selection
  6. Award and rapid prototyping/transition via SOFWERX

Background

US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) / SOFWERX operates USSOCOM SBIR/STTR (via SOFWERX). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. USSOCOM uses SOFWERX events and DSIP for rapid topic engagement. The federal SBIR/STTR framework provides a competitive Phase I-to-Phase II pathway. Phase III uses non-SBIR funding and is not guaranteed.

How the application really works

Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration, and DSIP account → Watch SOFWERX events / DSIP for USSOCOM SBIR/STTR releases (frequent, numbered releases) → Select topic and attend SOFWERX Q&A/industry events → Submit Phase I or Direct-to-Phase-II proposal via DSIP → USSOCOM technical evaluation and selection → Award and rapid prototyping/transition via SOFWERX

Tips

Watch out for

Track record

The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?
open. USSOCOM and SOFWERX uses short topic releases and SOFWERX events; applicants must verify the live topic and close date because release windows change.
What is the real economic value?
Phase I typically ~$100,000–$250,000; Phase II typically ~$1M–$2M (topic-dependent)
Who is eligible?
US for-profit small business (<500 employees), >50% US-owned; US-based work. STTR requires a US research-institution partner. SOF mission relevance required.
How does selection work?
Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration, and DSIP account; Watch SOFWERX events / DSIP for USSOCOM SBIR/STTR releases (frequent, numbered releases); Select topic and attend SOFWERX Q&A/industry events; Submit Phase I or Direct-to-Phase-II proposal via DSIP; USSOCOM technical evaluation and selection; Award and rapid prototyping/transition via SOFWERX. Phase I selections typically ~2–3 months after close
What burden and restrictions apply?
Awards are contracts or grants with technical milestones, invoices, cybersecurity and federal compliance; Phase II and transition funding are separately competed or negotiated. Funds pay only the awarded topic's allowable R&D costs; lobbying, unsupported costs and work outside contract scope are excluded.
What evidence exists?
USSOCOM uses SOFWERX events and DSIP for rapid topic engagement. The federal SBIR/STTR framework provides a competitive Phase I-to-Phase II pathway. Phase III uses non-SBIR funding and is not guaranteed. The reviewed official corpus does not publish an applicant denominator and comparable selection rate.

Related grants

NSF SBIR/STTR — America's Seed FundPhase I up to USD 305,000; Phase II up to USD 1.25 million, with later supplements and commercialization support possible. · National Science Foundation (NSF)NIH SBIR/STTR (Small Business Programs / SEED)Phase I guideline up to USD 400,000 and Phase II up to USD 2.15 million; approved waiver topics may reach about USD 700,000 Phase I and USD 3 million Phase II. · National Institutes of Health (NIH) — HHSDoD SBIR/STTR (Defense-wide, via DSIP)Phase I typically ~$100,000–$250,000 (component-dependent); Phase II typically ~$1,000,000–$2,000,000 · US Department of Defense (DoD) — components incl. Army, Navy, Air Force, DARPA, DTRA, DLA, MDA, SOCOMAFWERX SBIR/STTR — Department of the Air Force (incl. AFRL)Open Topic Phase I ~$75,000 (SBIR) / ~$110,000 (STTR) feasibility; Phase II ~$0.75M–$1.9M; STRATFI up to ~$15M with matching · Department of the Air Force (AFWERX / Air Force Research Laboratory)OpenAI Startup Fund — Converge AcceleratorUSD 1,000,000 maximum; see notes for structure · OpenAI Startup FundEIC Pathfinder (Open & Challenges)Pathfinder Open grants up to EUR 4 million; Challenges commonly allow up to EUR 4 million unless the specific challenge states otherwise, normally at 100% eligible costs. · European Innovation Council (EIC) / European Commission — EU

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