Pre-release STTR/SBIR opportunities happening now. Find a partner & proposal consulting here.
Who We Are and What We Do
The Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) is a first-of-its-kind program that aims to enhance partnerships between the Department of the Air Force and academia nationwide in support of the United States Air Force Science & Technology 2030 Strategy. APEX is a Department of the Air Force partnership intermediary agreement.
APEX provides free resources to academic researchers and innovators throughout the U.S.A. who are interested in participating in or applying for funding from the Air Force Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transition Research (STTR) programs. APEX's goal is to make a major leap forward in Department of the Air Force defense technology innovation and development.
Our Vision
Enhance access to top national talent, advance innovative workforce development, support agile practices, expand the Department of the Air Force's scientific presence, cultivate partnerships and increase technology transition opportunities.
Our Mission
Connect universities, businesses, and the government; build collaborations between these sectors; identify their transformational operational defense solutions and capabilities; and advance defense technology development for the Department of the Air Force.
Share your ideas with the Department of the Air Force!
The Department of the Air Force is committed to delivering an effective service to connect industry, academia, and the government by expanding and strengthening their partnerships and leveraging the innovation networks within them. The Air Force Tech Connect is a new product provided by the U.S. Air Force to ensure more external innovations have a transformational impact on the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
The Tech Connect team, comprised of Air Force Research Laboratory personnel, connects quality, relevant ideas, and technologies with U.S. Air Force subject matter experts. The Tech Connect Team will review submitted ideas and inquiries, provide feedback and establish a dialogue between the submitter and potentially interested U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force programs.
The button below will navigate you to the Air Force Tech Connect website for submission of your idea.