The Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) helps innovators in academia, industry and the government make their technologies a reality and operational by the Department of the Air Force by helping them navigate the Department of the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Below are resources to help innovators on their journey through the SBIR/STTR process.
Please also visit our events page for information on upcoming APEX webinars and Department of Defense (DoD) ecosystem events.
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Resources | ||
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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 Department of the Air Force to ensure more external innovations have a transformational impact on the Department of the Air Force and Space Force. The Tech Connect team, comprised of Air Force Research Laboratory personnel, connects quality, relevant ideas and technologies with Department of the 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 Department of the Air Force and Space Force programs. | ||
The APEX MOOC are free video and web-based courses are available for anyone to enroll. The MOOC content covers:
And many more topics to help you be successful in the SBIR/STTR program! Review the video to the left for an introduction to the MOOC. | ||
Resources based on the type of entrepreneur they are designed for and the stage of business where the resource will be most useful. | ||
| U.S. Small Business Administration - Events | Provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. | |
Department of the Air Force/DoD Affiliated Websites | |
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AFWERX runs the Department of the Air Force Phase I open topics and serves as an entry point for industry to do business with the Department of the Air Force. It’s a great place to stay current with happenings in the Department of the Air Force and a good lead-in to the DSIP site. | |
AFVentures is all about tapping both U.S. and global tech ecosystems, using military problems to accelerate commercial technologies. | |
AFRL reimagines what’s possible by leading scientific research and development for the Department of the Air Force and Space Force. | |
The AFRL Small Business Hub provides excellent information on Pitch Days, events, solicitations and more. | |
| Air Force Tech Connect (AFTC) | AFTC is your service to connect with Air Force & Space Force science and technology. |
The DEF aims to inspire, connect, and empower people by convening events, forging partnerships, and delivering tangible solutions to promote a culture of innovation in the U.S. national security community. | |
| DEF Innovation Ecosystem Map (DIEM) | Open-source network map of the current DEF (https://defenseentrepreneurs.org) defense innovation ecosystem. |
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Procurement Technical Assistance Program | The DLA Procurement Technical Assistance Program was established to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in government contracts. |
The Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal for all DoD (Department of the Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, 4th Estate) SBIR/STTR solicitations, activities and applications. | |
The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program provides one-year funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards. | |
The Under Secretary of Defense 2030 Strategy "Preserving Our Competitive Advantage" | |
Department of the Air Force overview of Phase III of the SBIR/STTR program. | |
Central point for understanding and keeping up with the overall the Department of the Air Force SBIR/STTR programs. | |
The USSOCOM eSOF assists the command with conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10.001, to arrive at the most suitable approach to acquiring and distributing. | |
| Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Regional Hub Network – Midwest at Purdue University | The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Regional Hub Network – Midwest at Purdue University is a pilot initiative designed to create a new science and technology ecosystem for partners from universities, businesses, government agencies, and venture capitalists. |
| Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Regional Hub Network – Mid-Atlantic at Cornell University | The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Regional Hub Network – Mid-Atlantic at Cornell University is a pilot initiative designed to create a new science and technology ecosystem for partners from universities, businesses, government agencies and venture capitalists. |
Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR/STTR & Registration Sites | |
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The FAST Partnership Program provides one-year funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards. | |
The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) list of FFRDCs that are qualified institutional partners for STTR proposals. | |
The SBIR and STTR solicitations are produced annually in partnership with NASA's Mission Directorates and Centers to focus on the agency's priority mission needs. | |
Although the Navy's SBIR and STTR programs are a component of the overall DoD SBIR/STTR program, the Navy's program is targeted at addressing the needs and areas of interest to the Navy and its System Commands (SYSCOMS). | |
A tutorial on partnering for SBIR/STTR. | |
The SBA policy directive for SBIR and STTR programs. | |
A tutorial on registration and requirements. | |
SBA SBIR/STTR provides complete information on the SBIR and STTR programs from the SBA level. | |
A link to current SBIR STTR solicitation listings. | |
SAM is required for proposal submissions. | |
Legal Foundations, Legal Notices & Background for SBIR/STTR | |
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The Small Business Technology Council Summary of 2017 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization outlines reauthorization of SBIR/STTR in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. | |
The authorization Act for the NSF that established the Office of Small Business R&D and initiated the NSF precursor program to the federal-wide SBIR program. | |
The Federal Register announcement of SBA Policy Directive was based on program changes resulting from enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2018. The SBA combines the two directives into one document, clarifies the data rights and Phase III preference afforded to SBIR/STTR small business awardees, adds definitions for data rights and clarifies benchmarks for progress towards commercialization. | |
The Policy Directive published in May 2019 that sets the guidelines for agency SBIR/STTR programs. | |
A summary of the changes in the latest SBA SBIR/STTR Policy Directive. | |
The Small Business R&D Enhancement Act of 1992 established the reauthorization of the SBIR program that included program improvements and also established STTR as a pilot program. | |
Code of Federal Regulations SBA SBIR and STTR size and eligibility details. See sections 121.701 to 121.705 | |
The 1982 Small Business Innovation Development Act Foundational law established the SBIR program across all agencies in the U.S. government that meet the extramural R&D budget criteria. | |
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1908 was one of the foundational laws established that created the technology development and innovation ecosystem that exists today. | |
The Small Business Technology Council Summary of enhancements to the SBIR/STTR program and contracting for DoD was made in the NDAA of 2018. | |
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