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OpenFederal SBIR/STTROpen to for-profit businessesDAF27BZ01-DV009

US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers

Department of War, Air ForceCloses Nov 25, 2026(28 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an Air Force SBIR contract (not a grant) for small for-profit US businesses to scale production of AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic-yielding preceramic polymers for defense composites. It fits materials or manufacturing R&D shops with 500 or fewer employees that can handle defense contracting. Nonprofits, labs without a small-business vehicle, and companies outside advanced materials should not bother.

Best for
Small for-profit US materials science or advanced manufacturing businesses, Companies able to run R&D and pilot-scale production of UHTC precursor polymers, Small businesses with a principal investigator primarily employed by the firm, STTR teams pairing a small business with a US nonprofit research institution
Not for
Nonprofits and organizations without a for-profit small-business entity, Businesses with more than 500 employees including affiliates, Companies with no connection to defense materials or high-temperature composites
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (sbir, sttr)
74
Good Match
ManufacturingMatches your industry (manufacturing, production)
59
Good Match
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
53
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateMatches your industry (affordable)
47
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
46
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
46
Possible Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
45
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
45
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
45
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Primarily for minority-owned businesses
41
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
R&D, Research, Equipment
Who can apply
Small businesses

Questions about this grant

Who can apply for this grant?
For-profit US small businesses with 500 or fewer employees including affiliates, more than 50% owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents, and registered in SAM.gov before submitting. Under SBIR the principal investigator must be primarily employed by the business; under STTR the business partners with a US nonprofit research institution or university that does at least 30% of the work. Note this is a contract, not a grant.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts only say eligible applicants are for-profit US small businesses with 500 or fewer employees, majority US-owned, and registered in SAM.gov. They do not address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs specifically, so check the official solicitation.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. Only small for-profit businesses may apply. A nonprofit can participate only as an STTR partner doing at least 30% of the work alongside a small business.

Summary

SBIR Phase I/II contract for US small businesses (≤500 employees, majority US-owned) to scale production of AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic-yielding preceramic polymers for defense composite manufacturing. Funds R&D and pilot-scale production of UHTC precursor materials.

About this grant

The scaled production of C/C-UHTCs composites (UHTCMCs) for defense applications requires the manufacturing of UHTC precursors in quantities sufficient to support acquisition programs. This SBIR will establish production of an AFRL-patented UHTC preceramic polymers so that the materials are available, at scale and affordable price point, to the high-temperature composite production community.

Program: SBIR, Phase I and Phase II Agency: Department of War, Air Force Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV009 Solicitation: 27.BZ Released October 7, 2026; proposals accepted from October 28, 2026 Closes November 25, 2026. Check the official solicitation for the exact due time. Award type: contract, not a grant. Official solicitation: https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ Listed on SBIR.gov: https://www.sbir.gov/topics/13033. SBIR.gov copies agency solicitations and can lag behind them; the official solicitation is the final word.

Who can apply

Small businesses only: a for-profit US business with 500 or fewer employees, including affiliates.

More than 50% owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents (some agencies also accept majority ownership by venture capital, hedge fund or private equity firms; the solicitation says).

SBIR: the principal investigator is primarily employed by the business. STTR: the business partners with a US nonprofit research institution or university, which does at least 30% of the work.

Registered in SAM.gov before submitting.

Check the official solicitation for its own conditions, proposal limits and security review.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Defense
  • Materials science
  • Manufacturing

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