Department of Defense Grants

Open Department of Defense grants

• Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Challenge

  Up to $5.0Mopen

  Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Challenge is a grant from the Department of Defense that funds land conservation projects ne...

  land_conservationclimate_changewater_qualityresilience

• Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Program

  Up to $1.7Mopen

  Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Program is sponsored by Department of Defense. Non-dilutive funding for small businesses developing innovative defense...

  sbir_sttrdefense_researchcybersecurityartificial_intelligencematerials_science

• Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)

  open

  Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) is a grant from the Department of Defense that funds the purchase of major research equipm...

  defense_researchbasic_researchhigher_educationmaterials_sciencedata_science

• National Security Education Program (NSEP)

  open

  National Security Education Program (NSEP) is sponsored by Department of Defense. Awards scholarships, fellowships, and grants to U. S. students and i...

  education_researchinternational_developmentdefense_researchnational securitylanguage study

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions Program - Engineering

  open

  Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions Program - Engineering is sponsored by Department of Defense. Enhances S...

  stem_educationhigher_educationstemengineeringminority-serving

• DOD SBIR Phase I

  open

  DOD SBIR Phase I is sponsored by Department of Defense. Non-dilutive federal funding for defense tech startups to prove technical feasibility in cyber...

  defense_researchcybersecurityspace_technologyautonomous_systemsmaterials_science

• National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Consortia Request for Information (RFI) for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Research & Engineering)

  open

  National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Consortia Request for Information (RFI) for the Off...

  stem_educationworkforce_developmentdefense_researchnational_securitystem education

• Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) - Optics Education and Workforce Development

  open

  The Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP) is a Department of Defense grant administered by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense f...

  manufacturingworkforce_developmenteducation_researchstem_educationmanufacturing engineering

• DoD SBIR 26.1

  open

  DoD SBIR 26.1 is a Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research solicitation offering up to $250,000 in Phase I funding to small businesse...

  ai_sciencequantum_computingmaterials_sciencedefense_researchmachine learning

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

  open

  Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program is sponsored by Department of Defense. This opportunit...

  cybersecuritydefense_researchinnovationsmall_businesssmall business

• Small Business Technology Transfer Program

  open

  Small Business Technology Transfer Program is a grant from the Department of Defense that funds cooperative R&D between small businesses and non-profi...

  defense_researchsmall_business

• Mentor-Protégé Program

  open

  Mentor-Protégé Program is sponsored by Department of Defense. Program pairs small businesses with larger mentors to develop technical and business cap...

  defense_researchsmall_businessmentorprotégésmall business

• DoD Small Business Innovation Research Program

  open

  DoD Small Business Innovation Research Program is sponsored by Department of Defense. Funds innovative AI technologies for defense applications, which...

  ai_sciencedefense_researchai_foundation_modelsartificial_intelligencedefense

• DARPA's Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program

  open

  DARPA's Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program is sponsored by Department of Defense. Funds the development of domestic bioindustrial manufac...

  biotechnologymanufacturingdefense_researchbioindustrial manufacturingdomestic manufacturing

• Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP)

  open

  Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP) is sponsored by Department of Defense. ERCIP funds projects that improve energy resilien...

  energy_efficiencyclean_energydefense_researchnational_securityenergy resilience

• DoD SBIR 26.1 Solicitation

  open

  DoD SBIR 26.1 Solicitation is a Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research program that funds U.S. small businesses developing dual-use ...

  cybersecuritydefense_researchcyber defensethreat intelligencedark web

• Ovarian Cancer Research Program

  open

  Ovarian Cancer Research Program is sponsored by Department of Defense. Part of CDMRP FY2026 funding with $50 million allocated for ovarian cancer rese...

  defense_researchcancer_researchsmall_business

• SBIR Program

  open

  SBIR Program is a grant from the Department of Defense that funds research and development by U.S. small businesses to develop innovative technologies...

  ai_safetyai_sciencedefense_researchsmall businessdefense

• Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP)

  open

  Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) is sponsored by Department of Defense. DOD's environmental technology demonstration an...

  defense_researchinnovation

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 26.1

  open

  Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 26.1 is sponsored by Department of Defense. The DOD SBIR program is a competitive program that encourages do...

  defense_researchsmall_businesssbirsmall businessresearch and development

Where Department of Defense grants go

Recent grant recipients are concentrated in these states. Funders sometimes fund outside their primary states for high-fit projects, so don't self-eliminate solely on geography — check each opportunity's stated eligibility.

What Department of Defense funds

Top program areas based on GrantMind's analysis of recent Department of Defense awards:

How to apply for Department of Defense grants

Most Department of Defense applications require: an organizational profile with mission and programs, a project proposal aligned with the funder's stated priorities, a project budget, and supporting attachments (IRS determination letter, board list, recent financials). Federal applicants additionally need a SAM.gov UEI and an active Grants.gov account.