{"id":29387,"date":"2023-04-12T08:52:12","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T12:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ccc.ca\/?page_id=29387"},"modified":"2025-12-17T10:51:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:51:50","slug":"u-s-dod-innovation-programs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ccc.ca\/en\/canadian-exporters\/u-s-dod-innovation-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. DoD Innovation Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Get familiar with the U.S. defense innovation ecosystem and discover why Canadian companies are perfectly positioned to seize the opportunity<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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With the backdrop of an increasingly complex security environment defined by rapid technological change, the U.S Department of Defense (DoD) is acutely aware that its competitive military advantage is at risk of further eroding without a rapid, iterative approach to fostering innovation. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Unrelenting competitive pressures have given rise to an innovation ecosystem within the DoD as well as a realization that technological advantage depends on a healthy and secure national security innovation base that includes both traditional and non-traditional defence partners. This has opened doors for new entrants and smaller-scale vendors\u2014both domestic and foreign\u2014to provide cutting-edge technologies to the DoD. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Download our guide to learn more about the U.S. DoD, how much they spend every year and their priority areas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Explore U.S. DoD Innovation Programs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>

There are many doors through which you can enter the U.S. DoD defence innovation ecosystem. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Navigate by program:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Accelerators<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Accelerators offer programs focused on scaling the growth of an existing company. Accelerators typically provide some seed money and mentors. Programs are typically a few months ending in an opportunity to pitch to investors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Air Force Techstars Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Allied Space Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Catalyst Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span><\/b> | Starburst Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>T3 Accelerator<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Challenge Programs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

A challenge program can be a single or recurring competition aimed at solving problems where emerging technologies might provide non-traditional solutions, or to expand the pool of companies working on critical issues. Challenges may offer winners money or may result in a government contract.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

AFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Challenge.gov<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Dreamport<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>ERDCWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Hyperspace Challenge<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>MGMWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>National Security Innovation Network<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b> SOFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|<\/span><\/b>STRIKEWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>xTechsearch<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Networking Programs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Networking organizations build networks and relationships between government organizations, industry, private equity firms, and academia to solve challenging problems.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

AFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Defense Innovation Marketplace<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>DEFENSEWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Doolittle Institute<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>ERDCWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>MGMWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>National Security Innovation Network<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>NavalX<\/span><\/a>\u202f| <\/span><\/b>\u00a0
Rapid Reaction Technology Office<\/span><\/a> |\u202f<\/span><\/b>SOFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>STRIKEWERX<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Funding Opportunities<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Funding opportunities are offered by organizations that want to invest in and improve the chances of success start-ups or small businesses that are pursuing advancements in technology. These are not government contracts or agreements.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Air Force Techstars Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Allied Space Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Catalyst Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f| <\/span><\/b>In-Q-Tel<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Rapid Reaction Technology Office<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Starburst Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f| <\/span><\/b>T3 Accelerator<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Government Contracting Authorities<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

A government contracting authority can make contract awards or agreements for government projects. These organizations have warranted Contracting Officers who are authorized issue contracts on behalf of the government.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Air Force Research Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>AFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Army Applications Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Army Research Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Army SBIR\/STTR<\/span><\/a>\u202f| <\/span><\/b>DARPA<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Defense Innovation Unit<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>DoD Labs<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Naval Research Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>\u00a0
Navy SBIR\/STTR<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>Rapid Innovation Fund<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Incubators<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Incubators focus on start-up and entrepreneurial entities with innovative ideas. Not-for-profit and government or university operated incubators want a positive economic impact and a state-of-the-art U.S. industrial base from their program.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In-Q-Tel<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span><\/b>SOFWERX<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Navigate by organization:\u00a0<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

DARPA<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Defense Innovation Marketplace<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Defense Innovation Unit<\/span><\/a>\u202f\u202f|\u202f<\/span>DEFENSEWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>DoD Laboratories<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Doolittle Institute<\/span><\/a>\u202f| <\/span>ERDCWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>MGMWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f| <\/span>National Security Innovation Network<\/span><\/a>\u202f\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Rapid Innovation Fund<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Rapid Reaction Technology Office<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>SOFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Air Force<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Air Force Techstars Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Air Force Research Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>AFWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Allied Space Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Catalyst Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f| \u202f<\/span>Hyperspace Challenge<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Starburst Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>STRIKEWERX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>T3 Accelerator<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Army<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Army Applications Laboratory<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Army Research Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Army SBIR\/STTR<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>xTechsearch<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u202f<\/span>Navy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

NavalX<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Naval Research Lab<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>Navy SBIR\/STTR<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Non-DoW<\/span><\/b><\/h4>

Challenge.gov<\/span><\/a>\u202f|\u202f<\/span>In-Q-Tel<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Back to top<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Interested in a program?<\/h3>

Let us help you navigate the accelerator and funding providers ecosystem and ensure that your preferred program is right for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Contact us<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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DoD Innovation Program Information<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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AFWERX<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

For vendors looking to do business with the U.S. Air Force, AFWERX\u2014the technology directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory\u2014is the starting point. As the innovation arm of the Air Force, the program seeks to bring together industry, academia and non-traditional contributors to uncover transformational air and space technology. Within AFWERX there are three subprograms: AFVentures invests in emerging technologies, Spark provides training and networking opportunities; and Prime provides funding to accelerate technology development. There are many possible entry points detailed on the AFWERX website, from innovation workspaces and ideation platforms, to crowdsourcing campaigns as well as the <\/span>AFWERX Challenge<\/span> program.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Canadian participation:<\/span><\/b> Welcome. Canadian companies have received AFWERX grants for innovative technology such as high-speed vertical aircraft take-off and landing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Technology areas:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>