The Defense Innovation Unit is hosting a Dual-Use University Accelerator Challenge to identify and support cutting-edge innovations that address critical DoD needs.
Donor Name: Defense Innovation Unit
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes
Deadline: 06/25/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
This event serves as the entry point to a 12-week accelerator program designed to prepare innovators for the complexities of the defense market and position them for success.
Focus Areas
The specific focus areas for the challenge include:
- Technological solutions aligned with DoD mission needs in:
- Energy (ex. Energy Storage, Power Grid Integration, Renewable Energy Gen, Directed Energy, etc.)
- Autonomy (ex. Logistical Solutions, Contested Navigation, C-UAS, etc.)
- AI (ex. ML Advancement, Battle Space Awareness, etc.)
- Cyber/Telecommunications (ex. Tactical EW, Secure Info Sharing, 5G / EM Spectrum Dev, etc.)
- Emerging Tech (ex. Additive Manufacturing, Augmented Reality, Hypersonics, etc.)
- Human Systems
- Space
- Commercially viable, dual-use technologies that address strategic gaps in defense capabilities.
- Innovations that demonstrate potential for scalability, cost-effectiveness, and operational impact.
Benefits of Participating
- $500,000 prize pool
- Entry into a 12 week accelerator program designed to enhance readiness for DoD market engagement.
- Mentoring from subject matter experts in the ecosystem.
- Use of prize authority shall be considered the use of competitive procedures for the purposes of chapter 221 of this title. Potential for follow-on opportunities such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), FAR-based contracts, and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs).
- Comprehensive curriculum covering defense tech market insights, acquisition processes, and technology readiness development.
- Opportunities for cross-startup collaboration.
Eligibility Criteria
U.S. owned and operated companies and startups that are:
- founded by students, faculty, staff, recent graduates (within the past 18 months), or any combination thereof.
- AND early TRL 2-4 (pre-seed/seed stage) with limited or no prior DoD contracts.
- Active registration in Sam.gov. A Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is required for submission. To register or renew your entity or check your entity status, visit SAM.gov.
- Ability to commit to the 12 week accelerator program.
For more information, visit Defense Innovation Unit.
