AFWERX Director Says Funding Opportunities Open to Innovative Tech Developers

Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the Department of Air Force, has informed entrepreneurs, educators and researchers of the funding opportunities that can help them advance their dual-use and defense-specific technologies.

Speaking at a recent Academia Days outreach event in Ohio, Leigh told participants from various universities, institutions and businesses that the AFWERX, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the U.S. Space Force, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation are offering funding for disruptive technologies that can enhance existing government capabilities, AF .mil reported.

According to Leigh, the AFWERX Small Business Technology Transfer program provides grants to small businesses collaborating with academic and nonprofit institutions. Similar to the Small Business Innovation Research program, STTR funds development efforts related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, small unmanned aerial systems, extended reality, robotic process automation, 3D printing and other advanced technologies.

AFWERX also provides entrepreneurs working with the DAF technology directorate the opportunity to attend events where they can meet with Air Force officials who can sponsor their development and prototyping initiatives.