SpaceWERX, AFWERX Launch Funding Grant for Space Technology Development

SpaceWERX and AFWERX AFVentures, the Department of the Air Force’s commercial investment arm, have launched the Strategic Funding Increase and Tactical Funding Increase programs for 2024.

According to a notice of opportunity issued by the organizations, the program helps bridge the transition between the SBIR/STTR Phase II efforts and the Phase III scaling initiative, allowing the rapid delivery of strategic capabilities to the Air Force.

STRATFI/TACFI is open to a small business concern companies with an awarded Phase II Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contract. Interested parties can submit their applications until April 12, the Air Force Materiel Command said.

SpaceWERX Director Arthur Grijalva said that the STRATFI/TACFI programs provide an opportunity for the U.S. Space Force to collaborate with Department of Defense organizations on producing solutions that will help achieve the service’s priorities.

In 2021, the Space Force’s innovation hub announced the STRATFI initiative to foster the relationship between AFWERX, SpaceWERX and the private sector to ignite technological advancement.

The Air Force launched the SpaceWERX program in December 2020 as an initiative to help startups develop innovative space technologies for the Space Force.