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Weekly BriefingMay 16, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Federal Innovation Funding Briefing: Week of May 16, 2026 – May 22, 2026

RallyProp tracked 97 new federal opportunities this week. 50 high-signal innovation opportunities with AI taxonomy tags are highlighted below.

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Week at a Glance

97
New Opportunities
50
High-Signal Innovation
27
Deadline Updates
10
Attachment Changes

Change Events Detected

New opportunities added118
Q&A updates100
Deadline / date changes27
Status changes23
Other field updates19
Description changes18
Attachment updates10
funding_changed1

Market Intelligence Commentary

Air Force Doubling Down on Space Tech via OTAs

The Air Force posted two separate OTA vehicles this week — STAR and STAR-FISH — both targeting Space Domain Awareness and Space-Based ISR. STAR-FISH explicitly adds an AI/software lane, signaling interest in DevSecOps and agile tooling alongside hardware. OTAs move faster than traditional contracts and are more accessible to non-traditional vendors, so if you have space situational awareness or software integration capabilities, these are worth pursuing now rather than waiting for a formal RFP.

Army and Navy BAAs Open Wide AI and Autonomy Doors

The Army's IT Lab CSO and the Navy's JADPACT II BAA both accept rolling submissions for AI/ML and data analytics work, meaning there's no hard deadline pressure — but early teaming positions matter. JADPACT II specifically spans multi-domain autonomy and mission systems, which is a rare cross-service alignment opportunity. Small firms with AI or autonomous systems IP should be identifying prime or subcontractor relationships now before these vehicles get crowded.

AI Biosecurity Funding Is a Niche Worth Watching

The Department of State's grant on AI-enabled molecular models and nonproliferation is an unusual crossover of AI ethics, synthetic biology, and national security policy — a combination very few firms are positioned for. This is a grant vehicle, which lowers barriers for research-oriented small businesses and academic consultants compared to contract work. If your team spans AI governance and biotech or life sciences, this is one of the few federal opportunities explicitly funding that intersection right now.

New Opportunities by Source

SAM.gov
77
Grants.gov
18
ERDC WERX
1
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
1

Technology Domains — High-Signal Opportunities

Applied AI & Future Computing
30
Health, Bio & Human Systems
29
Space Technologies
8
Soldier & Human Performance
7
Integrated Sensing & Effects
6
Contested Logistics & Sustainment
6
Sustainment, Climate & Infrastructure
4
Autonomous Systems & Hypersonics
4

Most Active Agencies

DEPT OF THE NAVY19
Department of Defense9
DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE8
Department of State5
VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF5
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION4
DEPT OF THE ARMY4
ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF4

High-Signal Innovation Opportunities

50 innovation opportunities with AI taxonomy classifications added this week. Top picks for small businesses and consultants:

BAABAAOpen

Information Technology Laboratory Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)

#01
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.SCO ALEXANDRIA.ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER.W2R2 USA ENGR R & D CTRDue October 30, 2027

Commercial Solutions Opening for innovative technologies addressing digital transformation, advanced computing, secure systems, and data-driven decision-making. Seeks novel solutions for defense and civil works challenges.

AI/ML InnovationData & AnalyticsZero Trust Architecture
BAAAFRLOpen

Call 02 DASH - Joint All Domain Persistent Adaptive Collaborative Technologies II (JADPACT II)

#02
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND.AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY.FA2384 USAF AFMC AFRL PZL AFRL RAKHDue June 3, 2026

JADPACT II seeks Human-Machine Teaming (HMT) solutions leveraging AI/automation for Battle Management decision advantage. Competitive event-based R&D for cutting-edge AI/autonomy approaches supporting warfighter C2 decisions.

AI/ML InnovationMission AutonomyResilient Tactical Networks
BAABAAForecast

Synopsis: Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA) -Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) NextSTEP-3 Appendix A

#03
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION.NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION.NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTERDue June 3, 2026

NASA Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA) Broad Agency Announcement seeking proposals to mature vertical solar arrays, ISRU oxygen production, Stirling radioisotope generators, in-space manufacturing, and advanced nanomaterials to TRL 5-6.

Space Domain AwarenessAdvanced ManufacturingPortable Power
BAABAAOpen

N0016426SCA005 AOI - Modular Kinetic Lethal Drones (MKLD)

#04
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSEA.NAVSEA WARFARE CENTER.NSWC CRANEDue June 1, 2026

USSOCOM seeks development of Modular Kinetic Lethal Drone (MKLD) VTOL loitering munition with recoverable, reusable design, autonomous capabilities, and modular payload integration for precision strike.

Mission AutonomyNavigation & SensingNext-Gen Munitions
OTAAFRLOpen

Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR)

#05
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND.AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY.FA9453 AFRL RVKDue March 25, 2030

Air Force Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) program funds innovative space technology R&D and prototype development through an open research announcement.

Space Domain AwarenessSpace-Based ISRDigital Twins
OTAAFRLOpen

SPACE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED RESEARCH-FAST-TRACKING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (STAR-FISH) ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) WITH CALLS

#06
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND.AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY.FA9453 AFRL RVKDue March 23, 2030

Air Force STAR-FISH program supports fast-tracked R&D and rapid prototyping of innovative software and hardware solutions for space technology challenges.

Space Domain AwarenessAgile Tools & DevSecOpsDigital Twins
GRANTGRANTOpen

​Mitigating Proliferation Risks Posed by Artificial Intelligence Enabled Molecular Models and Leveraging Nonproliferation Opportunities​

#07
Bureau of Arms Control and NonproliferationUp to $4.0MDue July 21, 2026

Develop safeguards and countermeasures against AI-enabled molecular models that could enable chemical and biological weapons proliferation. The funding supports research to identify risks and create protective measures for this emerging dual-use technology threat.

AI Ethics & GovernanceSynthetic BiologyChemical
BAABAAOpen

BAA Call N0001426SBC05 (Replacement to N0001426SBC10)

#08
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.ONR.ONR HQS.OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCHDue August 31, 2026

ONR BAA seeking innovative enabling technologies for hypersonic boost-glide vehicle systems. Open competition for R&D solutions advancing hypersonic flight vehicle capabilities and operational concepts.

Hypersonics
BAABAAForecast

In vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion and Fermentation Model System for Evaluating Military Rations

#09
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.AMC.ACC.ACC-CTRS.ACC-APG.W6QK ACC-APG NATICKDue June 4, 2026

R&D to develop standardized in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fermentation methods for evaluating military rations, including microbial community characterization and bioreactor systems.

Medical & Biodefense
GRANTGRANTOpen

FY 2026 Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)

#10
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin$250K – $1.0MDue June 19, 2026

PHMSA seeks university research on pipeline safety innovation, including AI-assisted design and leak detection, corrosion prediction and mitigation, and non-destructive inspection technologies to protect critical infrastructure.

Computer VisionExplainable AI (XAI)MLOps
View all 50 high-signal opportunities in the Funding Index

Notable Updates to Existing Opportunities

  • 27 deadline extensions or date changes were detected across active solicitations.
  • 10 opportunities received new or updated attachments — often indicating updated Q&A documents or amended solicitation terms.

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About This Briefing

The RallyProp Federal Innovation Funding Briefing is published every Friday morning covering the prior seven days of activity. This edition covers May 16, 2026 – May 22, 2026.

Data is sourced from DSIP, SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and HTML sources including Army xTech, DIU, TechConnect, Doolittle Institute, and FLEETWERX.

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