The DoD STTR Program objectives include stimulating technological innovation, strengthening small businesses’ role in meeting DoD R&D needs, fostering and encouraging minority and disadvantaged persons’ participation in technological innovation, and increasing commercial application of DoD-supported R/R&D results. 

DoD maintains interest through SBIR/STTR topics in many research areas.  The top Technology Focus Areas:

Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms, data quality, and optimized human-machine coordination; disrupt adversaries' efforts.

Autonomy: Autonomous systems’ teaming; machine perception, reasoning and intelligence; human/autonomy systems trust and interaction.

Communications: High-performance, low power embedded processing; self-configuring, self-healing and resource allocation algorithms.

Cyber: Behavioral issues; self-securing network and methodologies development for cyber effects/consequences.

Directed Energy: Power scaling; jitter reduction; laser size/weight; adaptive optics; beam propagation; target tracking.

Hypersonics: High temperature materials; hypersonic vehicle manufacturing; air breathing propulsion; hypersonic guidance/control systems.

Microelectronics: Economically competitive domestic manufacturing capabilities; radiation hardening; radio frequency (RF) technologies for nuclear/space/electronic warfare capabilities specialty applications.

Quantum Sciences: Quantum clocks and sensors; quantum communication technologies; technologies for quantum computing in cryogenics/photon detection.

Space: Low earth orbit nano-satellites for missile warning/intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance/navigation/ communications.

Biotechnology: Disease prevention/mitigation; rapid emergency medical response and trauma management; environmental remediation; advanced materials.