SBIR & STTR Topics for AI & Machine Learning Companies in Washington

There are 15 open federal SBIR/STTR topics right now that match AI & Machine Learning capabilities, across DOD, NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, USDA, and 5 other agencies. Below: the current open topic list, recent AI & Machine Learning winners headquartered in Washington, the Washington SBDC SBIR contact, and how TopicScout compares to SBIR.gov / Grants.gov / HigherGov / Instrumentl for finding the next topic to apply to.

Open AI & Machine Learning topics (15)

1. Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) — Geological Survey · closes 2026-05-30
   The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on the utility of the Skydio Dock for X10 to (1) fly remotely beyond visual line of site (BVLOS), (2) collect image velocimetry (IV) data, (3) upload IV data via the …
2. Tribal Colleges and Universities Program — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-06-01
   The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) provides awards to federally recognized1 Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote high quality science (inc…
3. Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey · closes 2026-06-14
   The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) seeks to provide financial assistance for a research project to help build a program to use new remote sensing platforms to improve understanding of how southwestern U.S.…
4. New Generation of Glucose Control Technologies Incorporating AI/ML Tools/Strategies (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health · closes 2026-06-17
   The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research addressing barriers that limit progress toward more effective open- and closed-loop diabetes control systems. This may include research that addresses: 1) innovation of sensing …
5. FY 2026 Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP) — Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin · closes 2026-06-19
   The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration¿s (PHMSA) FY 2026 CAAP NOFO solicits research proposals from nonprofit institutions of higher education for the Pipeline Safety Research and Development (R&D) Program. This…
6. Linguistics — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-07-15
   The Linguistics Program supports basic science in the domain of human language, encompassing investigations of the grammatical properties of individual human languages, and of natural language in general. Research areas include syntax, sema…
7. TechAccess: AI-Ready America — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-07-16
   TechAccess: AI‑Ready America is a national-scale initiative to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness and adoption across the U.S. by strengthening coordination, leveraging partnerships and resources, filling gaps, and scal…
8. CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-07-21
   Government and the nation face a talent shortfall in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program welcomes proposals that address AI and cybersecurity education and workforce…
9. NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-07-24
   The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program supports individual investigators who propose novel research projects with the potential to innovatively and creatively address new areas of fundamental or applied research,…
10. Integrated Data Systems & Services — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-07-28
    The Integrated Data Systems and Services (IDSS) program supports operations-level national-scale cyberinfrastructure systems and services that broadly advance and facilitate open, data-intensive and artificial intelligence-driven science an…
11. Science of Learning and Augmented Intelligence — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-08-05
    Science of Learning and Augmented Intelligence (SL) supports potentially transformative research that develops basic theoretical insights and fundamental knowledge about principles, processes and mechanisms of learning, and about augmented …
12. Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology - Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-08-07
    The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions (MSIs) as defined in this solicitation’s Eligibility section, through …
13. Research Training Groups in the Mathematical Sciences — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-08-11
    The long-range goal of the Research Training Groups in the Mathematical Sciences (RTG) program is to strengthen the nation's scientific competitiveness by increasing the number of well-prepared U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent r…
14. Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems — U.S. National Science Foundation · closes 2026-09-01
    The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challeng…
15. DoW Prostate Cancer, Data Science Award — Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA · closes 2026-09-02
    Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Data Science Award (DSA) supports research that develops or uses quantitative and analytical approaches, processes and/or systems to obtain knowledge and insight f…

Recent AI & Machine Learning SBIR winners in Washington

1. TALUS BIOSCIENCE INC (Renton, Washington) — Department of Health and Human Services Phase I 2023, $398,441
   Deep learning methods to accelerate discoveryof drugs targeting gene regulatory proteins
2. COVE TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING LLC (Bainbridge Island, Washington) — Department of Health and Human Services Phase II 2023, $868,295
   A closed-loop gravity infusion control device

How to find SBIR topics: TopicScout vs alternatives

SBIR.gov is the canonical source — every SBIR/STTR topic posts there first. TopicScout's value isn't access; it's the cap-statement scoring + weekly digest so you stop scanning portals by hand. Try the free matcher against your statement — takes a paragraph, no signup.

FAQ

How do I find open SBIR topics for a AI & Machine Learning company in Washington?

The canonical source is SBIR.gov, which lists every open SBIR/STTR topic across all 11 federal agencies. To filter to AI & Machine Learning-relevant topics that match your specific tech, paste your capability statement into TopicScout's free matcher — it scores all open topics against your cap statement in ~60 seconds. Washington SBIR firms also get help from the Washington SBDC and state matching-fund programs.

What's the best SBIR matching tool for AI & Machine Learning startups?

For solo founders: TopicScout's $29/mo plan covers all 11 agencies with weekly AI-scored digests. For consulting firms supporting multiple clients: TopicScout institutional plan ($500–2k/mo flat) or HigherGov ($500–5k/yr). For nonprofits (not SBIR-eligible): Instrumentl. SBIR.gov itself is free but requires manual scanning.

Which agencies fund the most AI & Machine Learning SBIR/STTR work?

Based on the current open topic list, the top agencies for AI & Machine Learning are visible in the topic list above. Historically: DARPA + AFWERX + Navy SBIR for defense-adjacent AI & Machine Learning, NIH + CDC for health-adjacent, NSF + DOE for foundational R&D.