Follow-On Opportunities
Continuing the Connection Beyond the Encountering Innovation Tech Showcase
Encountering Innovation regularly receives information about government, defense, demonstration, experimentation, accelerator, funding, and other opportunities that may be relevant to innovators within the EI network.
This page provides a central location for sharing those opportunities as they become available.
How It Works
New Follow-On Opportunities are added at the top of this page, with the most recent opportunity appearing first.
Each posting provides a brief explanation of the opportunity, identifies who should consider it, highlights important dates and requirements, and provides EI Guidance to help innovators determine whether the opportunity may be a good fit.
When an opportunity fits your technology or company, review the official information provided and work directly with the identified Government / Program Point of Contact (POC) regarding technical, eligibility, or submission questions.
EI identifies opportunities, helps innovators understand potential fit, and makes connections. Each company is responsible for evaluating the opportunity and preparing and submitting its own response.
Current Follow-On Opportunities
Most recent opportunities appear first.
🟢 OPEN — 25 DAYS REMAINING
DTRA/JSTO S&T CBRN-Capability Operational User Trial 2027 (SCOUT 27) & Concepts Crucible
Phase 1: submit through JETT using “Reply to an RFI” and Notice ID “SCOUT 27”; attach the official SCOUT 27 Technology Quad. JETT access/submission issues: usarmy.apg.dod-jpeo-cbrnd.mbx.jett@army.mil. Selected Phase 1 capabilities will be invited to Phase 2 via Vulcan-sof.com.
September 13, 2026
EI Posted Date:
October 9, 2026
Submission Deadline:
Opportunity
SCOUT 27 is a DTRA/JSTO operational experimentation opportunity designed to evaluate CBRN technologies with Joint Warfighters. The main event is scheduled for March 12–18, 2027 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story, Virginia. JSTO will also review submissions for potential alignment with its broader experimentation campaign, including Micro-SCOUT and other accelerated solution-exploration venues.
The opportunity has two tracks: ruggedized prototypes for operational assessment and an early-stage Concepts Crucible for static evaluation and feedback.
Who Should Consider this Opportunity
EI innovators developing CBRN-relevant capabilities should review this opportunity across a wide maturity range. Ruggedized prototypes at approximately TRL 4–6+ may be considered for hands-on SCOUT operational assessment, while TRL 1–3 concepts may fit the Concepts Crucible static-display track.
Eligible sources include industrial/commercial entities, federal R&D organizations, academia, nonprofits, eligible FFRDCs, and UARCs.
What They're Looking For
JSTO is seeking leap-ahead capabilities for future contested, multi-domain CBRN environments. Four principal focus areas are: decentralized early warning and tactical data fusion; warfighter burden reduction and extended protection; autonomous and precision hazard mitigation; and tactical-edge diagnostics and expeditionary resiliency.
Selection emphasizes operational potential, survivability and burden reduction, effectiveness in dispersed/logistics-contested operations, situational awareness, and readiness for the March 2027 event or other campaign venues.
EI Guidance
Before investing significant time in a submission, EI recommends that innovators first determine:
Does the technology directly address a CBRN operational problem or one of SCOUT 27's four focus areas?
Which track fits the current maturity: ruggedized prototype (TRL 4–6+) or Concepts Crucible early-stage concept (TRL 1–3)?
Can the team provide an unclassified technology description and complete the official SCOUT 27 Technology Quad?
If selected for an operational venue, can the technology and team realistically support the March 12–18, 2027 event or another JSTO experimentation window?
Can the developer address foreign-disclosure/export-control requirements if international partner observers will be present?
If the answers are generally yes, this opportunity deserves immediate review. Phase 1 must be submitted through JETT by October 9, 2026. Allow time for JETT account approval, which the notice says may take up to 24 hours. Do not submit a proposal; submit the requested JETT information and official SCOUT 27 Technology Quad.
Official Information / Submission
Government / Program POC
DTRA/JSTO Experiments & Exercises Branch (CBEX) — SCOUT 27 Submissions
🟢 OPEN — 56 DAYS REMAINING
NINDS Efficacy and Exploratory Clinical Trials (UG3/UH3 — Clinical Trial Required)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
September 13, 2026
EI Posted Date:
Multiple due dates through March 9, 2029; next new-application deadline: November 9, 2026
Submission Deadline:
Opportunity
The NINDS Efficacy and Exploratory Clinical Trials program (PAR-27-065) supports investigator-initiated clinical trials aimed at preventing or improving outcomes of neurological disorders. The UG3/UH3 phased cooperative agreement can support early- and middle-phase exploratory trials as well as confirmatory/pivotal Phase 3 and comparative-effectiveness trials.
Eligible interventions may include small molecules, biologics, medical devices, surgical approaches, behavioral or diet-based interventions, rehabilitation therapies, and other approaches within the NINDS mission.
Who Should Consider this Opportunity
EI innovators should consider this opportunity only if they are ready to participate in a formal clinical-trial program addressing a neurological disorder and can assemble the scientific, clinical, regulatory, and institutional capabilities needed for an NIH UG3/UH3 application.
Small businesses and other for-profit organizations are eligible, as are universities, nonprofits, and other listed organizations. This is not an early technology-discovery or prototype-development opportunity; a clinical trial is required.
What They're Looking For
NINDS is seeking well-developed investigator-initiated clinical trials of promising interventions for neurological disorders. The program covers exploratory early/middle-phase work, confirmatory or pivotal trials, comparative-effectiveness studies, and certain pragmatic or adaptive designs.
Applications must present a scientifically justified clinical-trial approach, measurable milestones, appropriate enrollment and retention plans, and—for exploratory trials—clear next-development steps and go/no-go criteria. Projects transition from the UG3 phase to UH3 only after satisfactory progress.
EI Guidance
Before investing significant time in an application, EI recommends that innovators first determine:
Does the proposed intervention clearly address a neurological disorder within the NINDS mission?
Is the technology/intervention mature enough for a formal human clinical trial rather than preclinical development or general R&D?
Can the team assemble the clinical investigators, trial sites, regulatory support, data/statistical capability, and institutional grants infrastructure required for an NIH cooperative agreement?
Can the proposed trial establish measurable milestones and, for exploratory work, credible go/no-go criteria and a defined path to the next stage of development?
Has the team contacted NINDS program staff early enough to discuss fit before committing substantial proposal resources?
If the answers are generally yes, review PAR-27-065 closely and consider contacting NINDS before selecting a submission cycle. Because this NOFO has multiple application due dates, teams should choose a cycle based on actual clinical and proposal readiness rather than treating March 2029 as the working deadline.
Official Information / Submission
Government / Program POC
NINDS Division of Clinical Research — Efficacy and Exploratory Clinical Trials
NINDS encourages inquiries from potential applicants. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization; technical submission-system questions should use the appropriate eRA or Grants.gov support channel.
🟢 OPEN — 16 DAYS REMAINING
FDA Advancing Real-World Evidence (RWE) Program
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — CDER & CBER
September 12, 2026
EI Posted Date:
September 30, 2026
Submission Deadline:
Opportunity
The FDA Advancing Real-World Evidence (RWE) Program provides selected medical product sponsors an opportunity to meet directly with FDA staff before protocol development or study initiation to discuss the use of real-world evidence in medical product development.
The program is intended to advance RWE approaches that may support new intended labeling claims—including new indications for approved medical products—or satisfy post-approval study requirements.
Who Should Consider this Opportunity
Drug and biologic developers that are sufficiently mature in the regulatory process to have an IND or pre-IND number and are considering a pivotal study using real-world data or real-world evidence should review this opportunity.
For EI innovators, this may be particularly relevant to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biologic, medical countermeasure, or related developers whose products already have an established FDA regulatory pathway and who want to use RWE as part of an effectiveness or post-approval strategy.
What They're Looking For
FDA is seeking eligible proposals involving pivotal studies using real-world data and real-world evidence that could support regulatory requirements for effectiveness labeling or post-approval study requirements.
FDA will consider factors including whether the proposed data are fit for use, whether the study design is adequate to answer the regulatory question, and whether the proposal contributes to a diversity of data sources, study designs, analytical methods, indications, and disease areas.
EI Guidance
Before investing significant time in a submission, EI recommends that innovators first consider these basic fit questions:
Do you already have an IND or pre-IND number for the medical product?
Are you proposing a pivotal study, rather than general research, methods development, or an exploratory study?
Is the proposed use of RWE intended to support an effectiveness labeling objective or satisfy a post-approval study requirement?
Are you far enough along to discuss study design, data sources, analysis, endpoints, controls/comparators, and regulatory conduct with FDA?
If the answers are generally yes, this opportunity deserves closer review. Carefully review FDA's official program requirements and submission instructions before proceeding.
Official Information / Submission
Government / Program POC
FDA Advancing Real-World Evidence Program — CDER / CBER
Use subject line: “Advancing RWE Program.”
🟢 OPEN — 12 DAYS REMAINING
Horizon Manufacturing Cup
Review the official Horizon Cup Terms & Conditions before applying. Phase 1 applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on September 26, 2026. Finalists must pitch live in Bloomington, Indiana, on October 20, 2026. Awardees must agree to a milestone schedule and Munitions Campus occupancy requirements.
August 28, 2026
EI Posted Date:
September 26, 2026 — 11:59 PM ET
Submission Deadline:
Opportunity
The Horizon Manufacturing Cup is a fast-pitch competition designed to accelerate U.S. manufacturing, hardware, and materials technologies relevant to the defense and energetics industrial base. ACMI is offering $3 million in total awards, including a $1 million grand prize, with five companies expected to receive awards.
Phase 1 is an online application. Selected companies advance to an in-person fast-pitch competition at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, on October 20, 2026.
Who Should Consider this Opportunity
U.S.-based businesses at Seed stage or later developing a tangible hardware, materials, manufacturing, component, delivery-system, prototype-system, or related physical technology should consider the competition.
Pure software applications are not eligible. Technologies should have a credible connection to domestic defense or energetics research, development, demonstration, testing, scale-up, manufacturing, or transition. Dual-use commercial potential can strengthen fit.
What They're Looking For
ACMI is looking for technologies that can strengthen the domestic defense and energetics industrial base and move toward production at scale. Phase 1 pitch decks are limited to 10 slides and should address the company, relevant operating metrics, leadership, TRL, core technology, market opportunity, and defense-industrial-base applications.
Evaluation emphasizes technical merit, innovation, prototype readiness, industrial impact, commercialization potential, and readiness. Awardees must agree to a milestone schedule and maintain occupancy at Munitions Campus for at least three years; the published terms provide 150 sq. ft. of rent-free space that can satisfy the occupancy requirement.
EI Guidance
Before investing significant time in an application, EI recommends that innovators first determine:
Is the company U.S.-based and at Seed stage or later?
Does the proposed project include a real physical hardware, material, manufacturing, component, delivery-system, or prototype-system element rather than pure software?
Can the project materially advance U.S. defense or energetics manufacturing, scale-up, production, testing, or transition?
Can the company clearly explain what Horizon funding would accomplish through measurable manufacturing or technology milestones?
If selected, can company leadership support the October 20 in-person pitch and realistically work within the Munitions Campus occupancy requirement?
If the answers are generally yes, review the official application and terms immediately. EI recommends making the manufacturing scale-up problem, specific use of funds, measurable milestones, and defense-industrial-base impact unmistakable. The published award terms use a 15% initial advance, 60% milestone payments, and 25% final payment after acceptance of the final deliverable.