The U.S. Department of Transportation has officially opened the FY2026 SBIR Phase I pre-solicitation period, inviting small businesses to explore upcoming federal funding opportunities focused on transportation innovation.
The pre-solicitation window runs from April 29 through May 29, 2026 (5:00 PM ET). No applications are being accepted yet — this phase is strictly for review and preparation.
What is the SBIR program?
The Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) provides funding to U.S.-based small businesses to develop cutting-edge technologies that support federal agency missions.
For the Department of Transportation, this includes innovations across:
- highways and smart mobility
- rail systems
- public transit
- freight logistics
- hazardous materials safety
What happens during the pre-solicitation phase?
During this stage, companies can:
- Review proposed research topics
- Analyze technical requirements
- Ask questions directly to topic authors via UserVoice forum
- Prepare for the official solicitation release
Important: No submissions are accepted during this period.
FY2026 Proposed Research Topics
The FY26 program includes high-impact innovation areas across multiple DOT agencies:
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- AI-V2X Solutions for congestion prevention
- Automated catch-basin inspection systems
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Emergency battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Rail propulsion de-energizer technology
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- AI-powered trip planning systems focused on seamless, user-centered mobility
Office of the Secretary (OST)
- Predictive safety analytics for commercial transportation
- Freight corridor predictive intelligence systems
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- End-of-life battery safety and rare earth recovery
- Thermal indicator coatings for packaging safety
- Self-repairing hazardous materials packaging
- Improved response to lithium-ion battery fires
Why this matters
The FY2026 SBIR topics highlight a strong federal push toward:
- Artificial Intelligence in transportation
- Battery safety and energy systems
- Predictive analytics and automation
- Resilient infrastructure and logistics
For startups and tech firms, this represents early access to federal R&D funding pipelines and potential long-term government contracts.
Key Facts
- Program: U.S. DOT SBIR FY2026 Phase I
- Status: Pre-solicitation (no submissions yet)
- Dates: April 29 – May 29, 2026
- Target: U.S. small businesses
- Focus: AI, safety, infrastructure, energy
Q&A
Q: Can companies apply now?
A: No, applications are not accepted during the pre-solicitation phase.
Q: Who can participate?
A: U.S.-based small businesses eligible under SBIR guidelines.
Q: How to ask questions?
A: Through the official online forum hosted on UserVoice.
Q: What are the key focus areas?
A: AI mobility, rail systems, battery safety, freight analytics, and hazardous materials.
Sources: transportation.gov
