Opportunity Information: Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD04
The Defense Innovation OnRamp opportunity is a Department of Defense effort led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense to make it significantly easier for non-traditional, dual-use, and commercial technology companies to work with DoD and deliver capabilities quickly to warfighter needs. The core idea is to strengthen the national security innovation base by lowering barriers that often keep startups, commercial firms, and new technical talent from engaging with defense customers. Instead of relying only on a single entry point, DIU is building a unified, national "OnRamp" made up of flagship DIU offices, a distributed regional team, and a mix of physical and digital OnRamp Hubs, plus deeper working relationships with universities, investors, research organizations, and regional innovation ecosystems.
The award recipient will be expected to design, develop, and manage the supporting infrastructure for this OnRamp network. In practical terms, that means creating and operating a coordinated system of offices and hubs, along with partnership-driven projects, that help commercial and dual-use technologies transition into DoD pathways with less friction. The work is inherently collaborative and multi-stakeholder: the recipient will need to convene and align private industry, private capital, academia, research institutions, economic development organizations, DoD mission partners, and other government entities. The intent is not just networking for its own sake, but sourcing, shaping, and executing viable solutions that remove structural barriers (such as unclear entry points, inconsistent processes, lack of shared tools, or limited regional connectivity) while also attracting and scaling technology companies and talent into defense-relevant markets.
DIU frames this as a regional presence strategy that taps existing commercial tech ecosystems across the country. DIU currently operates from five regional offices, works with roughly 30 regionally focused representatives, and partners with over 100 universities. With congressional support, DIU has also recently established five OnRamp Hubs located in Phoenix, Arizona; Dayton, Ohio; Honolulu, Hawaii; Seattle, Washington; and Wichita, Kansas. The recipient will help unify and operationalize this broader OnRamp concept across geographies, including both physical and digital engagement, and will provide direction on how to improve the ways non-traditional companies and talent can engage with DoD while growing sustainable regional defense innovation ecosystems.
A major expectation is strong program infrastructure and governance. DIU anticipates the recipient will provide coordination mechanisms, knowledge-sharing systems, resource management, standardized tools and governance approaches, and regular performance management to measure and improve outcomes across the network. The recipient will also oversee and/or coordinate projects led by other organizations that are specifically aimed at reducing barriers to working with DoD, which implies an ability to manage a portfolio of initiatives, align them to DIU priorities, and ensure they produce practical, scalable impact. This includes demonstrated capability to run collaborative initiatives with mixed teams from DoD, industry, academia, and government, as well as experience building regional ecosystem capacity and securing the necessary support from DoD and industry resource sponsors through public-private partnership models.
From the funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement, reflecting that DoD expects substantial involvement and ongoing collaboration during execution rather than a hands-off grant model. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.599 and is managed by Washington Headquarters Services. The Funding Opportunity Number is HQ003425NFOEASD04, the posted closing date is 2025-01-21, and DIU anticipates making one award with an award ceiling of $40,000,000. Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations.Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD04
- The Washington Headquarters Services in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Defense Innovation OnRamp" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.599.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Indian Highway Safety Occupant Protection Grant
Previous opportunity: Institutional Training Programs to Advance Translational Research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for HQ003425NFOEASD04
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HQ003425NFOEASD04) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Child Protection Activity Apply for 72064125RFA00001 Funding Number: 72064125RFA00001 Agency: West Africa USAID-Ghana Category: Other Funding Amount: $9,999,862 |
| U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires PAS Strategic Programs Apply for PAS AR200 FY25 04 Funding Number: PAS AR200 FY25 04 Agency: U.S. Mission to Argentina Category: Other Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Multi-Project Video Production Services Apply for 25CS03 Funding Number: 25CS03 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| DRL FY24 Supporting Civil Society Advocacy and Resilience in Sri Lanka Apply for DFOP0017081 Funding Number: DFOP0017081 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $986,500 |
| Implementation of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Apply for STI 400 25 CA 0001 Funding Number: STI 400 25 CA 0001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Tajikistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Kampala Public Diplomacy Annual Program Statement Apply for DOS PDS FY25 02 Funding Number: DOS PDS FY25 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uganda Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Call for Proposals Apply for OFOP0001721 Funding Number: OFOP0001721 Agency: U.S. Mission to Jamaica Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| S/GWI FY24 NOFO: Women for Promoting Engagement, Accountability, Conflict Resolution and Empowerment (PEACE) Apply for DFOP0017088 Funding Number: DFOP0017088 Agency: Office of the Secretary Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,466,699 |
| 2025 Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program Apply for SMK800 25 PAS003 Funding Number: SMK800 25 PAS003 Agency: U.S. Mission to North Macedonia Category: Other Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Small Grants Program 2025 Apply for DOS KAZ AST AEECA 25 001 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST AEECA 25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Democracy Commission Small Grants Program Apply for TASHKENT PDS FY25 002 Funding Number: TASHKENT PDS FY25 002 Agency: U.S. Mission to Uzbekistan Category: Other Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY 2025 Community College Initiative Program Apply for DFOP0017094 Funding Number: DFOP0017094 Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other Funding Amount: $5,625,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund NOFO Apply for PDS KIGALI FY25 002 Funding Number: PDS KIGALI FY25 002 Agency: U.S. Mission to Rwanda Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Apply for DOS KAZ AST ECA 25 001 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST ECA 25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Other Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Countering Information Manipulation Following Investigations of Suspected Biological Attacks Apply for DFOP0017102 Funding Number: DFOP0017102 Agency: Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| S/GWI FY24 RSOI: SHE’s BRIGHT - Supporting Her Empowerment: Building Resilient Initiatives and Girls’ Hope Together Apply for DFOP0017101 Funding Number: DFOP0017101 Agency: Office of the Secretary Category: Other Funding Amount: $493,339 |
| Women’s Amplified Voices in the Economy (WAVE) Apply for DFOP0017065 Funding Number: DFOP0017065 Agency: Office of Global Womens Issues Category: Other Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| Laboratory Twinning: Genome Sequence Analysis as a Tool Investigating an Alleged Biological Weapons Attack Apply for DFOP0017103 Funding Number: DFOP0017103 Agency: Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other Funding Amount: $480,000 |
| U.S. EMBASSY SINGAPORE ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT 2025 Apply for PAS SINGAPORE FY25 001 Funding Number: PAS SINGAPORE FY25 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to Singapore Category: Other Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| 2025 Annual Program Statement – DRC Small Grants Program Apply for AF DRC PDS FY25 01 Funding Number: AF DRC PDS FY25 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Category: Other Funding Amount: $25,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HQ003425NFOEASD04", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.