On March 17, 2026, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) issued a Request for Application (“RFA”) under the Genesis Mission, a White House-led AI initiative announced in November 2025. The RFA, with $293.76 million in anticipated total funding, solicits project proposals for 21 areas ranging from advanced manufacturing and industrial productivity to energy and nuclear physics. Applications for Phase I and letters of intent for Phase II are both due April 28, 2026. This blog post reviews the development of the Genesis Mission since last year and summarizes the key elements of the current funding opportunity.
Continue Reading DOE Announces a New Funding Opportunity under the Genesis Missionresearch and development
U.S. Department of Commerce Opens New Funding Opportunity for Semiconductor R&D
The Department of Commerce recently released a new funding opportunity to support semiconductor-related research and development using funds appropriated under the CHIPS Act of 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-167, 136 Stat. 1366 (Aug. 9, 2022)). Set forth below are a few key considerations that interested applicants should bear in mind when evaluating this opportunity, including that the Department may expect to receive upside (e.g., equity stakes) in selected projects.
Continue Reading U.S. Department of Commerce Opens New Funding Opportunity for Semiconductor R&DDoD Rolls Out Proposed Changes to Prototype OTA Regulations
By Peter Terenzio & Jennifer Plitsch on
Posted in Procurement Policy
On September 4, DoD published a proposed rule updating the other transaction (OT) regulations set forth in 32 CFR part 3. These updates are intended to implement various changes to the prototype OT statute (42 U.S.C § 4022) previously enacted by Congress. Among other things, those changes included:
- An expansion of the “appropriate circumstances” under which a prototype OT may be issued, to include situations involving participation by nonprofit research institutions, participation by small businesses, or opportunities “to expand the defense supply base”; and
- Authority for DoD to issue follow-on “production” OTs on a sole source basis, provided that competitive procedures were used for award of the initial prototype OT.
Although these changes were already applicable to DoD as a matter of statute, the proposed rule would ensure that the CFR is aligned with the statute and that the regulations provide accurate guidance. More details are below.
Continue Reading DoD Rolls Out Proposed Changes to Prototype OTA RegulationsSBA Proposes New Data Rights and Phase III Preferences under SBIR/STTR Awards
By Jennifer Plitsch on
The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) recently issued a notice detailing proposed amendments to the policy directives governing the Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) and Small Business Technology Transfer (“STTR”) programs. The notice indicates that the SBA intends to implement significant changes to the current data rights provided under SBIR/STTR awards, as well as the method by which program participants—or their successors in interest—receive preferences in the third phase of efforts to develop technologies under either program.
The proposed changes open up new possibilities for a company’s competitors to benefit from its participation in the SBIR/STTR programs. However, the changes also provide additional certainty that may encourage increased participation by small research and development companies and investors that are currently unsure as to whether SBIR/STTR awards can effectively be used to commercialize new technologies.Continue Reading SBA Proposes New Data Rights and Phase III Preferences under SBIR/STTR Awards