Google still sends “how to find SBIR opportunities” to SBIR.gov — the official record, and a slow capture tool. Here is the 2026 workflow we recommend for defense small businesses.
AFWERX, SpaceWERX, and other DoD components release open topics on a recurring DSIP cadence. Pre-release is when you can talk to the TPOC. Once the topic opens, that window usually closes. Watch open topics and the deadline calendar daily instead of refreshing SBIR.gov.
Before you write Phase I, search who already won the topic family. SBIR award search and topic incumbents use the same public USASpending/SBIR.gov data, ranked so a firm name query does not return a random abstract mention.
AI Search answers from live award and topic records (one free query, no account). Ask “Has [firm] won any SBIRs?” or paste a topic code. It will not invent CAGE/UEI numbers.
Upload a capability statement on Match for a ranked shortlist, or run the free readiness scorecard if you are still deciding whether SBIR is even the right path.
Phase II is where money lands. Read Phase I→II conversion by agency and skip topic families that never convert.