# SBIR/STTR Topic Radar: Open Topics, Deadlines & DoD Q\&A (`pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar`) Actor

Use this to find open SBIR and STTR topics from every agency (DoD branches, NIH, NASA, NSF, DOE, USDA, DHS...) by keyword, with full topic text, close dates, days left, topic numbers, official links and DoD Q\&A status plus technical points of contact. Excel and CSV.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar.md
- **Developed by:** [Panda Federation](https://apify.com/pandadad0214) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation, Automation, Business
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

Pay per event

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## SBIR/STTR Topic Radar: Open Topics, Deadlines & DoD Q\&A

> **SBIR/STTR topic search** on Apify: every open SBIR and STTR topic from every participating agency (DoD/DoW branches, NIH/HHS, NASA, NSF, DOE, USDA, DHS, DOT, ED, EPA, DOC...) in one table with full topic text, close date, days left, topic number, official solicitation link, and for DoD topics the Q\&A status and technical point of contact. **$0.003 per topic.** Apify's free plan includes $5 of monthly credit, enough for about 1,660 topics.

**Stop checking a dozen agency portals.** SBIR.gov's own JSON API has been down for maintenance since August 2026, so most SBIR tools only show past awards. Topic Radar reads the live SBIR.gov topic listings (all agencies) and the public DoD SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) topic search, normalizes them and hands you a sorted, deadline-first spreadsheet.

- 🎯 **Open topics you can still propose to**, sorted by close date, with **days left** colour-coded (red ≤14, amber ≤30)
- 🏛️ **All agencies**: DoD/DoW (Air Force, Army, Navy, DARPA, DTRA, MDA, SOCOM, SDA, OSD, CBD, DHA...), NIH/HHS, NASA, NSF, DOE, USDA, DHS, DOT, ED, EPA, NIST, NOAA
- 📄 **Full topic text**, topic and solicitation numbers, release/open/due dates and the **official solicitation link**
- 💬 **DoD extras**: topic Q\&A status, Q\&A end date, number of published questions and the technical point of contact (when DSIP publishes it)
- 🔎 Filters: keywords, agency/branch, SBIR vs STTR, close-date window; or switch to **closed topics** to see what an agency keeps asking for
- 📊 **Excel + CSV** with clickable links, search log and read-me sheets
- 💸 **$0.003 per topic returned.** 50 topics = $0.15. Searches with no results cost nothing. Topic pages and DSIP lookups are included.

### Who it's for

- **Small tech companies and founders** hunting for SBIR/STTR topics that fit their technology
- **SBIR consultants and proposal writers** building a weekly topic shortlist for clients
- **University tech-transfer offices** looking for STTR topics that need a research partner
- **BD and capture teams** tracking what DoD and civilian agencies are asking for

### How to use

1. Type **keywords** (e.g. `autonomous`, `battery`, `wound care`) or leave empty to list everything.
2. Optional: pick **agencies**, **program** (SBIR/STTR) and a **close-date window**.
3. Set **Maximum topics** (you pay per topic, so this caps cost) and click **Start**.
4. Download **TOPICS_XLSX** or **TOPICS_CSV** from the key-value store, or read the dataset via API.

#### Input example

```json
{ "keywords": "autonomous", "status": "open", "agencies": ["USAF", "NAVY"], "program": "any", "maxResults": 50 }
```

#### Output example (one row, trimmed)

```json
{
  "status": "Open", "daysLeft": 22, "closeDate": "2026-11-25",
  "title": "Cyber Resiliency for Fog and Edge Computing Devices",
  "agency": "DOD", "branch": "USAF", "program": "STTR",
  "topicNumber": "DAF27TZ01-DV002", "solicitationNumber": "27.TZ",
  "dodQaStatus": "IN_PROGRESS", "url": "https://www.sbir.gov/topics/...",
  "officialSolicitationUrl": "https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/"
}
```

### Use with AI agents (MCP)

Call it from Claude, Cursor or any MCP client through Apify's MCP server (`https://mcp.apify.com`, Actor `pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar`). Every row carries an `agentSummary` line and the run's `SUMMARY` record has a one-line `takeaway`.

Task examples:

- "List open Navy and Air Force SBIR topics on autonomy closing in the next 30 days, with points of contact."
- "Which open STTR topics mention batteries? I need a university partner."
- "Show closed NIH SBIR topics on digital health from the last solicitations so I can see the pattern."

### Pricing

Pay per result: **$0.003 per topic returned** (paid Apify plans get 10-30% off). No results, no charge. Set a maximum charge per run to cap spend.

### Next steps

- **Grants Finder** (https://apify.com/pandadad0214/grants-finder): Grants.gov opportunities plus past NIH/NSF awards for the same topic.
- **Researcher & Expert Finder** (https://apify.com/pandadad0214/researcher-expert-finder): find university partners for STTR topics.

### Notes and limits

- SBIR.gov copies agency solicitations and can lag the agency site. Always confirm deadlines and instructions on the official solicitation link.
- DoD Q\&A and point-of-contact fields come from DSIP and are filled only when DSIP publishes them.
- Public pages only, read politely (3 parallel requests). Not affiliated with or endorsed by SBA, SBIR.gov, DoD or any US government agency.

### FAQ

**Where does the data come from?** The public SBIR.gov topic listings for all agencies, plus the public DoD SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) topic search for DoD Q\&A and point-of-contact details.

**Does it show past awards?** No. It lists solicitation topics (open, or closed if you choose). For past awards on a topic, pair it with Grants Finder.

**How do I keep cost down?** Set **Maximum topics** and a maximum charge per run. Searches that return nothing are free.

**Can I schedule it?** Yes. Save a task with your keywords and agencies and run it weekly to catch newly released topics before they close.

**Can an AI agent use it?** Yes, through Apify's MCP server. Every row has an `agentSummary` line, so an agent can shortlist topics without parsing full topic text.

# Actor input Schema

## `keywords` (type: `string`):

Words to find in topic titles and text, e.g. autonomy, battery, machine learning, wound care. Leave empty to list every topic with the chosen status.

## `status` (type: `string`):

Open = topics you can still propose to. Closed = past topics, useful to see what an agency keeps asking for.

## `agencies` (type: `array`):

Optional agency or branch codes: DOD (all DoD/DoW), USAF, ARMY, NAVY, DARPA, DHA, DTRA, MDA, SOCOM, SDA, OSD, CBD, HHS, NIH, FDA, CDC, NASA, NSF, DOE, USDA, NIFA, DHS, DOT, ED, EPA, DOC, NIST, NOAA, DOI, NRC. Empty = all agencies.

## `program` (type: `string`):

Topics tagged for both programs are kept either way.

## `closeDateFrom` (type: `string`):

Optional, e.g. 2026-12 or 2026-12-15.

## `closeDateTo` (type: `string`):

Optional, e.g. 2027-03-31.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

You pay per topic returned, so this also caps the cost. 1 to 1,000; default 50.

## `includeDetails` (type: `boolean`):

Adds topic number, solicitation number, branch, due dates, full description and the official solicitation link (one extra page per topic, no extra charge).

## `includeDodQa` (type: `boolean`):

For DoD/DoW topics, looks the topic up on the DoD SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) and adds Q\&A status, Q\&A end date, published-question count and the technical point of contact when published. Needs 'Read full topic pages'.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "keywords": "autonomous",
  "status": "open",
  "agencies": [
    "NAVY",
    "NASA"
  ],
  "program": "any",
  "maxResults": 50,
  "includeDetails": true,
  "includeDodQa": true
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `table` (type: `string`):

No description

## `xlsx` (type: `string`):

No description

## `csv` (type: `string`):

No description

## `summary` (type: `string`):

Run-level summary record. Agent-friendly keys: `takeaway` (one-line result) and `nextStep`/`nextSteps` (suggested follow-on tool).

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "keywords": "autonomous"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "keywords": "autonomous" }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "keywords": "autonomous"
}' |
apify call pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,pandadad0214/sbir-sttr-topic-radar"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/P7JJTaq34jscnl8Ig/builds/W7OABUE4swYhHy94S/openapi.json