Share an Idea

Sharing Your Idea is Easy!

STEP 1: Register

You will need to register and provide the following information:

• Email Address
• First and Last Name
• Country (optional)
• State (optional)

If you have previously registered, input your email address on the following page and a one-time login code (valid for 15min) will be sent to your email.

STEP 2: Tell Us About You and Your Idea

To share your idea, you will need to provide the following information:

• Who you are or who you represent (Options provided: Academia, Government Agency, Individual, Industry, International, Small Business, Other)
• Why you are submitting (Options are provided. If none are appropriate, you can provide 10 - 100 characters of additional text by selecting Other)
• A title for your idea (will be used for follow-up communication: 10 - 50 characters)

• If this an AFRL Regional Hub submission, begin idea title with "Regional Hub".

Pro-Tips for a Successful Submission

To ensure your idea receives a full and fair evaluation from our technical experts, keep these guidelines in mind as you answer the questions below:

Focus on Data, Not Marketing
Generic claims (e.g., “game-changing,” “highly efficient”) cannot be evaluated. You must include quantifiable metrics, test data, or scientific principles that back up your claims. Submissions lacking technical depth are typically rejected.

Protecting Your IP
We respect your Intellectual Property. Provide enough technical detail on how your technology performs and the scientific theory behind it so our experts can validate its merit. However, do not share unprotected trade secrets or proprietary blueprints. Focus on the mechanics, results, and capabilities.

Know Your Readiness
Clearly state your current stage of development, ideally using DoD Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). Tell us if this is a concept, a working prototype, or a commercially available product.

Target the Mission
Your idea has the highest chance of success if you can explicitly align it with a specific Air Force or Space Force Operational Imperative.

STEP 3: Describe Your Idea

Description of your idea by answering the following questions. Address additional prompts below each question when crafting your response.

1. What problem is this solving?
   • How does the proposed idea address a gap in the science and technology market?
   • Does the proposed idea meet a specific Air Force and/or Space Force identified need (review DAF Operational Imperatives here and include any alignment)?
2. Who experiences the problem?
   • Are you already working with the Department of the Air Force, an Air Force Research Laboratory organization, or an Air Force/Space Force subject matter expert? If so, who and what is the contract number?
   • Who in the Air Force and/or Space Force would benefit most from your idea? 
   • Who is using your solution now? (Commercial solution? Another DoD service?) 
3. How will you solve the problem?
   • What is the current stage of development? Please provide a technical, detailed explanation to include data if applicable.
   • What new manufacturing technology/approach or scientific principle are you leveraging? 
4. Why is this a better solution?
   • Outline key features or benefits that differentiate this proposed idea or concept from existing technology options and include data to support your claim. 
5. What difference will it make?
   • What are the quantifiable benefits?
   • How will success be measured? 

STEP 4: Disclosure & Submit

• Select a Disclosure Agreement

Before You Share

Before you share your idea, we encourage you to browse current Science and Technology opportunities and connect with us at an event.

What Happens Next

After you share your idea, you will get an auto-generated email confirming submission and receipt of your idea. Then, our Tech Connect Team reviews ALL submissions and connects you with open Science and Technology opportunities and/or Science and Technology technical experts for a technical evaluation. The Tech Connect Team will follow up after the evaluation and provide feedback within one week.