NIH Institute, Center, and Office (ICO) Funding Considerations for Small Business

NCATS supports research including, but not limited to, clinical technology, instruments, devices, and related methodologies that may have broad application to clinical research and better patient care. Our interests are in four main categories- (1) Preclinical Drug Discovery and Development; (2) Biomedical, Clinical and Health Research Informatics; (3) Clinical, Dissemination and Implementation Research and (4) Rare Diseases and Unmet Needs.
 

• NCATS accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NCATS accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

NCATS-SBIRSTTR
[email protected]
 

The NCCIH will support applications on the development of technologies and therapies relevant to complementary and integrative approaches. Complementary health approaches include a broad range of practices and interventions that can be classified by their primary therapeutic input, including nutritional and natural products (e.g., special diets, dietary supplements, botanicals, probiotics, and microbial-based therapies), psychological (e.g., meditation, hypnosis, music-based interventions, relaxation therapies), physical (e.g., acupuncture, massage, chiropractic manipulation, other force-based manipulations, or devices related to these approaches), or a combination of psychological and physical (e.g., yoga, tai chi, or some forms of art therapies, such as music-based interventions) input. Additionally, NCCIH will support applications that explore the impact of complementary and integrative health approaches on health promotion, resilience, and whole person health. Overall, NCCIH will support applications that include complementary and integrative health approaches, including multicomponent interventions that combine two or more complementary and integrative health approaches, or one or more complementary approaches integrated with one or more conventional care interventions. 

• NCCIH accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NCCIH accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs

Name: NCCIH DER Funding Questions

Email: [email protected] 

NCI supports the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by engaging domestic small business concerns in federal cancer research and development that has the potential for commercialization. 

• NCI accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NCI accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NCI accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NCI accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NCI accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program

NCI SBIR Development Center

[email protected]

NEI supports research including, but not limited to, the following:

• Commercializable research and clinical innovations in ophthalmology and vision sciences
• Commercializable therapeutics including drugs, biologics, devices, or combination therapeutics that prevent or reduce blindness or improve ocular health
•  Market-ready technologies and diagnostic tools for predicting, identifying, or monitoring eye diseases and vision-related conditions
• Commercializable devices and services that assist people with blindness or visual impairments to improve quality of life Commercial-grade devices and support services that help individuals with blindness or vision impairments to improve and enhance their daily living experience
• Market-ready technologies that correct, enhance, or augment human vision

• NEI accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NEI accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NEI accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NEI accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NEI accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program
• NEI accepts clinical trials through the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP)

NEI Extramural Research 

[email protected]

• Significant innovations in genomic methods or technology development. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements in nucleic acid sequencing, synthetic nucleic acid synthesis, functional genomics, single cell genomic analysis, transcriptomics, multi-omics, instrumentation, or molecular kits. 
• Tools and techniques that use genomics to improve patient health, such as approaches to incorporate genomic results into electronic medical records, clinical decision support tools, or genomic directed health care. 
• Strategies to enhance ethical, legal, and social aspects of genomics research or translation of genomics into health care. 
• Bioinformatics software or platforms for genomic, genetic, or sequence data processing or analysis, functional genomics, associations between genomic data and diseases or phenotypes, interpretation of variants, or genomic data integration into clinical decision making. 
• Databases and data management platforms for genomics research and application including platforms for sequence, functional, or phenotypic data or annotation of variants. 
• Development and application of methods for machine learning, pattern detection, or knowledge networks for genomics science or translation into health care. 
• Informatics methods and platforms that adopt data standards, enhance data sharing with privacy, and improve data exchange in genomics science or translation of genomics into health care. 
• Use of cloud and other computing models to improve scale, reproducibility, interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and utility of genomic and clinical data in genomics or translation into health care. 
• Development of curriculum and educational opportunities that increase the genomics knowledge of participants at the undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, graduate, postdoctoral, or professional levels. 

• NHGRI accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NHGRI accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NHGRI accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs

NHGRI Small Business

[email protected]

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is interested in supporting the development of novel therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, digital health technologies, research tools, and other innovative solutions for advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) diseases and disorders. 

Topics of particular interest for the NHLBI SBIR/STTR program include, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

• Technologies addressing HLBS complications relevant to maternal health and women’s health  
• Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HLBS diseases and disorders 
• Precision medicine approaches to treating HLBS diseases and disorders 
• New approach methodologies, tools, and point-of-care technologies to improve detection and therapeutic development for HLBS diseases and disorders 

• NHLBI accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NHLBI accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NHLBI accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NHLBI accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NHLBI accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program

[email protected] 

The NIAID Small Business portfolio supports product development and commercialization in the areas of: 

• The immune system, microbe biology, and host-microbe interactions, 
• Diagnostic and prevention strategies 
• Treatment and cure strategies 

• NIAID accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NIAID accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NIAID accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIAID accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program

NIAID Small Business Team

[email protected]

The NIAMS small business program supports research and development of products and services for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic, musculoskeletal and skin diseases. The research topics include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Rheumatic Diseases.  The NIAMS supports research on rheumatic and related diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), Lyme arthritis, viral arthritis, gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD), spondyloarthropathies, and systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic scleroderma (SSc), and autoimmune myositis. 
2. Musculoskeletal Diseases.  The musculoskeletal system is composed of the skeleton, the muscles, and connective tissues such as cartilage, tendon, and ligament. The NIAMS supports research aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system and its component tissues. The topics in this area include research on musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, muscular dystrophy, and osteogenesis imperfecta; tissue engineered products; orthopedic devices and implants; and sports medicine and fitness.   
3. Skin Diseases. The NIAMS supports research on chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, rosacea, acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis; autoimmune skin diseases such as pemphigus, vitiligo, and alopecia areata; skin repair and regeneration in treatment of chronic wounds and reducing scar formation; and skin cancer prevention such as products preventing skin cancer in early-stage development.

• NIAMS accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

NIAMS does not accept clinical trials through any SBIR/STTR programs.

• Program Contact:  
  Email: [email protected] 
   
• Grants Management Contact:
  Email: [email protected]  

The NIBIB Small Business Program aims to translate cutting edge technologies into commercial products to address critical healthcare challenges. Through grants and contracts, the program supports the development of innovative biomedical technologies that improve human health. Areas of interest span biomedical imaging, medical devices, health informatics, diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, and related innovations at the intersection of biology and engineering. Projects should demonstrate strong commercial potential while addressing significant unmet clinical needs in biomedical imaging and bioengineering.

Specific program guidance includes:

• Technologies may be demonstrated using a specific indication or model system, but the core innovation must be broadly applicable without significant reengineering. 
• Applications fall outside NIBIB's mission if the primary focus is
  • developing technologies to elucidate basic biological functions or disease mechanisms, or
  • applying and testing previously developed tools or technologies.
• Per NOT-EB-21-005, NIBIB only supports early-stage clinical trials, i.e., feasibility, Phase I, first-in-human, safety, or other small clinical trials, that inform technology development. NIBIB will not support applications with efficacy, effectiveness, or a post-market concern as an outcome.
• NIBIB may modify or decline funding applications for budgetary, administrative, or programmatic reasons. This includes reducing budgets, shortening award periods, or choosing not to fund applications.
• Awardees are strongly encouraged to contact NIBIB's Small Business Team about the Concept to Clinic: Commercializing Innovation (C3i) Program, a mentored, entrepreneurial training course that provides innovators with essential business tools to assess the commercial viability and potential business opportunity for their product.

• NIBIB accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NIBIB accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIBIB accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs

NIBIB Small Business Team

[email protected]
 

NICHD supports research that includes, but not limited to the following:

• Reproductive health, including fertility, conception, contraception, and pregnancy
• Health of women before, during, and after pregnancy, and fetal development and infant survival
• Typical and atypical development and growth in children and adolescents, including experiences of trauma and critical illness 
• Gynecologic health and disease; safe and effective therapeutics and devices for children and pregnant and lactating women; dynamics of human populations across the lifespan
• Optimizing function in people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities

• NICHD accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NICHD accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NICHD accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NICHD accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NICHD accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program
• NICHD accepts clinical trials through the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP)

NICHD Small Business Program

Email: [email protected]

NIDA supports research toward the development of innovative products, services, or technologies with strong commercial potential including, but not limited to, those preventing, diagnosing, mitigating, and treating substance use disorders.

• NIDA accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIDA accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs

Office of Translational Initiatives and Program Innovations (OTIPI)

[email protected]

NIDCD supports research including, but not limited to, the following:  

• Novel technologies for studying, diagnosing, and treating hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disorders.  
• Novel diagnostic tools for testing human chemosensory function throughout the lifespan. 
• Novel technologies for studying, diagnosing, and treating voice, speech, and language disorders such as laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia), phonotrauma, stuttering, dysarthria, developmental language disorders, and aphasia.   
• Innovative in vivo imaging capabilities that significantly advance visualization, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders in the clinic.  
• Novel systems of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals with motor speech impairment, including a brain-computer interface (BCI) prosthesis for communication. 
• Novel assessments and interventions for late talking children or minimally verbal/ non-speaking individuals. 
• Novel applications of machine learning / artificial intelligence algorithms in hearing aids, cochlear implants, AAC devices, or for the analysis of voice, speech, and language. 

• NIDCD accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NIDCD accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIDCD accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NIDCD accepts clinical trials through the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP)

NIDCD SEED

Email: [email protected]

NIDCR supports small business–led development of technologies and products that translate dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research into clinically actionable solutions across the lifespan. Emphasis is on feasibility, validation, regulatory readiness, and commercialization. Projects should align with NIDCR’s goal to rapidly translate oral health innovations toward clinical impact. Early engagement with program staff is encouraged to ensure alignment with mission and priorities. Scientific areas of interest include: 

• Targeted DOC diagnostics and therapeutic platforms for tooth-related diseases and periodontal/peri-implant conditions
• Orofacial pain assessment and management technologies, including clinical decision support
• Oral microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutic platforms for polymicrobial diseases
• AI/ML-enabled predictive health and clinical decision support tools for DOC care
• Advanced dental materials, restorative technologies, and digital manufacturing systems
• Regenerative medicine technologies for craniofacial and dental tissue reconstruction
• Immunomodulatory and precision therapeutic delivery systems for oral and craniofacial conditions
• Digital behavioral and monitoring tools targeting DOC outcomes
• Real-world evidence and patient outcome data platforms to support clinical adoption, evidence generation, and downstream coverage considerations
• Implementation and dissemination technologies for priority-population oral health interventions
• Integrated oral–systemic health assessment and intervention platforms
• Regulatory and commercialization readiness tooling to support evidence generation, usability, and market adoption

• NIDCR accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

Small Business Program

[email protected]

NIDDK is interested in projects that include robust timelines for commercialization, requisite fundraising, and all required regulatory milestones.

For those projects intended to support completion of research needed for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), or other regulatory clearance or approval, NIDDK is interested in projects that demonstrate how formal consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed the research strategy.

NIDDK is interested in Phase IIB and Commercialization Readiness Pilot projects that propose to continue the process of developing products that ultimately require clinical evaluation and approval by a Federal regulatory agency, and that position the projects for independence from NIH support after the project period. 

• NIDDK accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NIDDK accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NIDDK accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIDDK accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program

Program Contacts:

• Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
  Email: [email protected]
• Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
  Email: [email protected]
• Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
  Email: [email protected]

Grants Management Contact

• Grants Management Branch
  Email: [email protected]

NIGMS supports the development of technologies to address complex and interdisciplinary research questions in i) basic research, ii) clinical areas that impact multiple organs systems and iii) biomedical workforce development/training through educational activities, that may require additional resources.

• NIGMS accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NIGMS accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NIGMS accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIGMS accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NIGMS accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program
• NIGMS accepts clinical trials through the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP)

NIGMS Small Business Program
[email protected]

NIGMS Grants Administration Branch
[email protected]

To advance its mission, NIMH supports small businesses to develop technologies, including, but not limited to, the following: 

• Neurotechnology development to enhance research on brain structure and function 
• Central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery/development for treating mental disorders – novel drug screening assays, novel compounds and drug targets; Research & Development (R&D) ranging from compound synthesis up to early stage clinical trials 
• Novel brain modulation methods/devices as potential therapeutics 
• Biological markers for CNS dysregulation/function and mental illness - objective, measurable biological indicators of physiological or disease processes to further assess replicability, reproducibility, stability, etc. at the subject level 
• Digital health technologies – as interventions or service delivery tools, to augment clinical care, and/or to enhance clinical research, and clinical trial design/implementation at the subject/patient level 
• Technologies addressing basic, behavioral, and implementation science related to people living with HIV – including all areas listed above 

• NIMH accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects
• NIMH accepts Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) projects

• NIMH accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NIMH accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs
• NIMH accepts clinical trials through the Phase IIB SBIR program
• NIMH accepts clinical trials through the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP)

NIMH Small Business Research Programs

[email protected]  

The NLM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program supports the development of biomedical informatics tools and methods which are best disseminated through commercialization.

The program aims to encourage small businesses to develop innovative technologies, tools, methods, and software platforms that advance:

• Trustworthy, reproducible, and rigorous biomedical AI
• Biomedical data infrastructure at scale
• Sustainable biomedical reference resources and platform science
• Market innovative human-centered use and impact informed biomedical informatics tools and methods

Applications which utilize, integrate, or build upon data, resources, and tools fostered by NLM and NIH supported communities are encouraged. 

• NLM accepts clinical trials through the SBIR programs
• NLM accepts clinical trials through the STTR programs

NLM Extramural Programs

[email protected] 

ORIP supports research projects to develop technology including, but not limited to, the following: 

• Create, characterize, or improve models of human disease; and develop new approach methodologies (NAMs) to complement or reduce the use of animal models in research. 
• Preservation, revival and monitoring of cells, tissue, organs or gametes from model systems. 
• Validate research models to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of pre-clinical studies. 
• Devices and technologies required for development and maintenance of conventional and NAM biological model systems, including those for advancing the care, welfare, housing, and management of these models; or sensor and monitoring technologies for the surveillance of models or environmental factors that lead to improved rigor and reproducibility for studies using these models.

• ORIP accepts Phase IIB SBIR projects

General Inquiries:

ORIP Small Business

[email protected]