It’s Official: NIH’s Small Business Program Is Back

Big news for innovators, founders, and R&D-driven small companies: NIH’s Seed Fund is back in action!  

On April 14, NIH’s Seed Fund (Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs) was reauthorized for the next five years. The reauthorization restores momentum, improves the programs, and reopens pathways for both new applicants and currently funded projects. 

Now, eligible U.S. small businesses are again able to pursue up to $1.4 billion in funding each year to power breakthrough science, build game-changing technologies, and move solutions toward real-world impact.  

NIH’s Seed Fund is a cornerstone of biomedical entrepreneurship in the U.S. The SBIR and STTR programs exist to help small businesses develop innovative technologies that improve health and save lives. They do it by supporting the kind of research, development, and validation that can be hard to fund elsewhere. And, these programs can be a pivotal growth lever whether you are an early-stage small business with a bold idea or an experienced company actively pushing toward commercialization. 

What You Should Know  

If you’ve been building toward a breakthrough, now is the moment to get organized, get registered, and get your plan in motion. We strongly encourage you to review the forecasted funding opportunities on Grants.gov. This is where you will find the new small business funding opportunities, updated to reflect changes in the reauthorized legislation.  

Many resources related to NIH’s small business programs are available on our NIH Grants and Funding website, including: 

• NIH Institute, Center, and Office (ICO) Funding Considerations for Small Business | Grants & Funding
• Eligibility basics
• SBIR vs. STTR info
• Guidance and resources for potential applicants 
• Sample applications  

These resources are very helpful for those new to NIH funding, and meant to reduce the time, effort, and potential confusion you may have about application and award processes. Starting early is more important than ever: late submissions of SBIR or STTR applications will not be accepted (see NOT-OD-26-064). 

Do you have your registrations? 

One of the most common preventable delays is paperwork - not science. Before you can apply, businesses must complete multiple registrations, and the process can take 6 weeks or more. If you’re thinking “I’ll handle that later,” consider this your friendly nudge: start early so you’re not racing the clock when the Notices of Funding Opportunity drop. 

Contact appropriate NIH program staff with questions  

NIH can also resume issuing noncompeting continuation (Type 5) awards. If you have an active project, please remember to speak with your Program Officer. NIH can move forward again with continuation funding for eligible ongoing work. 

Please stay tuned as additional information and resources are planned. We look forward to receiving groundbreaking and innovative research ideas from U.S. small businesses that have the potential to improve public health.