Small Business Innovation Research/Technology Transfer Program
Through NIH’s SBIR/STTR program, NIMHD is proud to allocate grant funding for small businesses working with underserved communities on commercial efforts designed to empower health disparity communities to achieve health equity through health education, disease prevention, and community-based, problem-driven research, while creating jobs in their community:
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The NIH SBIR/STTR program is one of the largest early-stage life sciences investment programs open to a wide variety of applicants. NIMHD encourages entrepreneurs from all backgrounds with product ideas and concepts whose potential commercialization supports the NIH research mission to apply. Learn more: SBIR/STTR goals
Funding Opportunities
SBIR/STTR awards supported by NIMHD:
- PA-24-245: PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- PA-24-246: PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH and CDC for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required)
- PA-24-247: PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- PA-24-248: PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Required)
- PA-21-345: Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Small Businesses-SBIR/STTR (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Eligibility & Key Requirements
Only small businesses located and operating in the United States may apply for SBIR/STTR funding. A small business may not have more than 500 employees, including its affiliates. Details: SEED Small Business Program Basics
The NIMHD SBIR/STTR Program gives high priority to applications that target:
- NIH-designated populations experiencing health disparities
- NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan
- And commercially support the NIMHD Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework, which is an evolving conceptualization of factors relevant to research that addresses the complex, multi-faceted nature of minority health and health disparities.
SBIR/STTR Goals
- Encourage economic development by supporting small businesses that stimulate technological and service innovations to address health equity challenges faced by NIH populations experiencing health disparities.
- Strengthen the role and involvement of small business in meeting federal research and development needs and implementing research that addresses challenges faced by health disparities populations.
- Invest in early-stage private sector concepts that foster innovations and create jobs through commercializing and implementing federal research and development.
- Foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and woman-owned businesses in the SBIR/STTR program.
Budget & Timelines
The budget guidelines are the same for both programs, and individual NIH Institutes and Centers set their own budget limits. For NIMHD applications:
Phase I
Phase II
Go to Small Business Program Phases details
We recognize that some biomedical innovations require additional funding to reach the marketplace. For those topics, the NIH has a waiver from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to allow larger awards. See the list of SBA approved waiver eligible topics.
Applicants for NIMHD SBIR/STTR funds are strongly encouraged to contact a program official prior to submitting any application in excess of the total award amounts listed above and early in the application planning process.
Page updated July 16, 2024
