The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) encourages submission of quality grant applications for the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program which requires the Public Health Service (PHS) and other Federal agencies to set aside a specific portion of their research budget for grants to small businesses.
Purpose
The purpose of the STTR program is to: 1) stimulate scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development (R&D) carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; 2) foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; 3) increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and 4) foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.
Funding Available
The STTR program is mandated by the Congress of the United States, and the funding level is specified by Federal law (Public Law 102-564). Approximately $1.1 million, representing 0.30 percent of the NIAAA' s extramural research budget, was set aside for the STTR program in fiscal year 2007.
Eligibility
Only small businesses which meet the definition provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) (see NIH Omnibus Solicitation) are eligible for grant support under this program. The principal investigator must have a formal appointment with or commitment to the applicant organization (small business concern), which is characterized by an official relationship between the organization and that individual. Such a relationship does not necessarily involve a salary or other form of remuneration. Thus, investigators with full-time academic appointments, under certain circumstances, could be principal investigators for a small business concern.
Features of Program
The STTR Program is based on three successive phases. The objective of Phase I grants is to establish the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort and the quality of the performance of the small business concern, prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. Guidelines for Phase I awards are $100,000 total costs (direct cost, indirect cost, fixed fee) for a period normally not to exceed one year. Not less than 40 percent of the work must be performed by the small business concern, and not less than 30 percent of the work must be performed by the research institution. The objective of Phase II is to continue the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on the results of Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II application. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding. Guidelines for Awards for Phase II are $500,000 total costs for a period normally not to exceed 2 years; i.e., a two-year Phase II project does not usuallycost more than $500,000 for the entire project. The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is for the small business concern to pursue with non-STTR funds the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phases I and II.
Applications Invited
Since this is a grant program, small businesses may submit an application in any area that is pertinent to NIAAA's mission and which meets the purposes and guidelines of the program. The NIAAA is devoted to increasing knowledge and understanding of the causes, consequences, nature and methods for prevention of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and developing new or improved methods for the treatment and rehabilitation of affected persons.
More detailed information about the STTR program and application instructions are available in the Omnibus Grant Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health Small Business Technology Transfer Program.
The receipt dates for applications are December 5, and April 5, and August 5.
NIAAA program contact:
Q. Max Guo, Ph.D.
Program Director
Division of Metabolism and Health Effects
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2021
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
Tel: (301) 443-0639
Fax: (301) 594-0673
E-mail: qmguo@mail.nih.gov
Updated: June 5, 2007