NIH awards grants under the Small Business Technology Transfer Program for research or R&D of new technologies and methodologies that have the potential to succeed as commercial products. This support is provided to small business concerns in collaboration with U.S. research institutions because innovative technologies and methodologies fuel progress in biomedical and behavioral research and represent an increasingly important area of the economy.
The applicant organization must be the small business concern, which must perform at least 40 percent of the project. At least 30 percent of the project is to be performed by the college, university, or other research institution.
The STTR Program consists of three phases:
Phase I (R41) determines the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort and the quality of performance of the small business concern, prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. Awards normally are for $100,000 (for direct costs, indirect costs, and fixed fee) and usually do not exceed 1 year.
Phase II (R42) continues the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, which generally does not exceed $500,000 (for direct costs, indirect costs, and fixed fee) for a period of 2 years. These levels are guidelines, and under special circumstances applicants may propose greater amounts of funds and longer periods of time for completion of the project.
The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is to pursue with non-STTR funds the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phase I and Phase II.
Application forms and additional information are available on the Small Business Funding Opportunities Web site. To discuss NIGMS program interests, call Dr. Matthew Portnoy at 301-594-0943.
List of NIGMS funding announcements (program announcements, requests for applications, and notices) for the SBIR and STTR Programs