NCCIH Research Blog

News Flash: Applicant Assistance Program

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Applicant Assistance Program (AAP) is a customized coaching program to help small businesses apply for Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. Businesses selected participate at no cost. Applications for the next cohort are due by December 10, 2020. Informational webinars will be held November 12 and December 9, 2020, and more AAP program details are online. 

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has a continuing interest in projects that develop and/or validate devices or electronic systems to monitor or enhance mind and body interventions. Many scientists and small businesses have asked me about funding mechanisms after funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) PAS-18-120 and PAS-18-121 expired. I’m happy to announce that on October 23, NCCIH reissued two small business-related FOAs in a Notice of Special Interest (NOSI), “Development and/or Validation of Devices or Electronic Systems to Monitor or Enhance Mind and Body Interventions,” number NOT-AT-21-001. 

For the purposes of this NOSI, mind and body interventions are nonpharmacologic approaches that include mind/brain-focused interventions (e.g., meditation, mindfulness, hypnosis, art, and music); combined mind and body treatment (e.g., acupuncture, massage, and spinal manipulation or mobilization); or meditative movement practices (e.g., yoga, tai chi, and qi gong).

This NOSI will support small business concerns studying devices or electronic systems that can monitor biologically or behaviorally based processes applicable to mind and body interventions, or that can optimize the practice or increase the efficacy of those interventions. 

Applications should: 

• Lead to the development of new technologies;
• Adapt existing innovative technologies, devices, and/or electronic systems;
• Repurpose existing devices and electronic systems; or 
• Conduct testing of single or combined components of an integrated, long-term, automated, wearable stimulation device or electronic system to monitor or enhance the mechanistic processes or functional outcomes of mind and body interventions. 

If you are interested in applying, I recommend you read a recent blog post about NOSIs, including important tips on their use to apply for grants. To submit an application to NOT-AT-21-001, use one of the SBIR or STTR Omnibus (Parent) Solicitations listed in the NOSI. Note: You must enter the NOSI number (NOT-AT-21-001) in Box 4b of the SF424 (R&R) form. 

We’re excited to hear about your ideas. Please reach out to NCCIH staff early to determine whether your concept aligns well with the Center’s current priority areas or to ask any questions. 

More Resources

• NCCIH SBIR/STTR and NIH SBIR/STTR web portals

• NCCIH SBIR Listserv: Join to receive updates about the Center’s SBIR/STTR program.