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This material is for informational purposes only.
NIH Small Business Grant Support: Overview
This material is for informational purposes only.
SBIR/STTR Programs
ORIP seeks to increase small business participation in federally supported research and development as well as the private-sector commercialization of technology developed with federal support. The office achieves this through the federal government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
ORIP has prepared a 
fact sheet(1.08 MB) for those seeking more information about its SBIR/STTR programs.
SBIR (R43/R44) grants support domestic small businesses engaging in research and development that has the potential for commercialization. Phase I, which uses the R43 funding mechanism, typically offers up to $150,000 for six months. Phase II, which uses the R44 funding mechanism, typically offers up to $1 million for two years. These award amounts and durations are guidelines that can be exceeded with appropriate justification. See SBIR funding opportunities.
STTR (R41/R42) grants also support innovative research that results in commercial products or services that benefit the public. Funding applicants must have a formal research partnerships with universities or other non-profit research institutions. Phase I, which uses the R41 funding mechanism, typically offers up to $150,000 for one year. Phase II, which uses the R42 mechanism, typically offers up to $1 million for two years. These award amounts and durations are guidelines that can be exceeded with appropriate justification. See STTR funding opportunities.
The SBIR and STTR programs have three application periods each year. Application deadlines for these periods are January 5, April 5, and September 5.
There are significant differences between the SBIR and STTR programs. For detailed information, see the program descriptions on the NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities website.
SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance Programs
To help small businesses with SBIR/STTR funding move their products into the marketplace, NIH offers the following programs providing technical and commercialization assistance. Read more.
Niche Assessment Program (NAP)
This program for Phase I awardees assesses if there are other applications or niches for the SBIR/STTR-developed technology and evaluates the market opportunities, needs and concerns of the end-users, and helps to discover new markets for possible entry (NAP details).
Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP)
This program for Phase II awardees provides assistance with developing and implementing an appropriate business strategy that will help commercialize the products that have resulted from federally funded SBIR/STTR research projects (CAP details).