NCCIH Research Blog

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, also known as America's Seed Fund, are one of the largest sources of early-stage capital for technology commercialization in the United States.

NCCIH offers competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high-quality research related to important scientific problems and funding opportunities that could lead to significant public benefits. The program stimulates technological innovations in the private sector and strengthens the role of Federal research and development in support of small businesses.

The small business program also fosters and encourages participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses. These programs allow U.S.-owned and -operated small businesses to engage in Federal research and development that has a strong potential for commercialization.

Got Ideas for Innovative Technological Research?
In my new role as NCCIH SBIR/STTR program director, I would like to highlight funding opportunities for small businesses and connect with you to discuss your innovative ideas.

Recently, we reissued NCCIH-specific and Omnibus (Parent) grant opportunities. This 2018 issuance also implements the new NIH clinical trials policy and FORMS-E transition.

At NCCIH, we encourage innovative research and development of technology with commercialization potential to enhance the science, usefulness, and/or safety of complementary and integrative health approaches. Your application may include basic, preclinical, and/or early-phase clinical studies. The topic areas of interest to NCCIH include mind and body approaches, general tool/technology development, and natural products. You can view examples of research topics of interest to NCCIH (and topics of less interest) online.

Deciding to Apply for a Grant From NIH?
Applying for a small business grant can be a daunting task. We are here to help you identify a funding opportunity announcement that might be a good fit for your research idea.

Q: Are you proposing to develop and/or validate devices or electronic systems to monitor or enhance mind and body interventions? Then you might use the NCCIH-specific opportunities below:

• PAS-18-120: Development and/or Validation of Devices or Electronic Systems to Monitor or Enhance Mind and Body Interventions (SBIR R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional)
• PAS-18-121: Development and/or Validation of Devices or Electronic Systems to Monitor or Enhance Mind and Body Interventions (STTR R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional)

Q: Are you proposing innovative technological research related to natural products chemistry? Then you might use the NCCIH-specific opportunities below:

• PA-18-607: Methods Development in Natural Products Chemistry (SBIR R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PA-18-682: Methods Development in Natural Products Chemistry (STTR R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Q: Are you proposing innovative technological research related to other NCCIH topics of interest? Then you might use these Omnibus (Parent) grant solicitations:

• PA-18-574: PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PA-18-575: PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PA-18-573: PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required)
• PA-18-576: PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Required)

Q: Not sure if your project meets the definition of a “clinical trial”?

• View the NIH definition of a clinical trial
• Try this decision tree to determine if your project is a clinical trial

You can find helpful information from the NIH SBIR/STTR office at: seed.nih.gov. Most importantly, I look forward to discussing your research ideas or grant application!

Update (September 2018): please view our new SBIR/STTR page.

Merav Sabri, Ph.D.
NCCIH SBIR/STTR Program Director
Email: merav.sabri@nih.gov

For general SBIR/STTR questions, please contact:
Anastasia Solis
Email: anastasia.solis@nih.gov