Small Business Funding

Now is the time! NIA's small business programs offer up to $1.5 million in no-strings-attached funding

If you run a small business, are thinking of starting a small business, or have an idea focused on Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer’s-related dementias (AD/ADRD) that has a commercial side, then this blog is for you! Whether your focus is therapeutic drug development, systems of care, effects on families, or something else, there are opportunities for you through our small business research and development programs – known as SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer Research).

BSR seeks wins in a new arena: AD/ADRD

March Madness—a time for bracket busting and bragging rights, Cinderella stories and unexpected outcomes. And, so it goes in NIA-supported research, too! We in the Division of Behavioral and Social Research have been developing our game in new directions—funding more research in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD).

Beginnings: Our first steps in making awards in FY 2018

The new fiscal year started on October 1, and we began it with hope in our hearts for continued good news on our budget. Our increased appropriations in FY 2017 allowed us our most generous funding lines in our general allocation in many years, along with a positive windfall for research in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Still, we started the year again on a now-familiar continuing resolution, which holds our current funding to the FY 2017 level—at least until December 22.

The final stop on this line

Small smiles of satisfaction spread around the staff in my office last week. The NIH Guide published the last of our long-running saga of funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s-related dementias (ADRD). These were the concepts that the National Advisory Council on Aging approved last September (Thank you again, everyone!).

New possibilities for research training, small business research

The mighty push for research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias continues at NIA. While an earlier blog highlighted the research initiatives we have published, this chapter covers the more recent publication of two training initiatives and four small business-related initiatives.

Where the rubber meets the road: Small businesses and Alzheimer's research

If we hope to translate what we are learning about Alzheimer’s disease into health, safety, and emotional well-being benefits for Alzheimer’s patients and their families, then small businesses have a vital role in making that happen. The NIA recently published two funding opportunity announcements for small businesses focused on Alzheimer’s disease. One targets the Small Business Innovative Research program and the other the Small Business Technology Transfer program. Both have an initial submission date approaching rapidly—April 5. And if peer reviewers smile upon your application, you can even receive funding before the end of September this year.

Supporting diversity and innovation: Meet the NIA Start-Up Challenge winners

Meet the winners of the inaugural NIA Healthy Aging Start-Up Challenge and get ready to submit ideas for the 2023 Challenge by April 20!

Entrepreneurial challenge to build diversity and innovation

The Healthy Aging Start-Up Challenge and Bootcamp to Foster Diversity and Accelerate Innovation will selected up to 20 finalists for a four-month entrepreneurial bootcamp and a chance at a $60,000 cash prize.

Supporting early-career entrepreneurial development through small business funding

NIA’s Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI) program helps participants gain essential business skills for success within and outside of academic research.

Beyond grants: Resources and other support for small businesses addressing aging

Attention entreprenurs: did you know that NIA has funding opportunities specifically available to small businesses developing products to improve human health? Learn how the OSBR can help grow your ideas and innovations!