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NIA Small Business Funding Opportunities

NIA participates in a broad range of funding opportunities, research and development (R&D) programs, and technical assistance that address innovations in healthy aging as well as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD).

This page lists opportunities that are currently open for new submissions, as well as details about a select set of expired announcements. Contact the NIA Small Business Programs team to determine whether your project is a good fit for NIA.

Applications are submitted in response to a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). The detailed description of each NOFO, including how to submit the award, is outlined at the linked webpage. Unless otherwise indicated in the NOFO, the following funding levels are typically available:

SBIR NOFOs:

  • Phase I
  • Phase II
  • Fast-Track
  • Direct to Phase II
  • Phase IIB

STTR NOFOs:

  • Phase I
  • Phase II
  • Fast-Track
  • Phase IIB

More on the goal of each funding level can be found on the About NIA Small Business Funding webpage.

Already an awardee? Explore our resources and innovator support programs.

NIA SBIR and STTR Opportunities Targeting AD/ADRD

This type of funding announcement supports investigator-initiated small business research projects focused on developing a variety of AD/ADRD-related innovations.

Title

Links

Key Details

Advancing Research on AD and ADRD

Clinical trial optional
  • Standard due dates: January 5, April 5, September 5
  • Budget limits: Phase I $500,000; Phase II $2.5 million; Phase IIB $3 million
  • NIA contact: Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns

NIA SBIR and STTR Omnibus Funding

This funding opportunity supports investigator-initiated small business research projects focused on a broad range of general aging-related innovations that align with NIA’s research priorities. Projects focused on AD may have the best fit in AD-specific opportunities.

Title

Links

Key Details

Current NIH SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitation

Clinical trial required
  • Standard due dates: January 5, April 5, September 5
  • Budget limits: Phase I $400,000; Phase II $2.25 million; Phase IIB $3 million
  • NIA contact: Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns

2023 NIH SBIR/STTR Omnibus Solicitation

Clinical trial not allowed
  • Standard due dates: January 5, April 5, September 5
  • Budget limits: Phase I $400,000; Phase II $2.25 million; Phase IIB $3 million
  • NIA contact: Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns

More Omnibus Funding Information

NIH SBIR Contracts Funding

NIA participates in the annual NIH SBIR contracts solicitation, which aims to spur development of specific R&D innovations that address key priorities. In 2024, NIA has requested proposals for one topic. Learn more about SBIR contracts and 2024 NIA topics.

Title Links Key Details
2024 NIH SBIR Contracts Solicitation PHS-2024-1

NIH Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program

This program supports Phase II and Phase IIB awardees seeking additional capital to advance toward commercialization. CRP offers technical assistance to help develop regulatory strategy and submissions to the U.S Food and Drug Administration and other agencies. CRP also supports manufacturing, replication of key studies, compliance activities, and other commercialization readiness research.

Title

Links

Key Details

CRP Technical Assistance and Late Stage Development

Clinical trial not allowed
  • Standard due dates: January 5, April 5, September 5
  • Budget limit: $2 million/year for 2 years ($3.94 million total)
  • NIA contact: Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns

CRP Technical Assistance and Late Stage Development

Clinical trial required
  • Standard due dates: January 5, April 5, September 5
  • Budget limit: $2 million/year for 2 years ($3.94 million total)
  • NIA contact: Michael-David A.R.R. Kerns

Other NIA Opportunities Relevant to Small Business

These NIA-supported opportunities do not award SBIR or STTR funding but may be relevant to small business and research entrepreneurs as other sources of support.

Title

Links

Key Details

Microphysiological Systems to Advance Precision Medicine for AD/ADRD Treatment and Prevention

Clinical trial not allowed
  • Letter of intent due: January 15, 2024
  • Due date: February 15, 2024
  • Budget limit: $2.5 million/year
  • NIA contact: Zane Martin
National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) & Gates Ventures AD/ADRD Digital Biomarker Pilot Program
  • Due date: January 19, 2024
  • Budget limit: up to $1 million in direct costs
  • NACC contact: naccmail@uw.edu
PREPARE: Pioneering Research for Early Prediction of Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias
a2 Pilot Awards: Non-dilutive funding for AI/tech + aging, including AD/ADRD

NIH Special Initiatives and Notices

NIA participates in the following mission-related special initiatives and funding opportunities led by other NIH Institutes, Offices, and Centers. A Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is written to stimulate grant-supported research in high-priority and high-opportunity areas of science. Investigators planning to submit an application in response to a NOSI are strongly encouraged to contact the NIA program officer listed on the notice.

Title

Links

Key Details

Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities

Clinical trial optional
  • Standard due dates: March 24, September 6
  • Budget limits: Phase I $500,000; Phase II $2.5 million; Phase IIB $3 million
  • NIA contact: Joy Toliver

HEAL Initiative: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management

Clinical trial not allowed

Notice of Special Interest: Small Business Digital Technologies for Early Detection, Characterization and Monitoring of Senescence-Related Changes
Notice of Special Interest: SBIR Technology Transfer

Clinical trial not allowed

NIH Administrative Supplements

Funded awardees can access additional NIA support via administrative supplements.

Title

Links

Key Details

Promoting Diversity in SBIR/STTR

Clinical trial not allowed
  • Due dates: Rolling submissions
  • Budget limit: $250,000 in direct costs
  • NIA contact: Armineh Ghazarian

Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Address Unexpected Costs

Clinical trial optional
  • Due dates: Rolling submissions
  • Budget limit: $250,000 in direct costs
  • NIA contact: Armineh Ghazarian

Select Expired NIA Funding Opportunities

NIA REDI: Entrepreneurial Development Funding

NIA’s Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI) funding opportunities support entrepreneurial development for early-career scientists working in the fields of aging and aging-related diseases, including AD. Learn more about REDI.

SBIR Contracts Solicitation

NIA began participating in the annual NIH SBIR contracts solicitation in fiscal year 2022. These funding opportunities aim to spur development of specific innovations that address key Institute priorities. Learn more about past NIA SBIR contract topics.

NIA Healthy Aging Start-Up Challenge and Bootcamp to Foster Diversity and Accelerate Innovation

NIA launched this Challenge in spring 2022 to stimulate innovation and foster diversity in aging research and development by providing cash prizes and non-cash prizes that will help participants overcome barriers to participating in life sciences entrepreneurship, particularly for researchers with a demonstrated need who have innovative ideas for science-driven technologies and products. Learn more about the Challenge.

Ready to apply?

Return to the NIA Small Business Main Page.

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