NIH Applicant Assistance Program for Small Businesses

NIA is one of the eight NIH Institutes participating in the NIH Applicant Assistance Program (AAP), a 10-week coaching program designed to assist small businesses in preparing a Phase I application for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Through AAP, companies can receive the following at no cost:

• Needs assessment/mentoring
• Assistance with required registrations
• Application preparation support
• Application review

AAP is designed to help increase participation by underrepresented small businesses, especially women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged companies.

Learn more about AAP on the Inside NIA blog.

Key Dates

The program is offered once per funding period, roughly three months before standard due dates.

• Submission Portal opens: April 25, 2023
• Submission Portal closes: May 22, 2023, 5 p.m. ET
• NIH AAP Outreach Webinar: April 25, 2023, 2–3:30 p.m. ET
• NIH AAP Q&A Webinar: May 16, 2023, 2–3:30 p.m. ET
• Applications due: May 22, 2023, 5 p.m. ET

Eligibility

AAP is open to current and future small businesses and entrepreneurs developing innovative technology ideas for health care. Eligible AAP applicants have never received a small business grant award from NIH or received an award prior to 2010. Applicants must be planning to apply for a Phase I SBIR (R43) or STTR (R41) grant. Direct-to-Phase II and Fast-Track applicants are not eligible for AAP.

Companies interested in submitting an application for NIA SBIR/STTR funding following participation in AAP should have ideas aligned with NIA’s research topics. Participating small businesses are still required to put together their SBIR/STTR application and required documentation. Review examples of successful applications from funded companies.