Resources for Small Business Awardees

NIA small business funding is more than money — it comes with technical assistance in business development, opportunities for entrepreneurship training, access to data and animal models, and connections to experts that can help your company succeed.

Featured Resource

Business Plan Assessment

This pilot program features interactive sessions to guide Phase I awardees in developing their baseline business plan and an initial pitch. Using a customizable and flexible methodology, participants will learn about the key elements of a business plan, assess their company’s current business plan, and identify areas for further development under the guidance of an NIA Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Participants will also learn how to formulate an effective pitch based on their business plan. Contact the NIA Small Business Programs team to discuss participating in this pilot program.

Commercialization Resources

The NIA Small Business Programs team is ready to support your commercialization journey. From business development guidance to market research, discover all that we can offer awardees:

Diversity Supplement Funding
Entrepreneur-in-Residence Support
Technical and Business Assistance Program
I-Corps™ at NIH Program (Phase I only)
C3i Program
Virtual Workshops

Diversity Supplement Funding

Funds are available for administrative supplements to improve the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting and supporting students, postdoctoral fellows, and eligible investigators from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research or in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This supplement opportunity is also available to program directors/principal investigators of research grants who have or develop a disability and need additional support to accommodate their disability so that they can continue to work on the research project. Administrative supplements must support work within the scope of the original project.

Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) Support

Innovator support from EIRs is a free business resource for small business awardees seeking assistance to achieve commercialization milestones. Learn more about how NIA’s EIRs can help your company succeed.

Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) Funding

All applicants can request additional funding for assistance in making better technical decisions, solving technical problems, minimizing risks, and developing and commercializing new products. TABA supports companies in areas critical to success in the competitive health care marketplace, such as access to technologies or support on product sales, intellectual property protections, market research, and planning.

Phase I awardees: Request a free TABA Needs Assessment Report. The report provides a third-party, unbiased assessment of your progress by RTI Innovation Advisors. Requests are considered on a monthly basis to ensure that companies receive timely guidance. Learn more about the report and eligibility.

All awardees: NIA encourages applicants to request TABA funds at the time of application; administrative supplements for TABA funding do not count toward the budget limit. Requests should be made under “F. Other Direct Costs, lines 8-10” and labeled “Technical and Business Assistance” on the budget.

Phase I has a cap of $6,500 per year.
Phase II has a cap of $50,000 for the life of the project.

Companies that did not request Phase II TABA funding at the time of application can contact Rajesh Kumar to discuss adding a supplement or connecting with NIA’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, who can advise on ways to meet your business and product development needs.

Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) at NIH Program

Phase I Awardees Only: This entrepreneurship immersion course is a hands-on, real-world training designed to turn scientists into entrepreneurs. Phase I awardee teams spend eight weeks outside the lab, learning to succeed in business through intensive in-person and online courses, mentoring, networking, and market research. Graduates are prepared to focus their business plans, reach their potential customers, and effectively demonstrate the value of their innovation. In addition to training, I-Corps provides up to $55,000 to cover direct program costs.

C3i Program

This 24-week entrepreneurial training course is designed to provide medical device innovators with specialized business frameworks and essential tools for successful translation of biomedical technologies from the lab to the market. Through this program, NIH fosters the development and commercialization of early-stage biomedical technologies by engaging investigators who are interested in better understanding the value of their innovation in addressing an unmet market need. The curriculum and customized mentoring are intended to guide investigators as they assess the commercial viability and potential business opportunity for their innovation.

Virtual Workshops

NIA virtual workshops support the success of small businesses aiming to commercialize innovative technologies and products that address healthy aging and aging-related diseases and conditions. The Entrepreneur Workshop Series and Age-Tech Workshop offer a deeper dive into crucial aspects of the commercialization journey, from opportunity assessment to pitching and promoting your company. And don’t miss our upcoming events — join us in both conversation and community!

Research Resources

NIA makes the following data and animal model resources available to academic researchers and small businesses: