Start-Up Challenge

Learn more about the 2022 Challenge.

On this page:

• Pre-Submission Webinar
• About the Challenge
• Prizes
• Be a Challenge Mentor
• Important Dates
• How to Enter
• Judging Criteria
• Challenge Eligibility and Rules
• Statutory Authority to Conduct the Challenge
• For More Information

Webinar

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About the Challenge

Individuals from diverse backgrounds can provide unique and valuable contributions in the research and development of life science innovations that prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health. However, certain groups, such as women and individuals from racial/ethnic minoritized groups, remain underrepresented in the U.S. biomedical sciences and in life science entrepreneurship. Women represent just 12% of U.S. innovators and make up an even smaller proportion in STEM programs or among those working as scientists and engineers. An external analysis conducted in 2022 of NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants found persistently low levels of program participation from underrepresented groups. The analysis of NIH SBIR and STTR grants from 2001 to 2019 found that per fiscal year, an average of just 3.1% of grants were awarded to small businesses with an African American, Hispanic, or Latino principal investigator. Unique barriers identified as contributing to the systemic exclusion of underrepresented groups in life science entrepreneurship include a lack of access to funding, entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and connections within key industry networks.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Office of Strategic Extramural Programs (OSEP) has a strong commitment to fostering diversity in aging research-inspired entrepreneurship and in encouraging participation of underrepresented groups (as defined in NOT-OD-20-031) in the NIA SBIR/STTR programs. To support this commitment, NIA OSEP is hosting the 2023 NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator, in partnership with the NIA Office of Special Populations (OSP). The goal of this Challenge, the second of its kind offered by NIA, is to stimulate innovation and foster diversity in aging research and development by providing cash prizes and non-cash prizes, such as strategic resources provided through an accelerator program, that will help participants overcome barriers to participating in life science entrepreneurship. The Challenge also aims to enhance equity in the NIA SBIR/STTR programs as a means of furthering the congressional goal of the SBIR/STTR programs to foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and by women-owned small businesses, in technological innovation.

This Challenge invites submissions from researchers and entrepreneurs with a demonstrated need for entrepreneurial training and resources, who have innovative ideas for science-driven technologies and products that have the potential to increase the diversity of NIA-funded small business research and development. Proposals may demonstrate a high impact on diversity by addressing a gap in NIA-funded small business research and development, by addressing a unique need of older adults from minority and/or medically underserved areas/populations (as defined by the Health Resources & Services Administration [HRSA]), or by being led by an individual or team of individuals who possess a background or unique life experience that can bring a diverse perspective to aging-related research and development. NIA strongly encourages submissions from researchers and entrepreneurs from groups underrepresented in the U.S. biomedical sciences and in life science entrepreneurship. NIA has a special interest in proposals for tools, technologies, and products aimed to improve the health and quality of life of older adults in minority and underserved populations, as outlined in the NIA Health Disparities Objectives. Submissions that are addressing health disparities should reference the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework to facilitate identifying and proposing tools, technologies, and products that reflect the life course perspective or theory, as well as relevant levels of analysis among the different domains described in the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.

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Prizes

NIH will award cash prizes and non-cash prizes (such as entrepreneurial coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities) as follows:

Amount of the Prize

NIH will award cash prizes and non-cash prizes as follows:

Stage 1

Up to 20 Stage 1 finalists will be selected from the initial pool of submissions. Each Stage 1 finalist will be awarded the opportunity to participate in a five-month accelerator program at no cost to the finalists. The accelerator program will provide resources that address unique needs and barriers faced by individuals who are seeking to develop science-driven aging innovations and to whom the NIA SBIR/STTR program could be especially critical to support their early-stage research, development, and commercialization activities. These resources include entrepreneurial coaching and workshops, mentorship, grant application skill building, peer-to-peer networking, and access to key industry networks, each of which have been identified as areas of need to foster success in the diverse research entrepreneur community.

Stage 1 finalists are expected to commit four to six hours per week to participate in the accelerator program. To provide maximum flexibility for participants, the five-month accelerator program will be mostly virtual except for one or two in-person networking events (travel costs paid by NIH for at least one finalist per team).

Stage 2

Up to six winners will be selected from the Stage 1 finalist pool to receive up to $60,000 each.

The cash prize and non-cash prizes — including networking, mentorship, and skills gained through the accelerator program — may be vital to launch or grow the participant’s start-up and execute activities that can improve a future NIA SBIR or STTR research proposal; for example, testing the premise of the research idea, generating preliminary data, developing or improving a prototype, or building an experienced team.

Note: While Stage 1 participants are provided grant application skill-building resources, it is important to note that NIA has a variety of resources to help entrepreneurs apply for NIA grants, whether they participate in the Challenge or not, such as the NIH Applicant Assistance Program. Grant application technical assistance is not solely available to Stage 1 Challenge participants. Learn more about NIA resources.

Additionally, while NIA hopes that the Challenge will encourage growth of diversity in the NIA SBIR/STTR applicant pool, and that the cash and non-cash prizes will further the development of a successful SBIR/STTR grant application, Challenge participation or selection as a winner does not guarantee that NIA or any other NIH component will award grant funding to support the research proposal. All grant applications, including those that are developed as a result of this Challenge, are still subject to competition, peer review, and all other grant application and award requirements.

Payment of the Prize

Prizes awarded under this competition will be paid by electronic funds transfer and may be subject to federal income taxes. HHS/NIH will comply with the Internal Revenue Service withholding and reporting requirements, where applicable.

Award Approving Official

The Award Approving Official will be Richard J. Hodes, M.D., NIA Director.

NIH/NIA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (a) cancel, suspend, and/or modify this prize competition, or any part of it, for any reason; and/or (b) not award any prizes if no submissions are deemed worthy.

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Be a Challenge Mentor

NIA seeks passionate entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors who are excited to coach a group of diverse, emerging entrepreneurs as they pursue start-up ideas in the field of healthy aging. NIA is looking for two types of volunteers: 1:1 mentors available for regular virtual meetings with Challenge finalists as well as advisors who could be available occasionally to offer advice and counsel on key topics. Mentors will engage with Challenge participants from approximately August 2023 through January 2024.

Interested volunteers can sign up by May 6, 2023. If you have questions about becoming a Challenge mentor, contact Jamie Lahvic, PhD.

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Important Dates

• Challenge Launch: February 2023
• Registration and Submission Period Begins: February 2023
• Registration and Submission Period Ends: April 20, 2023
• Stage 1 Finalists Announced: July 2023
• Stage 1 Accelerator Program: July–December 2023
• Final Submission and Pitch Due: December 2023
• Stage 2 Winners Announced: February 2024

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How to Enter

Registration and Submission Process

The registration and submission period for this Challenge will open in February 2023. To register and submit, complete this form to enter a submission by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET on April 20, 2023. Do not include any confidential or proprietary information in your submission materials. By submitting materials in response to this Challenge, you are agreeing to allow NIA to publish all or parts of your submission materials on the NIA website. (See the Rules section for additional information.)

To be competitive in this Challenge, eligible submitter(s) must include the following in their submission materials:

1. The submitter(s) must demonstrate a need for the Challenge prize and entrepreneurial resources that will be available through the Challenge, and
2. The submitter(s) must propose an innovative idea for a science-driven technology or product that aligns with the NIA small business research priorities. NIA has a special interest in proposals for tools, technologies, and products aimed to improve the health and quality of life older adults in minority and underserved populations, as outlined in the NIA Health Disparities Objectives and that reflect the key domains and levels of analysis illustrated in the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.

As the goal of this Challenge is to foster diversity in aging research and innovation, NIA strongly encourages submissions from underrepresented populations (as defined in NOT-OD-20-031), which includes individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis.

For Teams

Each participating Team is required to identify a Team Lead who will register and submit on behalf of the Team members. The Team Lead is responsible for all communications with the Challenge sponsors and, in the event of winning a cash prize, will be paid the prize in full. To be eligible to receive a cash prize, the Team Lead must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. In the event that a dispute regarding the identity of the Team Lead who actually submitted the entry cannot be resolved to NIH’s satisfaction, the affected submission will be deemed ineligible.

For Entities

Each participating Entity is required to identify a Point of Contact who will register and submit on behalf of the Entity. The Point of Contact is responsible for all communications with the Challenge sponsors. In the event of winning a cash prize, the prize will be paid directly to the Entity, not to the Point of Contact. To be eligible to receive a cash prize, the Entity must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. As stated in the Participation Rules, submitters intending to use federal grant or cooperative agreement funds must register for and participate in the Challenge as an Entity on behalf of the awardee institution or organization. In the event that a dispute regarding the identity of the Point of Contact who actually submitted the entry cannot be resolved to NIH’s satisfaction, the affected submission will be deemed ineligible.

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Judging Criteria

Basis Upon Which Winners Will be Selected

All submissions received within the submission period will be reviewed by NIA for eligibility and programmatic relevance and given a preliminary evaluation and score by NIA staff. Submissions receiving an acceptable preliminary evaluation and score will move forward for technical review. Technical reviewers with expertise in aging research, life science entrepreneurship and investment, business development, and product development will individually evaluate and score submission materials based on the criteria outlined below. Technical reviewers will be comprised of experts from the federal government, academia, industry, and other sectors as deemed relevant. The evaluations from the technical reviewers will then be reviewed by a panel of federal employees serving as judges, who will provide a final evaluation and score of the submission materials and recommend the Challenge finalists and winners for approval by the Award Approving Official. All submissions that reach the technical review stage will receive a short summary of feedback on their submission within three months of the submission period end date. While the major rubric of the evaluation criteria for the finalists will remain the same for the winners, the emphasis will be on the prize impact on innovation advancement and diversity in aging research and innovation, as outlined in the criteria of evaluation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). HHS does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity).

Stage 1

The criteria of evaluation to select the Stage 1 finalists are as follows [100 points total]:

• Significance (0–10 points): To what degree does the technology or product address a significant unmet need in the older adult population?
• Innovation (0–10 points): How novel is the technology or product? What is the competitive advantage?
• Approach (0–10 points): To what extent is the scientific premise of the idea clearly described? Are the design and methods of the proposed R&D appropriate and reflective of the intent of the NIH Inclusion Policy? Are obvious problem areas addressed?
• Commercialization (0–10 points): How well is the commercial potential described? Is there a strong value proposition? Is there a clearly defined market for the proposed product? Is the company’s business strategy one that has a high potential for success?
• Innovator(s) (0–10 points): To what degree does the individual or team of individuals demonstrate a high level of commitment and collaboration? What level of relevant expertise does each person bring to the team? Are there significant gaps in expertise on the team, and what is the plan to fill those gaps? Will the team significantly benefit from the coaching and workshops provided in the Challenge?
• Challenge Impact on Innovator(s) (0–25 points): What level of need does the innovator(s) demonstrate for the coaching, mentoring, and workshops? Will participation significantly enhance the ability of the team members to further develop and ultimately commercialize the innovation?
• Challenge Impact on Diversity in Aging Research and Innovation (0–25 points): Will participation have the potential to increase the diversity of NIA-funded small business research and development in at least two of the following ways:
  • The technology or product addresses a gap in NIA-funded small business research and development. (Active NIA SBIR/STTR awards can be found in NIH RePORTER.)
  • The technology or product addresses a unique need of older adults from minority and/or medically underserved areas/populations (as defined by HRSA) in alignment with the NIA Health Disparities Objectives and incorporating the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.
  • The submitting individual or team of individuals possess a background and/or unique life experience that would bring a diverse perspective to aging-related research and development. Some examples include but are not limited to:
    • Experience being a caregiver for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s disease or AD-related dementia.
    • Research experience or training (aging or non-aging-related) which brings a complementary and/or diverse perspective to enhance aging-related research and development.
    • Individuals who have experienced and/or overcome unique challenges or barriers, which gives them a diverse perspective on aging-related research and development.
    • Individuals from populations underrepresented in U.S. biomedical research (as defined in NOT-OD-20-031) or medically underserved areas/populations (as defined by HRSA) who understand the unique needs of older adults in those communities, and based on this, can develop aging innovations that are accessible, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Stage 2

The Stage 2 review will be performed by a judging panel composed of NIA staff. The judging panel will collect and review the following materials to determine the Stage 2 winners:

• A mentor assessment, provided by the finalists’ mentors, highlighting their estimation of prize impact based on their technical expertise and their experience advising the finalist.
• A one-page document, provided by the finalist, outlining the potential prize impact on advancing their business and innovation, and on furthering NIA’s mission to improve the health and well-being of older adults from diverse populations.
• A seven-minute pitch video, provided by the finalist, addressing the potential of their technology and the strength of their team.

Finalists also must complete the following requirements to be eligible to compete for the Stage 2 cash prize:

• The finalist must form a company and be eligible to apply for an NIH SBIR/STTR grant.
• The finalist must meet with an NIH program officer to discuss the aims and objectives of a potential NIH SBIR/STTR grant proposal.

The evaluation criteria to select the Stage 2 winners consist of the following:

Review criteria for the mentor assessment and one-page document [45 points total]:

• Prize Impact on Innovation Advancement (0–30 points): Does the finalist present a clear and strong plan for how the prize funds will play a critical role in empowering the small business to accelerate the development of their innovation in ways including, but not limited to:
  • Expanding their team
  • Collecting of pilot data
  • Securing customers
  • Raising funds
• Prize Impact on Diversity in Aging Research and Innovation (0–15 points): If awarded, how does the innovation have the potential to increase the diversity of NIA-funded small business research and development? Do the documents outline at least one of the following:
  • How the technology or product addresses a gap in NIA-funded small business research and development. (Active NIA SBIR/STTR awards can be found in NIH RePORTER.)
  • How the technology or product addresses a unique need of aging adults from minority and/or medically underserved areas/populations (as defined by HRSA) in alignment with the NIA Health Disparities Objectives and incorporating the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework.
  • Considerations for how the technology can be developed, tested, and/or implemented in a way that improves access, usability, or usefulness for older adults from diverse backgrounds (gender, racial, geographic, socioeconomic, etc.; see NIH’s Notice on Diversity and Inclusion Policy).

Review criteria for the seven-minute pitch video [55 points total]:

• Significance (0–10 points): To what degree does the technology or product address a significant unmet need in the older adult population?
• Innovation (0–10 points): How novel is the technology or product? What is the competitive advantage?
• Approach (0–10 points): To what extent is the scientific premise of the idea clearly described? Are the design and methods of the proposed R&D appropriate and reflective of the intent of the NIH Inclusion Policy? Are obvious problem areas addressed?
• Commercialization (0–10 points): How well is the commercial potential described? Is there a strong value proposition? Is there a clearly defined market for the proposed product? Is the company’s business strategy one that has a high potential for success?
• Innovator(s) (0–10 points): To what degree does the individual or team of individuals demonstrate a high level of commitment and collaboration? What level of relevant expertise does each person bring to the team? Are there significant gaps in expertise on the team, and what is the plan to fill those gaps?
• Pitch Delivery (0–5 points): How clearly does the innovator(s) present the information, including verbal delivery and visual slides?

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Rules & Eligibility

Eligibility Rules

To be eligible to win a prize under this Challenge, an individual, team, or entity—

• Shall have registered to participate in the Challenge under the rules promulgated by NIH as published in this Announcement;
• Shall have complied with all the requirements set forth in this Announcement;
• May not be the principal investigator on an NIH SBIR/STTR award that is active at the time of the Challenge submission period end date;
• May not have been a finalist in previous versions of the NIA Start-Up Challenge;
• In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. However, non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents can participate as a member of a team that otherwise satisfies the eligibility criteria. Non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents are not eligible to win a monetary prize (in whole or in part). Their participation as part of a winning team, if applicable, may be recognized when the results are announced.
• May not be a federal entity or federal employee acting within the scope of their employment;
• May not be an employee of HHS (or any component of HHS) acting in their personal capacity;
• Who is employed by a federal agency or entity other than HHS (or any component of HHS) should consult with their agency Ethics Official to determine whether the federal ethics rules will limit or prohibit their participation in the Challenge or acceptance of the Challenge; and
• May not be a judge of the Challenge, or any other party involved with the design, production, execution, or distribution of the Challenge or the immediate family of such a party (i.e., spouse, parent, step-parent, child, or step-child).

Participation Rules

• By participating in this Challenge, each individual (whether competing singly or in a group) or entity certifies that they have either formed a U.S.-owned and -operated small business or intends to form a U.S.-owned and -operated small business during or at the conclusion of the Challenge that meets the eligibility requirements to apply for SBIR/STTR funding.
• An individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity shall not be deemed ineligible because the individual or entity used federal facilities or consulted with federal employees during the Challenge if the facilities and employees are made available to all individuals and entities participating in the Challenge on an equitable basis.
• An individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity may not use federal funds from a grant award or cooperative agreement to develop their Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of their Challenge submissions unless use of such funds is consistent with the purpose, terms, and conditions of the grant award or cooperative agreement. Participants intending to use federal grant or cooperative agreement funds must register for and participate in the Challenge as an Entity on behalf of the awardee institution, organization, or entity. If a participant uses federal grant or cooperative agreement funds and wins the Challenge, the prize must be treated as program income for purposes of the original grant or cooperative agreement in accordance with applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR § 200). Federal contractors may not use federal funds from a contract to develop their submissions or to fund efforts in support of their submission.
• Multiple entries from each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity are permitted. Each solution must be sufficiently novel and unique and not be a minor modification of a prior submission.
• By participating in this Challenge, each individual (whether competing singly or in a group) and entity agrees to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the federal government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from participation in this Challenge, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
• Based on the subject matter of the Challenge, the type of work that it will possibly require, as well as an analysis of the likelihood of any claims for death, bodily injury, property damage, or loss potentially resulting from Challenge participation, no individual (whether competing singly or in a group) or entity participating in the Challenge is required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility in order to participate in this Challenge.
• By participating in this Challenge, each individual (whether competing singly or in a group) and entity agrees to indemnify the federal government against third-party claims for damages arising from or related to Challenge activities.
• By participating in this Challenge, each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity warrants that they are the sole author or owner of, or has the right to use, any copyrightable works that the submission comprises, that the works are wholly original with the participant (or is an improved version of an existing work that the participant has sufficient rights to use and improve), and that the submission does not infringe upon any copyright or any other rights of any third party of which the participant is aware.
• By participating in this Challenge, each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) and each entity grants to NIH an irrevocable, paid-up, royalty-free nonexclusive worldwide license to reproduce, publish, post, link to, share, and display publicly (e.g., on websites) the submission and abstracts on the web or elsewhere, and a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable, paid-up license to practice, or have practiced for or on its behalf, the solution throughout the world. Each participant will retain all other intellectual property rights in their submissions, as applicable. To participate in the Challenge, each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity must warrant that there are no legal obstacles to providing the above-referenced nonexclusive licenses of their rights to the federal government. To receive a prize award, individuals (whether participating singly or in a group) or entities will not be required to transfer their intellectual property rights to NIH, but they must grant to the federal government the nonexclusive licenses recited herein.
• Each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity agrees to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• Each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity ensures that no confidential or proprietary material is submitted.
• Each individual (whether participating singly or in a group) or entity participating in this Challenge must comply with all terms and conditions of these rules, and participation in this Challenge constitutes each such participant’s full and unconditional agreement to abide by these rules. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements herein.

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Statutory Authority to Conduct the Challenge

The NIA is conducting this Challenge pursuant to authorities under the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010, 15 U.S.C. 3719. In addition, this Challenge is consistent with the mission of the NIA, as described in 42 U.S.C. 285e, to conduct and support biomedical, social, and behavioral research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the aging process and the diseases and other special problems and needs of the aged. This Challenge also aims to enhance equity in the NIA SBIR and STTR programs as a means to further the congressional goal of the SBIR and STTR programs under 15 U.S.C. 638 to foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and by women-owned small businesses, in technological innovation.

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For More Information

Contact Joy Toliver, M.P.H., NIA, or Joshua Hooks, Ph.D., NIA, via niastartupchallenge@nih.gov.