Judging Criteria and Prizes
Criteria Used to Select Winners
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?
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.