The NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional) supports United States small business concerns that partner with a nonprofit research institution to bring scientific innovations to the marketplace. Administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), this funding opportunity provides early-stage funding for research and development projects that align with the NIH mission to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. The STTR program, part of America's Seed Fund, is a major source of early-stage funding for U.S. technology development and commercialization.

Overview

This opportunity supports a small business in conducting the research and development needed to develop a commercial product in partnership with a nonprofit research institution, such as a university. STTR projects require a formal collaboration with a nonprofit research institution. The Program Director or Principal Investigator (PD/PI) may be employed with either the small business or the partnering nonprofit research institution, and the award is always made to the small business.

The STTR program supports projects through multiple phases:

• Phase I: Establish the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed research and development.
• Phase II: Continue research and development to advance toward commercialization.
• Direct to Phase II and Fast-Track options are also available under this notice.

After Phase II, small business concerns are expected to fully commercialize the product or technology using non-SBIR or non-STTR funds.

Eligibility

Only United States small business concerns (SBCs), as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA), are eligible to submit applications. Non-domestic entities, including foreign organizations and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations, are not eligible to apply. Each STTR project must include a formal collaboration with a nonprofit research institution, such as a university.

The award is always made to the small business, regardless of where the PD/PI is employed. For projects that do not depend on a collaboration with a nonprofit research institution, applicants may consider the SBIR funding opportunity (PA-27-100).

Deadline and Timeline

Applications are accepted by the following standard due dates, all due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization:

• September 05, 2026 — New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision (Scientific Merit Review: November 2026; Advisory Council Review: January 2027; Earliest Start Date: April 2027)
• January 05, 2027 — New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision (Scientific Merit Review: March 2027; Advisory Council Review: May 2027; Earliest Start Date: July 2027)
• April 05, 2027 — New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision (Scientific Merit Review: July 2027; Advisory Council Review: August 2027; Earliest Start Date: December 2027)

No late applications will be accepted. The expiration date for this funding opportunity is April 06, 2027. The open date (earliest submission date) is August 05, 2026.

Application Process

Applicants must follow the SBIR or STTR (B) Instructions in the How to Apply – Application Guide, except where instructed otherwise in this notice. Conformance to all requirements is required and strictly enforced. Applications that do not comply may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Submissions must be made through one of the following options:

• NIH ASSIST system — to prepare, submit, and track the application online.
• Institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution — to prepare and submit the application to Grants.gov and track it in eRA Commons.
• Grants.gov Workspace — to prepare and submit the application, with eRA Commons used for tracking.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff prior to applying to help choose the best funding opportunity for the project.

Contact Information

NIH SEED (Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development)
Email: SEEDinfo@nih.gov
Phone: 301-402-2541