Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that conduct research aligned with NIH and CDC missions. Applicants must be first-time Principal Investigators transitioning into entrepreneurship. Key personnel must include a mentor with committed effort to support career development. Businesses must have research capabilities and technological expertise relevant to the funding agency's R&D priorities.
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Key dates
- May 27, 2026 Applications open
- Jan 5, 2027 Application deadline in 172 days
- Jun 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the participating Institutes, Centers and Offices, intend to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I, and Fast-Track (NIH only) grant applications for the Small Business Transition Grant. Through this NOFO, NIH and CDC will support early-career scientists as they transition into entrepreneurship. In addition to funding research and development efforts at the SBC, a major component of this NOFO is entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and career development of the PD/PI.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop responsive projects, including identification of complementary industry mentors and career development resources. This NOFO will utilize the R43/R44 activity code. United States small businesses that have the research capabilities and technological expertise to contribute to the R&D mission(s) of the NIH and CDC awarding components identified in this NOFO are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. This opportunity is available to first-time Principal Investigators, and key personnel must include a mentor with measurable effort committed to the project.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 or SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Mentor Letter of Commitment
- Small Business Documentation (SBA registration or proof of status)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (PI and key personnel)
Program contact
- 👤 NIH SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development) Office of Extramural Research (OER)
- 📧 SEEDinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-827-8595
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.879 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$31,424,450
-
$21,310,613
-
$18,962,515
-
$18,266,443
-
$14,828,350
-
$14,642,836
-
$13,681,359
-
$13,351,995
-
$12,454,032
-
$11,107,283
Top States by Funding
- MA 9 awards $61.2M
- NY 12 awards $58.1M
- TN 3 awards $50.1M
- TX 4 awards $36.4M
- CA 9 awards $25.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.879). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $78,196,782 | |
| 2025 | $79,391,024 | |
| 2026 est. | $70,230,119 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S. small business concerns with research capabilities aligned to NIH/CDC missions. First-time PIs are prioritized, and a formal mentor is required on the team.
What is the deadline?
January 5, 2027. Applications are not yet being solicited; this is advance notice for planning purposes.
What activities are supported?
Research and development efforts plus entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and career development of the PI.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
Can I reapply if rejected?
Yes, rejected applicants may typically reapply in future funding cycles.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Identify a strong mentor with relevant expertise before drafting your proposal. Mentor commitment is critical to competitiveness.
- Emphasize your transition from researcher to entrepreneur and how the training component supports that goal.
- Align your R&D project directly to published NIH or CDC priority research areas.
- Document your small business status and research capabilities clearly in early sections.
- Begin building partnerships and identifying resources now; the NOFO is in advance notice phase.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to identify and commit a formal mentor early; this is a core requirement. Submitting R&D projects misaligned with the specific NIH/CDC component missions. Underestimating the entrepreneurship training and career development component as secondary.
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