National Cancer Institute Research – Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer

The overarching objective is to support Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by engaging domestic small business concerns in federal cancer research and development that has the potential for commercialization.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To expand and improve the SBIR program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

SBIR Grants:
SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns—entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field of the proposed research, and have no more than 500 employees. The principal investigator (PI) must have primary employment (more than half-time) with the small business at the time of the award and for the duration of the project. For both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the United States or its possessions. Applications are eligible for funding only if they are approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

STTR Grants:
STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns that partner with a U.S. research institution for cooperative research and development. The small business must perform at least 40% of the project, and the research institution must perform at least 30%. The research must be conducted in the United States or its possessions. Unlike SBIR, the PI does not need to be primarily employed by the small business. Applications must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council to be eligible for funding.

All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and if they are recommended for further consideration, by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.