Environmental Health Sciences – SBIR-STTR

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
CFDA 93.ESS Active Grant

Program Objective

The mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is to research how the environment affects biological systems across the lifespan and to translate this knowledge to reduce disease and promote health. Environmental exposures considered range from chemical, physical, and biologically derived (non-pathogenic) factors humans are exposed to through inhalation, ingestion, or ocular or dermal contact, individually or as mixtures.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Small Business Person
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • Not-for-Profit Organization
  • For-Profit Organization

SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and
operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more
than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator
must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project.
In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. STTR
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 in which research is proposed and have
no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and
development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and
at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be
performed in the U.S. and its possessions.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Applications selected for funding undergo programmatic and policy review prior to award as described in the NOFO.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: > 180 Days
Program details & compliance

Description

NIEHS SBIR/STTR grants help small businesses develop innovative and commercially viable products or technologies to translate and communicate environmental health research to improve public health. The SBIR/STTR program uses a combination of research, technology transfer, and communication strategies to aid the mission of NIEHS. Research and training areas include:
• Exposure assessment tools such as sensors and computational tools and methods
• Tools for evaluating environmental health and safety of engineered nanomaterials
• Bio-monitoring technologies and biological response markers of exposure and response
• Assays and model systems for screening compounds for toxicity
• Intervention technologies to prevent or reduce exposures to environmental stressors
• Educational materials to support understanding of environmental health science

Mission Categories

Primary: General Health and Medical

Required Documentation

Each applicant for research projects must present a research plan and furnish evidence that scientific competence, facilities, equipment, and supplies are appropriate to carry out the plan. The cost principles for awards under this program are set forth in HHS regulations at 45 CFR 75, Subpart E and Appendix IX (hospitals) to Part 75. Commercial organizations are subject to the cost principles located at 48 CFR 31.2 Federal Acquisition Regulation. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement (NIH GPS) for further guidance on the applicability of cost principals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/index.htm).

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Determined at Time of Award
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

David Balshaw, Ph.D.
9842873234
530 Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-01-28. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:40:06.