Human Genome Research – Small Business

As a leading authority in the field of genomics, the mission of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is to accelerate scientific and medical breakthroughs that improve human health by driving cutting-edge research, developing new technologies, and studying the impact of genomics on society.

Congress initially established NHGRI to characterize the structure and function of the human genome, including the mapping and sequencing of individual genes. This also includes reviewing and funding genomics research proposals, coordinating international genome research, communicating advances in genome science to the public, and reviewing and funding proposals to address the ethical and legal issues associated with this research.

NHGRI participates in the NIH effort to turn discovery into health by helping small businesses develop innovative genomics technologies that improve health and save lives through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. These funding opportunities increase small business participation in Federal research and development and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions, support technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions, increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development, and encourage participation of small business in technological innovation.

Universities, colleges, medical, dental and nursing schools, schools of public health, laboratories, hospitals, State and local health departments, other public or private institutions, both nonprofit and for-profit, and/or individuals.
SBIR/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 Designations State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Individual/Family, Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals) at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6 months' duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process. Phase II grants are for the continuation of research initiated in Phase I and which are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II support. STTR Phase I grants (normally of 1-year duration) are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I and scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of Phase II application.
In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. or its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.
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. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Any additional requirements are described at the NOFO level.

Only applications submitted in response to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be considered for funding. Each application is scientifically reviewed by subject matter experts, with competing applications going through initial peer review and secondary review by an advisory council. All scored applications compete for available funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit, program relevance, program balance among aras of research, and availability of funds. Awards are issued throughout the year by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

Contact NIH staff using information at the NOFO level with any questions.

SBIR and STTR Solicitations may be obtained electronically through the NIH "Small business Funding Opportunities" homepage at: https://sbir.nih.gov/

From submission to award of funds: about six to nine months.