Forecast to Publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity for SBIR Phase IIB Bridge Awards to Accelerate the Development of Cancer-Relevant Technologies Toward Commercialization (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 small business concerns (SBCs) that previously received SBIR or STTR Phase II funding from any Federal agency. Applicants must have completed Phase II development and be ready to transition toward commercialization. The project must address cancer-relevant technologies. Partnerships with third-party investors or strategic partners are strongly encouraged to fund the capital-intensive commercialization stage.
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Key dates
- Jun 16, 2025 Applications open
- Oct 30, 2025 Application deadline
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) applications from small business concerns (SBCs) that seek additional funding to support the next stage of development for cancer-relevant projects that were previously funded under SBIR or STTR Phase II awards from any Federal agency. The purpose of this NOFO is to facilitate the transition of SBIR or STTR Phase II projects to the commercialization stage. This NOFO is expected to promote partnerships between Federally-funded SBIR or STTR Phase II awardees and third-party investors and/or strategic partners to facilitate and accelerate the capital-intensive steps that are required to commercialize new products and services. Applicants must submit a Commercialization Plan, which should include details on any independent third-party investor funding that has already been secured or is anticipated during the Phase IIB Bridge Award project period. It is expected that the level of this independent third-party funding will be equal to or greater than the NCI funds being requested throughout the Phase IIB Bridge Award project period. Proposed projects may address preclinical and/or clinical stages of technology development. Clinical trials may be proposed as appropriate but are not required.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the R44 activity code. The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2025 with an anticipated application due date in Fall 2025.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 (R&R) Supplement
- Project Narrative (proposal)
- Commercialization Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Prior Phase II Final Report
- Evidence of third-party investor commitments or letters of intent
Program contact
- 👤 Jonathan Franca-Koh, Ph.D., M.B.A. National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- 📧 francakohjc@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 240-618-0984
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.395 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$353,109,533
-
$226,323,195
-
$180,463,644
-
$148,820,579
-
$143,093,026
-
$125,672,442
-
$124,513,663
-
$112,462,142
-
$109,067,856
-
$104,790,648
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $871.7M
- PA 5 awards $513.3M
- NY 7 awards $462.6M
- MA 7 awards $282.7M
- IL 3 awards $274.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.395). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,298,551,504 | |
| 2025 | $1,414,965,434 | |
| 2026 est. | $926,626,977 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this Phase IIB Bridge Award?
Small business concerns that successfully completed an SBIR or STTR Phase II award from any Federal agency and have cancer-relevant technologies ready for commercialization.
When is the application deadline?
The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2025 with applications due in Fall 2025. The anticipated deadline is October 30, 2025.
What must I include in my application?
You must submit a detailed Commercialization Plan that documents third-party investor funding already secured or anticipated during the project period. This independent funding should equal or exceed the NCI funds requested.
Can I propose clinical trials?
Yes, clinical trials are permitted and the R44 activity code supports this. However, clinical trials are optional—preclinical development projects are also eligible.
How competitive are these awards?
Competitiveness depends on the strength of your commercialization plan and the amount of third-party investment leverage you bring. Strong investor partnerships significantly strengthen applications.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building investor partnerships now. Third-party funding equal to or exceeding NCI funds requested is essential for competitiveness.
- Document all previous Phase II work clearly. Reviewers need to understand your prior Federal funding, milestones achieved, and remaining commercialization barriers.
- Develop a detailed Commercialization Plan early. This should include timelines, target market analysis, regulatory pathway, and clear budget projections.
- Consider combining resources strategically. Leverage partners' expertise and capital to demonstrate feasibility and reduce perceived risk.
- Address cancer relevance explicitly. Clearly articulate how your technology addresses an unmet need in cancer diagnosis, treatment, or prevention.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the importance of third-party investor leverage. Applicants without matching independent funding face significant competitive disadvantages. Submitting weak commercialization plans that lack realistic timelines, market data, or clear paths to revenue. Failing to clearly connect the proposed Phase IIB work to commercial viability and regulatory milestones.
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