Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations developing early-stage biomedical technologies ready for commercialization. Eligible applicants must be able to identify promising academic discoveries and establish entrepreneurship hubs supporting researchers through mentorship and product development resources. The program prioritizes technologies aligned with NIH's mission and expects applicants to build public-private partnerships and secure non-federal matching funding. Applications must demonstrate capacity to provide technical expertise in science, regulation, business, law, and project management to support technology commercialization.
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Key dates
- Jun 25, 2026 Applications open
- Nov 30, 2026 Application deadline in 137 days
- Apr 30, 2027 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including all of its Institutes and Centers, plans to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity inviting eligible colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for the NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program. The REACH program helps move promising biomedical discoveries from academic research into real-world products that can improve patient care and public health. Through this opportunity, NIH plans to fund five new academic entrepreneurship hubs. These hubs will support researchers by providing early-stage funding, technical and business resources, and mentorship in product development and commercialization. The hubs will focus on high-priority technologies that align with NIH’s mission. Together, the funded hubs will form a technology development consortium that will help:
- Identify the most promising academic biomedical technologies;
- Fund early product-development work, such as feasibility studies, prototypes, and proof-of-concept studies;
- Provide access to expertise in science, regulation, reimbursement, business, law, and project management; and
- Offer entrepreneurship training and hands-on commercialization experience.
Public-private partnerships and non-federal matching funding will be important to the program’s success. The five awardees will build on lessons learned from previous REACH hubs and support the goals of the Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership pilot program, as authorized by the 2011 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act (P.L. 112-81 Section 5127) and extended through fiscal year 2031 under the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (P.L. 119-83). The REACH program also supports federal research and development priorities, including preparing the 21st-century workforce, moving technologies from the lab to the marketplace, strengthening partnerships among government, industry, and academia, and addressing local health needs, particularly in medically underserved and/or rural areas.
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Application Form (SF-424 or equivalent)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Support from Industry Partners
- Hub Management Plan and Governance Structure
- Technology Portfolio Description
Program contact
- 👤 NIH SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development) Office
- 📧 nihreach@nih.gov
- 📞 301-827-8595
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$973,507,476
-
$383,462,829
-
$190,396,050
-
$179,737,926
-
$169,422,678
-
$167,922,818
-
$147,947,250
-
$143,679,156
-
$115,739,255
-
$91,722,927
Top States by Funding
- CA 3 awards $1,196.2M
- NC 4 awards $446.1M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $317.4M
- NY 4 awards $261.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,174,839,078 | |
| 2025 | $1,062,277,534 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,100,048 |
FAQ
Who can apply for REACH funding?
Colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations are eligible. Applicants should have capacity to establish academic entrepreneurship hubs and manage early-stage biomedical technology development.
What kind of projects are funded?
REACH supports feasibility studies, prototypes, and proof-of-concept studies for biomedical technologies. Awardees will provide early-stage funding and commercialization mentorship to researchers.
Is cost sharing required?
No mandatory federal cost sharing. However, public-private partnerships and non-federal matching funding are strongly encouraged for program success.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. Only five hubs will be funded nationally from this $5 million pool. Strong partnerships and clear commercialization pathways are essential.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 30, 2026. Applications are not yet being solicited; this is advance notice for planning purposes.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building public-private partnerships now. Industry engagement strengthens applications and demonstrates market viability.
- Identify a portfolio of promising early-stage biomedical technologies aligned with current NIH research priorities.
- Assemble a team with expertise spanning science, regulatory affairs, business development, and entrepreneurship training.
- Emphasize capacity to support researchers in underserved or rural areas; the program prioritizes local health needs.
- Plan for sustainability beyond the award period. Highlight how partnerships and revenue models support long-term hub operations.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Lack of meaningful industry partnerships. Applications without demonstrated public-private engagement and commitment rarely succeed. Unclear technology portfolio or commercialization pathway. Reviewers need to see which biomedical discoveries the hub will prioritize and realistic timelines to market. Underestimating management complexity. First-time hub operators often lack business development and regulatory expertise essential for technology translation.
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