Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R41/R42 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 U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) interested in research and development activities aligned with NIH missions. Applicants must be first-time principal investigators (PIs) transitioning into entrepreneurship with research capabilities matching NIH priorities. Key personnel must include an industry mentor with committed effort on the project. Funding supports Phase I and Fast-Track STTR grants combining R&D, entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and career development activities.
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Key dates
- May 27, 2026 Applications open
- Jan 5, 2027 Application deadline in 172 days
- Jun 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the participating Institutes, Centers and Offices, intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite eligible United States small business concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I, and Fast-Track grant applications for the Small Business Transition Grant. Through this NOFO, NIH will support early-career scientists transitioning to entrepreneurship. In addition to funding research and development efforts at the SBC, a major component of this NOFO is entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and career development of the PD/PI.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop responsive projects, including identification of complementary industry mentors and career development resources. This NOFO will utilize the R41/R42 activity code. United States small businesses that have the research capabilities and technological expertise to contribute to the R&D mission(s) of the NIH awarding components identified in this NOFO are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. This opportunity is available to first-time Principal Investigators, and key personnel must include a mentor with measurable effort committed to the project.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 Application form
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Biosketches (PD/PI and key personnel, including mentor)
- Resource Sharing Plan
- Letters of Commitment from mentor and industry partners
Program contact
- 👤 NIH SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development) Office of Extramural Research (OER)
- 📧 SEEDinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-827-8595
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.837 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$238,898,122
-
$137,304,316
-
$117,298,604
-
$100,148,361
-
$90,428,339
-
$88,304,328
-
$83,989,552
-
$83,865,426
-
$64,483,725
-
$64,342,479
Top States by Funding
- MD 6 awards $470.1M
- NY 9 awards $442.1M
- MA 4 awards $301.0M
- CA 6 awards $201.9M
- WI 3 awards $147.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.837). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,654,455,334 | |
| 2025 | $1,690,039,433 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
U.S. small business concerns with first-time PIs transitioning to entrepreneurship. Key personnel must include a mentor with measurable effort.
What is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is January 5, 2027. Applications are not currently being solicited; this is advance notice.
What activities does this grant fund?
Research and development efforts, entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and career development of the principal investigator at the SBC.
What makes a competitive application?
Clear alignment with NIH research missions, strong industry mentor involvement, robust career development plan, and feasible R&D objectives for Phase I/Fast-Track scope.
What is the funding range?
Specific award amounts are not specified in this NOFO. Contact the relevant NIH Institute or Center for typical Phase I and Fast-Track STTR funding levels.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Identify an industry mentor with real expertise before submitting. Mentorship commitment is required, not optional.
- Align your R&D project clearly to your target NIH Institute or Center's research priorities and mission.
- Balance your technical proposal with a strong entrepreneurial development and commercialization strategy.
- Start developing your industry partnerships and mentor relationships now—the notice is advance notice for planning.
- Ensure your first-time PI status and transition-to-entrepreneurship narrative are clearly documented and compelling.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to secure a committed industry mentor before submission. Proposing R&D too ambitious for Phase I scope or misaligned with target NIH institute priorities. Weak or underdeveloped entrepreneurial training and commercialization plan alongside technical research.
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