Forecast to Publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Small Business Transition Grant For Early Career Scientists (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), with National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support early-career academic scientists interested in transitioning to entrepreneurship while also supporting the transfer of technology from academic laboratories into small businesses. Both small businesses and universities are drivers of technological innovation in the United States (U.S.), often working together to advance innovative ideas into products that can benefit the U.S. population. While most NIH funding supports basic research in university laboratories, the NIH also supports innovative technology development in U.S. small businesses through its SBIR and STTR programs. As technologies transition from academic discovery to small businesses, two common challenges arise, identifying the right team with the right expertise to take the product into a small business, and funding for early-stage technology development. This NOFO seeks to address both challenges simultaneously by having two equally important goals: entrepreneurial mentoring support, and product development support. 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 R41/R42 activity code. The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2025 with an anticipated application due date in Fall 2025.

Fiscal year 2025: Examples of research supported by NHGRI in FY 2025 include characterization of genes, sequencing, databases, and projects on the following list: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/KP6XtPborUWv7kYNeFlJSA/projects?shared=true Fiscal year 2026: Current projects supported by NHGRI include basic genomic science; functional and clinical variation; genomic medicine; technology development; computational genomics and data science; training programs; conferences; databases; determining the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of biomedical and behavioral research; as well as projects on the following list: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/PbojAWqEZ0aySDrGRZXHTg/projects?shared=true

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? (2) Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? (3) Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or method? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? (4) Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? (5) Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? (6) the appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to the proposed research; (7) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives; (8) the adequacy of plans to include both...

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; 2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...