NIH Small Business Transition Grant: Funding for Postdoctoral Entrepreneurs

Grant Overview

Bridge the Gap from Academia to Industry with NIH SBIR/STTR Funding for Early-Career Scientists

Donor: National Institutes of Health (NIH), with participation from various Institutes and Centers (ICs) such as NCATS, NCCIH, NEI, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIA, NIAAA, NIAMS, NICHD, NIDA, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIDDK, NIEHS, NIGMS, NINR, NLM, and NIOSH (CDC).

About: The Small Business Transition Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) represents a pivotal opportunity for postdoctoral researchers aiming to move their innovative scientific work from the laboratory into the commercial sector. For many postdoctoral researchers, the path from the lab bench to the marketplace can feel impossibly steep. The NIH’s Small Business Transition Grant seems designed to bridge that very gap. It’s aimed squarely at scientists who are brilliant at their craft but haven’t yet had the chance to lead their own independent research, let alone navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. In essence, the program acts as a launchpad, providing not just the funds but also the essential mentorship to turn a promising line of inquiry into something commercially viable.

This isn’t just one monolithic grant, though. It’s actually a collection of four distinct funding opportunities (NOFOs), all built upon the well-established Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The right track for any given project really boils down to two fundamental questions: does the project involve a clinical trial, and does it fit the SBIR or STTR model? This setup offers a surprising amount of flexibility, covering everything from early-stage tech development to feasibility studies that might need to include human subjects. Figuring out where your project fits is probably the first major hurdle, and for many, it’s their initial real foray into the world of startup funding.

The four available tracks are:
– PAR-24-131: SBIR – Clinical Trial Not Allowed
– PAR-24-132: SBIR – Clinical Trial Required
– PAR-24-133: STTR – Clinical Trial Not Allowed
– PAR-24-134: STTR – Clinical Trial Required

Perhaps one of the most critical aspects of the Transition Grant is its heavy emphasis on mentorship. Applicants aren’t just expected to have a great idea; they’re required to identify mentors who can guide them through both the technical weeds and the often-unfamiliar terrain of commercialization. The program seems to operate on the very sound assumption that scientific brilliance doesn’t automatically translate to business acumen. This mentorship component is a vital piece of the support system.

By backing these early-career scientists, the NIH is making a deliberate investment in the future of health innovation. The hope, it appears, is to ensure that groundbreaking discoveries don’t just end up as citations in academic journals but actually make their way into the world as real applications. Preparing a compelling application is a significant undertaking, demanding a solid research concept, a clear plan for your own career development, and a strong mentorship team. It’s a lot to pull together, which is why services that offer professional business plan development or grant writing support, like the help we provide at Grantaura, can be instrumental. Our team can help articulate that vision and ensure the application meets the rigorous standards the NIH expects for SBIR and STTR proposals.

Focus: Research Commercialization, Biomedical Technology, Life Sciences, Healthcare Innovation, Postdoctoral Career Development, Entrepreneurship, SBIR, STTR, Technology Development

Region: United States

Eligibility:
– The primary applicant, the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI), must be an early-career scientist, such as a postdoctoral researcher.
– The PD/PI must not have previously served as the independent PD/PI on any major research grants (e.g., an R01).
– The PD/PI must be a U.S. Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident.
– The application must be submitted through a U.S.-based small business concern (SBC) that meets the SBA’s eligibility criteria.
— The SBC must be a for-profit entity organized for commercial purposes.
— It must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.
— At the time of award, the business must have 500 or fewer employees.
– A critical requirement is the inclusion of one or more mentors to guide the PD/PI in technical and business matters.
– The specific NIH Institute or Center (IC) must be participating in the chosen NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity).

Benefits:
– Phase I (STTR/SBIR): Funding to establish the technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed R&D efforts. Award amounts are typically up to $250,000 or more, depending on the participating NIH institute.
– Phase II (STTR/SBIR): Based on successful Phase I results, this phase provides further funding to continue R&D efforts. Awards can often exceed $1 million.
– Structured mentorship and career development support to transition from academia to entrepreneurship.

Deadline: September 5, 2025

Terms:
– NIH: National Institutes of Health, the primary U.S. agency responsible for biomedical and public health research.
– PD/PI: Program Director/Principal Investigator, the individual designated by the applicant organization to have the appropriate level of authority and responsibility for the proper conduct of the research.
– SBIR: Small Business Innovation Research, a U.S. government program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development that has the potential for commercialization.
– STTR: Small Business Technology Transfer, a sister program to SBIR that requires the small business to have a formal collaboration with a non-profit research institution.
– NOFO: Notice of Funding Opportunity, a formal announcement of the availability of federal grant funding.