SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional)

Research
Funding Agency:
Funding Agency
National Institutes of Health
RFP# and Website:
RFP# and Website
PAR-27-098
Awards:
Awards

Total funding support (direct costs, indirect costs, fee) may not exceed the SBA budgetary limits for the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) program. Budget guidelines vary by participating component and may be lower than the SBA budgetary limits.
Anticipated Funding Amount:
Letter of Intent:
Letter of Intent
Not Required
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
Preliminary Proposal Deadline:
Full Proposal Submission Deadline:
Full Proposal Submission Deadline

September 05, 2026 *
Contacts:
Contacts

NIH SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development)
Telephone: 301-827- 8595 
Email: SEEDinfo@nih.gov
Description

Companion Funding Opportunity

PA-27-100 , R43/ R44 Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I/ Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II
PA-27-101 , R44 Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II
PA-27-102 , R41/ R42 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase I/ * Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase II

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs (also known as America's Seed Fund) are major sources of early-stage funding for U.S. technology development and commercialization. NIH SBIR and STTR awards support projects through multiple phases:

  • Phase I: Establish the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed R&D.
  • Phase II: Continue R&D to advance toward commercialization.

After Phase II, NIH expects small business concerns (SBCs) to fully commercialize the product or technology using non-SBIR/STTR funds (federal or non-federal). However, biomedical projects often need specialized studies or product development services (for example, market research) to commercialize or attract third-party investment. This additional work is often outsourced to contract research organizations (CROs).

Some NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) participate in the Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough program PA-27-101, which provides a second Phase II award to help bridge this gap, but those awards limit the amount of work that can be outsourced and require matching funds.

What this NOFO Supports

The Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) NOFO provides later-stage research and development and technical assistance to NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II recipients. The CRP program can support R&D that requires significant outsourcing and/or is needed during an active Phase II awards. This funding opportunity requires a prior (active or ended) NIH Phase II award. New SBIR Phase I and II grant applications should be submitted to PA-27-100 and STTR Phase I and II grant applications should be submitted to PA-27-102.

Phase II recipients that need significant R&D funding to bridge the gap between the SBIR or STTR Phase II award and commercialization should consider the Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough. See PA-27-101. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff prior to applying to help choose the best funding opportunity for their project.

Note: This NOFO accepts New "Type 1" Applications from recipients of NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II awards or an NIH SBIR or STTR Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough award. 

SBCs must meet the eligibility requirements in Section III.