Message From NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator ... Funding Opportunities

[CC-Conrad Clyburn-MedForeSight]

Colleagues,

For U.S. members of MedTechIQ, a very useful message from Jo Anne Goodnight | NIH (National Institutes of Health) SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research)/STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Program Coordinator; Director, Division of Special Programs ...

ENJOY!

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Dear Small Business Research Community,

As you are aware, on February 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). As part of the Recovery Act, NIH has designated at least $200 million in FYs 2009 - 2010 for a new initiative called the NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research, to fund 200 or more grants (contingent upon the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious applications). This new program will support research on Challenge Topics which address specific scientific and health research challenges in biomedical and behavioral research that will benefit from significant 2-year jumpstart funds. Challenge Areas, defined by the NIH, focus on specific knowledge gaps, scientific opportunities, new technologies, data generation, or research methods that would benefit from an influx of funds to quickly advance the area in significant ways. The research in these areas should have a high impact in biomedical or behavioral science and/or public health.

Small businesses are eligible to apply for grants under this program.

I encourage you to explore details of this opportunity. Note: The due date is April 27, 2009.


See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/challenge_award/index.htm


On a related note…..


I have received scores of inquiries asking about the role of small businesses and SBIR/STTR relative to the Recovery Act, and I hope that I can clarify some of the information (and mis-information) that appears to be generating the questions.

NIH appreciates the opportunity afforded by the Recovery Act to provide economic stimulus to the nation while furthering our mission to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. Among the goals of the Recovery Act are to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide investments to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health.


Although the Act provides that the funds to NIH not be subject to the SBIR/STTR set-aside requirement, small businesses ARE ELIGIBLE to apply for Recovery Act NIH funding opportunities (e.g., Challenge Grants, administrative supplements, competitive supplements).


I encourage you to subscribe to the Weekly NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts update to stay apprised of these opportunities that will be released in the upcoming weeks.


You can also Sign up to receive NIH and the American Recovery & Reinvestment... e-mail updates.


Bottom Line: In addition to opportunities to access the available set-aside dollars (est. $650 million) for NIH SBIR/STTR awards, you have opportunities to access Recovery Act funding under other new programs/initiatives (e.g., Challenge Grants (RC1 - now approaching $750 million total)), administrative supplements, competitive supplements) that NIH is/will soon be offering.


I sincerely hope you consider applying to those funding opportunities that you deem are appropriate and relevant to your company’s core capabilities/strategies. I encourage you to focus your energies on preparing a strong application that aligns with the goals of the Recovery Act and the mission of NIH. Each funding opportunity includes a program contact within the Institute/Center sponsoring the initiative. These individuals welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.


Best regards,


Jo Anne


PS: Don’t forget to get registered in Grants.gov and eRA Commons


PPS: Registration is now open for 11th Annual NIH SBIR/STTR Conference (June 30-July 1, 2009 in NE)


http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/SBIR/NIHconference/home.htm


Jo Anne Goodnight | NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator; Director, Division of Special Programs |


OEP, OER, NIH, DHHS | Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | [e-mail]


Web Pages of Interest:

Small Business Research Funding Opportunities (SBIR/STTR Solicitations)
NIH Pipeline to Partnerships (Showcase of NIH SBIR/STTR and NIH Licensed Technologies)
SBIR/STTR Collaboration Opportunities and Research Partnerships