NICHD SBIR/STTR Phase I
Funds small-business feasibility research in pediatric and maternal health through United States innovation support.
The NICHD SBIR/STTR Phase I program provides feasibility-stage funding to US small businesses developing innovative products relevant to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's scientific mission. NICHD's mission spans the full human lifespan from contraception and fertility through pregnancy, birth, child and adolescent development, pediatric infectious disease, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and medical rehabilitation — organized across twelve scientific branches in its Division of Extramural Research. SBIR awards use the R43/R44 mechanism; STTR awards use R41/R42. NICHD operates within a $1.76 billion FY2026 enacted budget and accepts both parent SBIR/STTR solicitations and targeted RFAs.
Phase I establishes proof-of-concept and technical feasibility. Award amounts and page limits are published in individual NOFOs on grants.gov rather than on NICHD's homepage; they follow NIH-wide SBIR/STTR policy. Standard NIH SBIR/STTR receipt dates apply — typically September 5, January 5, and April 5 for Phase I applications submitted via the omnibus parent announcements. Eligibility requires US small business concern (SBC) status, generally defined as for-profit, US-incorporated, with 500 or fewer employees. At least 50% of the Phase I work must be performed by the small business; VC-majority-owned companies may apply via NIH's opt-in path.
Successful NICHD SBIR Phase I projects advance to Phase II development awards. Applicants should select a program area aligned with one of NICHD's twelve branches — for example, contraception, pregnancy, pediatric pharmacology under BPCA, rehabilitation technology under NCMRR, or IDD — and verify alignment with the relevant branch chief before submission. Topics with active NICHD interest include pediatric drug research under the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA), reproductive health technologies, and devices relevant to maternal-fetal medicine.
Feasibility-stage small-business innovation relevant to NICHD's mission — covering contraception, pregnancy, child development, pediatric infectious disease, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and rehabilitation technology.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see the timeline