NEI Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

NEI STTR Phase I — Feasibility

Funds small business and research-partner teams on feasibility vision tools for future commercialization.

The NIH National Eye Institute (NEI) STTR Phase I program (R41) funds cooperative feasibility research conducted jointly by a U.S. small business and a nonprofit research institution — a university, federal laboratory, or other qualifying research organization. NEI's STTR track covers the same vision-related program areas as its SBIR program: Retina/Glaucoma/Low Vision, Anterior Segment (Cornea, Lens, Dry Eye), and Strabismus/Amblyopia/Visual Processing. The partnership model distinguishes STTR from SBIR: the small business applies, but the research institution is a required co-applicant under a formal collaboration agreement, and the principal investigator may hold primary employment at either entity.

Phase I awards are capped at $295,924 in total costs (direct plus indirect) over a period of six months to two years, matching the FY2026 NIH-wide STTR Phase I ceiling. This phase is explicitly exploratory — its purpose is to establish scientific or technical feasibility for the proposed vision technology or therapeutic approach. Applications follow the standard NIH SBIR/STTR omnibus submission schedule: September 5, January 5, and April 5. Eligible small businesses must be U.S.-incorporated with no more than 500 employees; the research institution partner must be a domestic nonprofit or federal research entity.

Winning Phase I applications demonstrate a credible feasibility hypothesis supported by a qualified team spanning both the small business and the academic partner. The formal collaboration agreement between the two entities must be in place at the time of submission. NEI program directors are available for pre-submission consultation and can guide applicants toward the most appropriate study section. Successful Phase I recipients are eligible to apply competitively for NEI STTR Phase II funding to expand the validated concept toward commercialization readiness.