NHGRI Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer

The National Human Genome Research Institute's Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer program is NHGRI's small-business route for genomics technologies and population screening tools with a commercial path. It sits under the National Human Genome Research Institute and gives companies a place to pursue development work that still stays tied to NIH's genomics mission. The program uses the standard NIH SBIR and STTR mechanisms. SBIR work is carried out inside the small business, while STTR requires a formal research institution partner. The institute's current funding page points to population genomic screening as a live example, and the program follows NIH standard timelines with multiple cycles each year. The active mechanism family includes the usual Phase I and Phase II structure for company-led development. This route fits a U.S. small business with a genomics platform, sequencing workflow, interpretation method, or screening technology that can move toward commercialization. Early discussion with program staff is encouraged, which is practical because the exact terms depend on the current FOA rather than one permanent standing call. Applicants usually do best when they can show a credible product path, a clear technical milestone, and a reason the NIH small-business structure is better than a standard research grant.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.