NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) INNOVATIVE CONCEPT PHASE I AWARD PROGRAM
This solicitation funds small business concerns to conduct Phase I SBIR proof-of-concept R&D for pediatric or rare cancer therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, or digital health tools with commercialization intent.
RESTRICTED TO: SMALL BUSINESS SBIR STTR
⚑ Phase I SBIR contract solicitation; small business concerns only, total small business set-aside · Non-exempt human subjects research will not be supported · Preliminary data not required · Phase I contractors may later apply for Phase II; only one Phase II award may result from a single Phase I contract
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 100 strong | SBIR/STTR — core Hub pipeline (faculty founders + small-business partners); funds commercialization; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| IPPRA | 35 weak | portfolio topics: cybersecurity, public_health; social/behavioral work is minor; funds commercialization — not a research fit; university can only partner, not lead; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped) |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 35 weak | technical depth: substantial; funds commercialization (capped) |
Description
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites small business concerns to submit research proposals under this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract solicitation. Firms with the capability to conduct research and development (R&D) in the health-related topic areas referred to below and described more fully in Section 11.0, and to commercialize the results of that R&D, are encouraged to participate. The topic areas that are being sought under this solicitation are: Topic 1: Development of therapeutic or preventative technologies for treatment or prevention of Pediatric Cancers and/or Rare Cancers. For this solicitation rare cancers with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50% are encouraged. Topic 2: Development of devices, diagnostic technologies, or digital health tools for treatment, detection, and diagnosis of Pediatric Cancers and/or Rare Cancers. For this solicitation, rare cancers with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50% are encouraged. The National Cancer Institute is soliciting proposals from small business concerns who are looking for an opportunity to perform a few key activities to demonstrate proof-of-concept and feasibility of untested but potentially transformative, game-changing research and development (R&D) technologies to help cancer patients, providers and caregivers, in conjunction with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program objectives. The NCI has established a high-risk, high-reward SBIR “Innovative Concept Award” Program for this purpose. Preliminary data is not required; however, the ideas should have sound scientific premise either based on the offeror’s own research or literature evidence. Proposals will need to identify an anticipated product that will be developed and clearly lay out the anticipated development path. Proposals will need to clearly identify the clinical problem and cancer type(s) that the proposal will focus on with adequate justification. In addition, the offerors should propose experiments to obtain initial de-risking and proof-of-concept data. Note: Non-exempt Human subjects research will not be supported under this solicitation. Phase I Concept Award contractors will be informed of the opportunity to apply for Phase II. Only one Phase II award may result from a single Phase I SBIR contract. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is not obligated to make any awards under this solicitation. All awards are subject to the availability of funds. HHS is not responsible for any monies expended by the offeror before award of any contract.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: Small Business Set Aside - Total. Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF / NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH / NIH NCI.
Apply
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · HHS services agencies (SAMHSA / HRSA / CDC / ACF) conventions SEE AN HHS EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — HHS services agencies (SAMHSA / HRSA / CDC / ACF)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.