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SBIR Tech Transfer

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Goal: To help move commercially-viable technologies from the NIH Intramural Program to the marketplace.
Program AnnouncementNotice of Special Interest: SBIR Technology Transfer 

Current Expiration Date: January 07, 2025 per issuance of NOT-NS-22-017.

Combining technology transfer partnering mechanisms with SBIR funding to move inventions from bench research to market
  • NCI strongly recommends companies contact NCI SBIR (link to email) and/or the NCI Technology Transfer Center (link to email) and prior to starting the grant application. 
  • Companies that identified an NCI technology to develop are recommended to discuss a proposed research plan with the NCI researcher
    • NCI SBIR or NCI TTC will facilitate confidential discussions with the NCI researcher prior to developing a research plan. 
  • An SBIR-TT Phase I awardee will be granted a royalty-free, non-exclusive research-use license to use NIH-owned and patented background inventions within the scope and term of the award.
  • Upon notification that Phase I grant will be awarded, the company needs to apply for a research use license as soon as possible so it can be granted when the award is made.
  • Upon receiving an SBIR-TT Phase I grant, the awardee should apply to the NCI TTC for a commercialization license to make, use, and sell products or services incorporating the NIH background invention. A commercialization license is required in order to accept an SBIR-TT Phase II grant. This can be a regular commercialization or a Start-Up License.
  • The SBIR-TT grantee works closely with the NCI PI as defined in the SBIR application. 

As part of the SBIR-TT project, an NIH intramural investigator may provide assistance in a collaborative manner by providing resources  and/or discussions during the SBIR award period.

Please note:
  • No SBIR funds are allowed to go to the NIH intramural investigator or to the NIH intramural program
  • R43/44 & R41/42 – Clinical Trial applications are not allowed
  • Application Receipt Dates: Standard SBIR grant application dates
  • Budget: Changes each year. Fast-Track accepted
    How Much Does It Cost?
    • Each party responsible for its own costs
    • CRADAs permit NCI to receive funds only to offset our costs for CRADA research
    • NCI cannot receive funding provided to the Collaborator from an NCI grant or contract – including SBIR
    • NCI cannot provide funding to the SBC under any of the TT agreements
    Collaborating with NCI intramural research via SBIR-TT Grants
    • NIH labs can co-develop under several different formats, depending on the need
    • Company can exchange IP with the NCI researcher (CDA invoked)
    • Company can utilize fixed asset resources at NCI and an FFRDC such as the Frederick National Laboratory in Frederick, MD
    • Company cannot fund CRADA work in NCI lab using SBIR funds; however local, state, other federal, private, or investor funds can be used if accounted for
    NCI SBIR-TT Points of Contact:

    Brittany Connors
    Special Initiatives Manager
    NCI SBIR Program Office

    Michael Salgaller, Ph.D.
    Supervisory Technology Analysis and Marketing Specialist
    NCI Technology Transfer Center

    Updated
    Monday, May 16, 2022