SBIR Tech Transfer

Combining technology transfer partnering mechanisms with SBIR funding to move inventions from bench research to market

• NCI strongly recommends companies contact NCI SBIR and/or the NCI Technology Transfer Center 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

Note: This program expired January 07, 2025. This page will be updated if or when the program is renewed.

Brittany Connors
Special Initiatives Manager
NCI SBIR Program Officer