Key Dates

Related Announcements

• April 20, 2026 - Notice of Information: Implementation of HHS Annual SBIR/STTR Application/Proposal Limit. See NOT-OD-26-073.

Issued by

Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health (OD)

Purpose

This announcement rescinds the HHS Annual SBIR/STTR Application/Proposal Limit previously announced in NOT-OD-26-073.

The purpose of this notice is to inform HHS Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) applicants of the updated new policy limiting the number of applications or proposals that HHS, including all components, will consider per Small Business Concern per fiscal year. 

Background

The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (the Act), signed into law by President Trump on April 13, 2026, reauthorized the SBIR, STTR and related pilot programs through September 30, 2031. The Act includes a requirement for federal agencies to set a maximum limit on the number of SBIR and STTR applications or proposals a Small Business Concern can submit across HHS per fiscal year.

Applicability

This policy applies to all competing applications and proposals submitted to HHS SBIR and STTR programs for due dates on or after April 13, 2026.

Policy

HHS will accept a maximum of nine new and resubmission Phase I, Fast-track, and Direct to Phase II applications (including grants, cooperative agreements) and contract proposals from a Small Business Concern in a fiscal year. This policy applies to all SBIR and STTR activity codes. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

For all inquiries concerning the NIH SBIR and STTR program requirements please contact:

SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development)
Office of Extramural Research
[email protected]