NIH Grants and Funding
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NIH Staff 
This webinar is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program (RFA-OD-14-005), which is designed to facilitate and accelerate the translation of biomedical innovations into commercial products that improve patient care and enhance health. Eligible institutions include higher education institutions and other non-profit research institutions that have participated in the NIH Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.
The REACH Hubs will provide qualified institutions with the initial investment and resources to nurture innovators to develop high priority early-stage technologies within the NIH's mission by providing:
- Infrastructure for identifying the most promising technologies,
- Funding for product definition studies (e.g. feasibility studies, prototype development, or proof-of-concept studies),
- Coordinated access to expertise in areas required for early stage technology development (including scientific, regulatory, reimbursement, business, legal, and project management), and
- Skills development and hands-on experience in entrepreneurism.
This program implements Section 5127 of the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011 that permits NIH to support Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnerships. As such, applicants must be a university or other research institution that participates in the NIH Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. Participation means that a university or other research institution has been a formal partner to a small business on an STTR grant. The ultimate goal of these Hubs is very similar to those of the STTR program - to translate promising technologies to the private sector, either through a viable start-up company or licensing opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can you please clarify which institutions are eligible?
Eligible institutions include:
Higher Education Institutions
- Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
- Private Institutions of Higher Education
The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
Applicants must be a university or other research institution that participates in the NIH STTR program. Participation means that a university or other research institution has been a formal partner to a small business on an STTR grant. Many NIH-supported universities or other research institutions will be eligible. Please contact Kurt Marek, PhD (kurt.marek@nih.gov) for more information.
Please see the Guide Notice (NOT-OD-14-087) clarifying eligibility.
Small businesses are not eligible to apply.
2) What is the required disease scope of REACH Hubs? Does it have to include any technology within the NIH mission or can it be focused narrowly on a subset of diseases or technologies?
The RFA does not specify a disease scope for the REACH Hubs, but this is a trans-NIH FOA.
- Questions? Email Kurt W. Marek, Ph.D. with the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) atkurt.marek@nih.gov.
