# NIH Guides Startups on SBIR/STTR Grants

At UNeMed’s October 16 virtual panel, National Institutes of Health (NIH) program managers encouraged startups to apply for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) funding, noting that first-time applicants are common and that the grants are non-dilutive. They advised applicants to contact program managers early, submit by the applicable deadlines because late applications are not accepted, focus proposals on commercialization rather than open-ended research, and demonstrate that the team has the expertise to execute. NIH has spent roughly $1.4 billion annually on these programs in recent years, making them a significant funding route for early-stage businesses developing technologies for commercialization.

- Companies developing relevant technologies can use early discussions with NIH program managers to assess program fit and shape proposals around commercialization goals.
- Applicants should build a qualified project team and submit complete applications by the stated deadlines; late submissions are not accepted.
- The programs offer a non-dilutive funding option, and first-time applicants are common, which may make SBIR/STTR worth evaluating for startups seeking to advance commercializable technology.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

### Vendors
- Grain Weevil (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> Around forty percent of our awards go to first time awardees.
> — Adam Sorkin, Small Business Policy Manager

> One out of four of the companies (funded then through SBIR/STTR) have exited already through an IPO, a license deal or a merger.
> — Annette Gilchrist, Program Director for Drug Development

> We’re not necessarily going to be looking for a very in-depth identification of the molecular pathways that this drug activates.
> — Stephanie Davis, Small Business Program Coordinator

### Sources
- [The do's and don’ts of SBIR/STTR federal funding for startups from NIH managers - Silicon Prairie News](https://siliconprairienews.com/2026/10/the-dos-and-donts-of-sbir-sttr-federal-funding-for-startups-from-nih-managers) - Silicon Prairie News