National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Innovative Concept Award Program – Fiscal Year 2025

The National Cancer Institute is soliciting proposals from small business concerns to perform key activities to demonstrate technical feasibility and proof-of-concept for the development of highly innovative and potentially transformative technologies in the following areas:

• Development of therapeutic or preventative technologies for treatment or prevention of Pediatric Cancers and/or Rare Cancers.
• Development of devices, diagnostic technologies, or digital health tools for treatment, detection, and diagnosis of Pediatric Cancers and/or Rare Cancers.

For this solicitation rare cancers with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50 % are encouraged and rare cancers would be defined as including all the cancers listed by the NIH Genetics and Rare Diseases Information Center.  The list can be found here: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/search-result?category=Cancer. Access the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database (https://seer.cancer.gov/) for more information regarding 5-year cancer survival rates.

Preliminary data is not required; however, the ideas should have sound scientific premise either based on the offeror’s own research or literature evidence. Proposals will need to identify an anticipated product that will be developed and clearly lay out the anticipated development path. Proposals will need to clearly identify the clinical problem and cancer type(s) that the proposal will focus on with adequate justification. In addition, the offerors should propose experiments to obtain initial de-risking and proof-of-concept data. Awards will also include requirements to enhance entrepreneurship skills and to develop or refine a business model and commercialization plan.

This solicitation is a Concept Award program that could serve as a pipeline for the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Background for the SBIR program can be found in the Small Business Administration’s policy directive found here:  https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBA%20SBIR_STTR_POLICY_DIRECTIVE_May2023.pdf

This is a total small business set-aside solicitation. Only proposals from eligible small businesses will be considered for award.

This size standard is established by law for the SBIR program, regardless of the NAICS Code assigned. To be eligible as a small business, the business concern may have no more than 500 employees, including the employees of its Affiliates. See 13 C.F.R. § 121.702. Other requirements apply, as well – see the SBA’s SBIR Policy Directive for further eligibility requirements.

The solicitation for the NCI SBIR Innovative Concept Award Program is anticipated to be made available on or around April 12, 2024.

This solicitation is anticipated to have a closing date in late September for receipt of proposals, with an interim deadline in June for submission and consideration of white papers, which will allow the NCI to provide feedback on whether or not the proposed idea falls within the scope of what this solicitation is seeking.

NOTE – SBIR / STTR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Other SBIR and STTR contract and grant opportunities are also available. Companies are encouraged to review https://seed.nih.gov/small-business-funding/find-funding

For general information regarding the NCI SBIR Program, please refer to https://sbir.cancer.gov/