National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Innovative Concept Award Program - Fiscal Year 2026
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 75N91025R00005
- Agency
-
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- Place of performance
- United States
- Points of contact
-
- Kathleen Sears ncioasbir@mail.nih.gov
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is soliciting proposals from small business concerns for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Innovative Concept Award Program for Fiscal Year 2026, seeking development of transformative technologies for pediatric and rare cancers. The solicitation covers two primary areas: therapeutic or preventative technologies for treatment/prevention of pediatric and rare cancers, and devices, diagnostic technologies, or digital health tools for treatment, detection, and diagnosis of these cancer types. Proposals are particularly encouraged for rare cancers with 5-year survival rates below 50%, as defined by the NIH Genetics and Rare Diseases Information Center. Key requirements include identifying an anticipated product with a clear development path, demonstrating technical feasibility and proof-of-concept, and proposing experiments to obtain initial de-risking data. Awards will also require participation in the NIH I-Corps program to enhance entrepreneurship skills and develop commercialization plans. The white paper submission deadline is July 11, 2025, with final proposals due October 17, 2025.
This opportunity is designated as a total small business set-aside, with eligibility limited to businesses with 500 or fewer employees that are U.S.-located and for-profit. The NCI anticipates making 5-15 awards with funding up to $300,000 per award for a 12-month performance period. No current contractors or incumbents are mentioned in the solicitation materials. The program serves as a potential pipeline for future SBIR Phase II contract or grant opportunities, with successful awardees potentially eligible for additional funding. Performance will take place in the United States, with the specific location determined by the awarded small business concerns and their proposed research activities.
Notice text
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
Files
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Solicitation | |
| National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Innovative Concept Award Program - Fiscal Year 2026 | Solicitation | |
| National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Innovative Concept Award Program - Fiscal Year 2026 | Pre-Solicitation |
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