National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases- SBIR-STTR

Provide funding to conduct and support basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program expands and improves private sector participation in biomedical research. The SBIR Program intends to increase and facilitate private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development. The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program stimulates and fosters scientific and technological innovation with small business through collaboration with research institutions.

The following will be considered in making funding decisions: scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review, availability of funds, relevance of the proposed project to program priorities and security risk as assessed by the HHS Due Diligence Program Assessing the importance/impact of the proposed study and its goals. Evaluating the quality of the experimental design and approach. The ability of the proposed investigator or research group to successfully execute the project. Examine whether the proposed resources, infrastructure, and institutional facilities are sufficient to support the project. Budgetary considerations are reviewed to determine the necessity of the components requested. This entails examining whether the proposed expenditures align well with the activities and scale of the project. Determining whether all items requested are essential for successful execution. SBIR and STTR applicants under consideration for award will be required to submit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disclosure form regarding foreign affiliations or relationships to foreign countries during the just in time information (JIT) process.

Applicants submit the grant application in grants.gov following guidance provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Center for Scientific Review (CSR) assigns the application. A peer review process by Scientific Review Group (SRG) assigns an overall impact score. A second level peer review is done by NIAID's advisory council which determines if there is concurrence with the initial peer review and evaluates program relevance, and fiscal considerations. NIAID selects proposals based on several factors including programmatic priorities/set-asides, budget availability for that fiscal year, and security risk as assessed by the HHS Due Diligence Program. The Council makes recommendations to NIAID leadership. After advisory council review NIAID program staff evaluates applications. NIAID officials under delegated HHS authority consider all factors and make funding decisions. The NIAID Grants Management Officer (GMO) issues a Notice of Award (NOA). The NOA is the legally binding document which obligates federal funds, specifies the approved budget and project period, establishes terms and conditions of the assistance. Only a GMO has authority to obligate Federal funds.

Scientific Peer Review, Advisory Council Review, and final funding decision or disapproval can vary but typically ranges from 8-12 months.

SBIR grants have a competing continuation phase I to II and competing renewal phase II to IIB.

A principal investigator may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of their application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. Final decisions on unresolved appeals are made with the advice of the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council.