HHS SBIR PA-11-347

The NINDS SBIR Technology Transfer (SBIR-TT) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is intended to help move commercially-viable neuroscience based technologies from the NIH Intramural Program to the marketplace.  Small Business Concerns (SBCs) are encouraged to submit applications that further develop such technologies and bring them to the commercial market.  While universities can spin off companies, use incubator resources, and obtain funding from venture capital, the NIH intramural programs have no similar mechanism to develop technologies.  It is frequently challenging for SBCs to develop technologies before they have obtained funding.  If selected for SBIR funding, the SBC will be granted a royalty-free, non-exclusive internal research-use license for the term of and within the field of use of the SBIR award to technologies held by NIH with the intent that the SBC will develop the invention into a commercial product to benefit the public.

This FOA encourages applications focusing on collaborations with intramural investigators on those projects that address neurological mechanisms or disorders falling under the NINDS mission, such as stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and MRI imaging related to neurological disorders.  Any project that fits within the NINDS mission that relies on the use of an NIH intramural technology is eligible for this award.  For more information on NIH research from intramural labs see:  http://irp.nih.gov/.

The NINDS Intramural Research Program is one of the largest neuroscience research centers in the world.  Investigators in the NINDS intramural program conduct research in the basic, translational, and clinical neurosciences.  Their specific interests cover a broad range of neuroscience research including molecular biophysics, synapses and circuits, neuronal development, integrative neuroscience, brain imaging and neurological disorders.  An NIH intramural investigator may provide assistance in a collaborative manner by providing technology, reagents and/or discussions during the SBIR award period.  No SBIR funds are allowed to go to the NIH intramural investigator or to the NIH intramural program.  For more information on NINDS research from intramural labs see:  http://neuroscience.nih.gov/ and http://intra.ninds.nih.gov/. 

Please see the NINDS Technology Transfer Office for more details on NINDS licensing opportunities:  http://tto.ninds.nih.gov/Licensing.asp.

For a complete listing of NIH intramural technologies which are available, please see NIH Office of Technology Transfer at:  http://www.ott.nih.gov/Technologies/AbsSearchBox.aspx. 

A list of relevant technical, invention, and licensing-related answers can be found online at the NINDS Technology Transfer Office:  http://tto.ninds.nih.gov/.

Small business concerns should submit an SBIR application through Grants.gov using the SF424(R&R) application package.  SBCs are encouraged to submit a license application to the NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) before submitting an SBIR application.  The SBIR application will be reviewed by the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR), while  license applications will be reviewed by the NIH Office of Technology Transfer.  Under the NINDS SBIR-TT program, the SBIR grant review process will be conducted in parallel with, but distinct from, the review of any application for a license.

NINDS has a policy requiring authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use an investigational drug, biologic product or device in a clinical trial prior to submission of an application.  For more details see: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-11-018.html.

Small business concerns are also encouraged to refer to the NINDS Small Business Program website for general information about the SBIR program at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/small-business/index.htm.