Businesses working on innovative products and processes within the health and life sciences sectors may be eligible to apply for and receive government funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the NIH?
NIH is the largest medical research agency in the world, with a history dating back to the late 18th century.
Originally known as the Marine Hospital Service (MHS), its founding goal was the prevention of ship passengers spreading infectious diseases. The organization has evolved over time to become what it is today, an organization dedicated to medical research and advancement. After starting in Bethesda, Maryland, the organization has grown to include 27 institutes throughout the country.
Mission and Objectives
The NIH stands as the cornerstone of biomedical research within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
As well as investing over $30 billion in biomedical and behavioral research, the NIH has an unwavering mission: to revolutionize scientific understanding of living systems and leverage this knowledge to improve health and reduce illness and disability.
The agency’s objectives:
- Fostering creative breakthroughs, innovative research strategies, and their applications to protect and improve health while upholding scientific integrity and ethical conduct.
- Fortifying the nation’s disease prevention by offering training for researchers and clinicians.
- Broadening the scope of understanding in medical and related fields, to boost the nation’s economic prosperity and ensuring a sustained yield from public investments in research.
NIH Institutes and Centers
There are 27 institutes and centers within the National Institutes of Health that address different health issues. These sub-agencies each focus on specific aspects of biomedical research and health care.
Here are a few examples of such sub-agencies:
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): Leading cancer research, treatment, and prevention efforts.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): Focusing on infectious diseases, immunology, and global health concerns.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Specializing in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and sleep disorders research.
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB): Advancing biomedical imaging and technology for healthcare improvement.
For a full list of sub-agencies, click here.
Examples of NIH Grants
To advance scientific knowledge and improve human health, the NIH provides grants to researchers, institutions, and organizations.
These grants typically undergo a competitive peer-review evaluation by experts in the field for their scientific merit, approach, and potential impact. There are different types of NIH grants, each with its own code, divided by specific purpose and eligibility criteria.
Some of the most common types of NIH grants include:
- R01 Grants: These are the most common type of NIH research grant and support a specific, well-defined project proposed by an investigator.
- R21 Grants: These grants are designed to encourage exploratory and high-risk research projects with the potential for high rewards.
- R03 Grants: These grants provide limited funding for small-scale research projects that can be completed in a short period.
What types of projects are funded by the NIH?
Please find below examples of recent NIH-funded projects and their corresponding grant amounts.
- Development of a Biomimetic Stentless Pulmonary Heart Valve for the Treatment of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease in the amount of $553,838.
- A human monoclonal antibody therapy for treatment of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in the amount of $1,000,000.
- Developing of a computer-based multimodal mind and body approach for mild cognitive decline in the amount of $498,094.
Where does Leyton fit in?
Leyton’s Grants & Incentives team assists businesses from a wide range of industries in accessing all government grants, NIH included. Our technical consultants assist by project managing the application process, drafting, and reviewing documents, ensuring a timely and correct submission, and liaising with government representatives on the company’s behalf.
References
- NIH Awards by Location and Organization – NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT). (n.d.). Report.nih.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://report.nih.gov/award/index.cfm?ot=&fy=2023&state=&ic=NIBIB&fm=&orgid=10052861&distr=&rfa=&om=n&pid=#tab2
- PAR-22-031: Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed). (n.d.). Grants.nih.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-22-031.html
- PAR-22-243: Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional). (n.d.). Grants.nih.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-22-243.html
- PAR-22-097: Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional). (n.d.). Grants.nih.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-22-097.html
- (2019). Nih.gov. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm
- National Institutes of Health. (2019). About NIH. National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/about-nih
