{"id":1299,"date":"2026-03-26T15:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T15:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leyton.majjane.agency\/us\/insights\/articles\/applying-for-nih-grants-as-a-business-where-do-i-start\/"},"modified":"2026-07-26T16:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T14:58:36","slug":"applying-for-nih-grants-as-a-business-where-do-i-start","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/leyton.com\/us\/insights\/articles\/applying-for-nih-grants-as-a-business-where-do-i-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Applying for NIH Grants as a Business in 2026: Where do I start?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Businesses developing innovative health and life sciences technologies may be eligible for competitive research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), especially through small\u2011business\u2011focused programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs<\/a><\/strong>, which continue to be key NIH mechanisms for funding early\u2011stage commercial innovation in 2026.<\/p>\n NIH is the largest medical research agency in the world, with a history dating back to the late 18th century.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The NIH stands as the cornerstone of biomedical research within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n In recent years, NIH\u2019s annual budget has exceeded $47.2 billion for biomedical and behavioral research. With Congress sustaining a healthy research funding trajectory through fiscal year (FY) 2026. While its core mission remains to revolutionize scientific understanding of living systems and leverage this knowledge to improve health and reduce illness and disability.<\/p>\n The agency’s objectives:<\/strong><\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Here are a few examples of such sub-agencies:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n For a full list of sub-agencies, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n To advance scientific knowledge and improve human health, the NIH provides grants to researchers, institutions, and organizations, including U.S. small businesses through SBIR and STTR mechanisms. <\/p>\n These grants undergo a competitive, expert peer\u2011review process that evaluates scientific merit, approach, and potential impact. There are different types of NIH grants, each with its own activity code, purpose, and eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n Some of the most common NIH grant types that businesses should know include:<\/p>\n NIH funds a wide range of projects across life sciences, including therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health tools, and behavioral interventions, many of which involve small business participation through SBIR and STTR awards.<\/p>\n Examples include projects to develop novel heart valves and implantable devices, monoclonal antibody\u2011based therapies for infectious diseases, and digital or software\u2011based interventions to support cognitive and mental health.<\/p>\n In 2026, small businesses interested in NIH SBIR or STTR funding should first confirm they meet NIH\u2019s small business eligibility criteria, complete required registrations (including SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons), and then identify relevant SBIR\/STTR Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) on the NIH Grants website or through institute\u2011specific small business program pages. Early contact with the appropriate NIH program officer and careful review of the full NOFO remain critical steps for a competitive application.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Leyton\u2019s Grants & Incentives<\/a><\/strong> team assists businesses from a wide range of industries in accessing government grants, including NIH SBIR and STTR awards. Our consultants support clients by: <\/a><\/p>\n Businesses developing innovative health and life sciences technologies may be eligible for competitive research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), especially through small\u2011business\u2011focused programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which continue to be key NIH mechanisms for funding early\u2011stage commercial innovation in 2026. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1300,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[419,289],"tags":[97,109],"expertise":[370],"class_list":["post-1299","article","type-article","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grants-incentives-en","category-life-sciences-en","tag-grants-en-en","tag-tax-professionals-en","expertise-innovation-funding-incentives"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is the NIH?<\/mark><\/h2>\n
Mission and Objectives<\/h2>\n
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NIH Institutes and Centers<\/h2>\n
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Examples of NIH Grants<\/h2>\n
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What types of projects are funded by the NIH?<\/mark><\/h2>\n
Where should a small business start?<\/h2>\n
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Where does Leyton fit in?<\/h2>\n
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Sources<\/h2>\n
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