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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contracts

While most awards are in the form of grants, a small percentage of HHS SBIR awards are made through contract procurement. There are three key things to remember when applying to a contract solicitation:
 
  • The NIH STTR program does not currently utilize the contract mechanism.
  • Contract proposals must respond to a specific topic.

How Do I Apply?

NIH SBIR contract funding opportunities reflect specific need areas (referred to as Contract Topics). These topics are identified by NIH Institute or Center (IC) staff. To submit a contract proposal, your small business must respond to one of these topics.

The contract application process differs from the grants application process because:

  • A proposal in response to the Contract Topic requires its own separate proposal to the IC that created it; grant funding announcements allow for a response to multiple IC-identified priorities (or even one not specifically named) in one application.
  • Contract proposals must be submitted through the electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS), a component of NIH’s integrated, secure system for the electronic submission, capture, tracking, and review of contract proposals.

As in the case of grants, contracts allow for Phase I, Fast Track, and Direct to Phase II proposals (as allowed by the topic). When Fast Track proposals are accepted, both a complete Phase I proposal and a separate, complete Phase II proposal must be submitted; the Phase I proposal and Phase II proposal will be evaluated and scored individually.
 

View Solicitations

Contract TopicsSubmission PortalAmendments

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Innovative Concept Award Program - Fiscal Year 2026

Offers due October 17, 2025 5:00PM EDT

Electronic Contract Proposal Submission

Amendment 1 - Q and A

Attachment_1-Technical_Proposal_Form

A Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract Proposals

Closed on October 18, 2024.

Electronic Contract Proposal Submission

Amendment One

Amendment Two

NCI SBIR Innovative Concept Award Program

Closed on September 23, 2024.

Electronic Contract Proposal Submission 

Research and Development (R&D) that will contribute toward Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

Closed on July 26, 2024.

Submit via email to [email protected] 

A solicitation for Research and development (R&D) that will contribute toward Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) mission needs and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program objectives.

Closed on February 22, 2024

Electronic Contract Proposal Submission 

A Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract Proposals (PHS-2024-1)

Closed on November 14, 2023

Electronic Contract Proposal Submission

Amendments One and Two

Amendment Three (Response to Questions)

Amendment Four (Response to Questions)

Amendment Five (Response to Questions)

NCI SBIR Innovative Concept Award Program

Closed on August 22, 2023