NIEHS SBIR and STTR programs.

The NIH/Department of Health and Human Services Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a set-aside program for small business concerns to engage in federal research and development with the potential for commercialization. This program was developed more than 20 years ago to stimulate technological innovation, foster, and encourage participation by minorities and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation, and increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federally funded research--for example, by translating basic science discoveries into commercial products. More recently, a sister program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, was developed to foster technology transfer and commercialization between small businesses and research institutions such as universities and other nonprofit organizations.

The NIEHS SBIR and STTR programs are part of the larger NIH programs, At the NIEHS, the SBIR and STTR programs are integrated into the institute's overall research agenda with the goal of developing and commercializing technologies and products in the area of environmental health sciences that will reduce the burden of human illness and dysfunction from environmental causes. The NIEHS SBIR and STTR programs are focused on five major areas.

The Predictive Test Systems for Safety Evaluation Program focuses on the development, standardization, and validation of sensitive, specific, novel test methods or batteries that will provide faster and cheaper alternatives to the standard toxicity tests. High-throughput systems that take advantage of the new technologies of stem cells and computer modeling are of special interest.

The Exposure Assessment Program focuses on the development of new products, devices, tools, biomolecules, and biomaterials to improve our ability to measure exposure to and toxicity of environmental hazards. There is special interest in the use of biotechnology and nanotechnology to provide novel miniaturized systems for personal monitors, and in the development of new biomarkers of exposure and toxicity using noninvasive techniques that could be used to screen large populations.

The Hazardous Waste Assessment, Evaluation, and Remediation Program focuses on the development of biotechnology and bioengineering approaches toward developing novel strategies for assessing and evaluating exposure to hazardous waste and for reducing exposure via remediation technologies.

The Animal Model Program focuses on developing animal models that mimic human diseases. These models may be mammalian, nonmammalian, invertebrate, or organ- or cell tissue-based.

The Educational Materials Program is particularly interested in developing educational materials related to teaching students of all ages and the lay community about environmental health sciences.

Details on these programs, including receipt dates, forms, program announcements, and grantsmanship guidance, can be found on the NIH website at http://grantsl.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm

Contact | Jerry Heindel, Ph.D., e-mail [e-mail]