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Notice
The SBIR and STTR programs were reauthorized on April 13, 2026. Currently, NIH has no active SBIR or STTR Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). Future NOFOs are forecasted at Grants.gov prior to opening for applications. The next standard receipt date is September 5, 2026.
Through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, NIA seeks research proposals to address the topics and areas of interest below.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), AD-Related Dementias (ADRD), and Age-Related Change in Brain Function
Research and development of novel interventions to ameliorate AD/ADRD; improve AD/ADRD care; or further the understanding of the etiology of AD/ADRD, neurodegeneration, brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, or brain–behavior relationships. Includes:
- Drug and non-drug interventions for age-related cognitive decline, delirium, sleep disorders, or other central nervous system dysfunctions, including dysfunctions of the motor, emotional, sensory, and neuroimmune systems.
- Novel biomarkers of neural stem cell functions and new technologies or imaging devices that improve or study brain connectivity; metabolism; sleep; or cognitive, motor, emotional, or sensory activity.
- Low-cost, scalable technologies to identify and monitor prodromal markers of AD/ADRD in large-scale epidemiologic studies, enabling earlier detection, long-term monitoring, risk stratification, and timely intervention.
Aging in Place of Choice
Research and development of social, behavioral, and environmental interventions that promote independence and aging in place of choice by addressing the unique needs of older adults, their healthcare providers, and caregivers. Includes:
- Prosthetics, assistive devices and robotics, digital technologies and software, technologies to enable telehealth, and technology to mitigate age-related physical and behavioral health challenges or to improve healthcare delivery, care coordination, and disease management.
Age-Related Diseases and Conditions
Research and development of new diagnostic tools and methods, biomarkers, therapeutics, imaging devices, and technologies to monitor, diagnose, predict, prevent, treat, and further the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of aging or age-related diseases and conditions.
Research Tools
Development and validation of innovative tools, resources, or methodologies that promote the efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality collection, analysis, or interpretation of aging-related quantitative or qualitative data. Includes:
- Bioinformatics tools; screening platforms; surveying, sampling, and behavioral/behavioral economics methods; and clinical instruments to enhance the study of aging, cellular resiliencies, and aging-related diseases.
Special Emphasis Areas of Interest
Areas of particular interest related to aging biology, aging-related diseases and conditions, behavioral health, and AD/ADRD include, but are not limited to the following:
- Companion diagnostics and other forms of personalized medicine.
- Bioinformatics, public health informatics, or data science technologies/methods (e.g., machine learning, artificial intelligence) to better understand aging biology and/or predict health outcomes.
- Novel cell and gene therapies, as well as other novel therapeutic approaches to AD/ADRD.
- Biomarkers and diagnostic tools for the early detection of disease that can be deployed in clinical and diagnostic settings, research environments, chronic disease management situations, and/or large-scale population-based studies.
- Prevention and therapeutics that directly target mechanisms related to aging biology.
- Assistive technology, devices, and mobile applications for older adults and caregivers.
- Tools and technologies which offer a significant consumer advancement by combining non-invasive design with the ability to capture validated, longitudinal, high-quality data.
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