health · HHS-NIH11

Limited Competition: Growing Great Ideas: Research Education Course in Entrepreneurship and Product Development for Researchers Studying Drug Use, Drug Misuse, and Drug Addiction (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of Health · RFA-DA-27-007

45 days left

Total Program Funding

$350K

Expected Awards

Deadline

October 1, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

NIH is funding one $350K award for a 'Growing Great Ideas' entrepreneurship research education course — teaching biomedical researchers how to commercialize their discoveries. This is a limited competition (existing NIH grantees only) for an institution to develop and deliver a training program that helps scientists understand technology transfer, startup formation, IP strategy, and business development. Think: teaching PhDs how to become biotech entrepreneurs.

Who Should Apply

Research universities or academic medical centers with active NIH-funded research portfolios AND existing entrepreneurship/tech transfer programs. Must have faculty who bridge biomedical research and commercialization.

Who Should NOT Apply

Institutions without active NIH grants (limited competition), business schools without biomedical research, individual researchers, or institutions without tech transfer infrastructure.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Limited competition — must have existing NIH-funded research
•Must develop research education course on entrepreneurship/commercialization
•Must target biomedical researchers transitioning to entrepreneurship
•Single award of $350K
•No clinical trials
•No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

This is perfect for a university that already runs an NSF I-Corps site or similar commercialization training and wants NIH money to adapt it for biomedical researchers specifically. The winning institution will show they already have: (1) successful biotech spinouts from their research, (2) mentors who've commercialized discoveries, and (3) a curriculum framework ready to implement. Don't build from scratch — show you're scaling what's already working.

Competitiveness: High — single award, limited competition. Strong advantage for institutions with proven biomedical entrepreneurship track records.

What This Grant Funds

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) seeks to establish a course to equip researchers studying drug use, drug misuse, and drug addiction with the skills, knowledge, and practical tools needed to translate their scientific discoveries into impactful real world solutions. The course is envisioned to focus on building capacity in product development, entrepreneurship, and innovation pathways so participants can more effectively move biomedical ideas from early research toward implementation, or commercialization. By combining structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, the course is envisioned to accelerate the development of biomedical products that address the complex challenges of drug use, drug misuse, and drug addiction, while fostering an interdisciplinary community of investigators prepared to navigate the scientific, regulatory, and business aspects of this unique research field.

Attachments

PDF

RFA-DA-27-007-Full-Announcement.html

Who Can Apply

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to applyNon-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Eligible Applicant Types

State GovernmentsSpecial District GovernmentsOther Tribal Organizations501(c)(3) NonprofitsFor-Profit OrganizationsOther (see NOFO for details)Independent School DistrictsCounty GovernmentsPublic Colleges & UniversitiesPrivate Colleges & UniversitiesPublic And Indian Housing AuthoritiesCity/Township GovernmentsSmall BusinessesFederally Recognized Tribal GovernmentsNonprofits without 501(c)(3)

Funding Details

Total Program Funding: $350K
Expected Number of Awards: 1
Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: cooperative_agreement

Key Dates

Posted: June 23, 2026

Application Deadline: October 1, 2026 (45 days remaining)

Agency Contact

Jessica Lukacs, MD, MBA jess.lukacs@nih.gov

jess.lukacs@nih.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov