SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional)

SBIR topic PAR-27-098 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), Phase II. Open to U.S. small businesses. Opens: August 5, 2026. Closes: April 6, 2027. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs (also known as America's Seed Fund) are major sources of early-stage funding for U.S. technology development and commercialization. NIH SBIR and STTR awards support projects through multiple phases: Phase I: Establish the technical merit and feasibility of the proposed R&D. Phase II: Continue R&D to advance toward commercialization. After Phase II, NIH expects small business concerns (SBCs) to fully commercialize the product or technology using non-SBIR/STTR funds (federal or non-federal). However, biomedical projects often need specialized studies or product development services (for example, market research) to commercialize or attract third-party investment. This additional work is often outsourced to contract research organizations (CROs). Some NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) participate in the Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough program PA-27-101, which provides a second Phase II award to help bridge this gap, but those awards limit the amount of work that can be outsourced and require matching funds. What this NOFO Supports The Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) NOFO provides later-stage research and development and technical assistance to NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II recipients. The CRP program can support R&D that requires significant outsourcing and/or is needed during an active Phase II awards. This funding opportunity requires a prior (active or ended) NIH Phase II award. New SBIR Phase I and II grant applications should be submitted to PA-27-100 and STTR Phase I and II grant applications should be submitted to PA-27-102. Phase II recipients that need significant R&D funding to bridge the gap between the SBIR or STTR Phase II award and commercialization should consider the Phase IIB…