Limited Competition: NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH) (SB0 Clinical Trial Optional)
Agency: National Institutes of Health Assistance Listings: 93.310 -- Trans-NIH Research Support Last Updated: August 13, 2026
Description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including all of its Institutes and Centers, plans to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity inviting eligible colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for the NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program. The REACH program helps move promising biomedical discoveries from academic research into real-world products that can improve patient care and public health. Through this opportunity, NIH plans to fund five new academic entrepreneurship hubs. These hubs will support researchers by providing early-stage funding, technical and business resources, and mentorship in product development and commercialization. The hubs will focus on high-priority technologies that align with NIH's mission. Together, the funded hubs will form a technology development consortium that will help:
- Identify the most promising academic biomedical technologies;
- Fund early product-development work, such as feasibility studies, prototypes, and proof-of-concept studies;
- Provide access to expertise in science, regulation, reimbursement, business, law, and project management; and
- Offer entrepreneurship training and hands-on commercialization experience.
Public-private partnerships and non-federal matching funding will be important to the program's success. The five awardees will build on lessons learned from previous REACH hubs and support the goals of the Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership pilot program, as authorized by the 2011 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act (P.L. 112-81 Section 5127) and extended through fiscal year 2031 under the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (P.L. 119-83). The REACH program also supports federal research and development priorities, including preparing the 21st-century workforce, moving technologies from the lab to the marketplace, strengthening partnerships among government, industry, and academia, and addressing local health needs, particularly in medically underserved and/or rural areas.
This is a Forecast for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Eligibility Section for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
Additional information
The primary applicant organization must be a university or other research institution that participates in the NIH STTR program. Participation means that a university or other research institution has been a formal partner to a small business on an STTR award.
Grantor contact information
Description: NIH SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development) Office 301-827-8595 Email: nihreach@nih.gov
Documents
No documents are currently available.
Link to additional information
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Forecasted
Estimated Post Date: September 30, 2026 Estimated Application Due Date: November 10, 2026 Estimated Due Date Description: Not available Estimated Award Date: April 30, 2027 Estimated Project Start Date: June 1, 2027 Fiscal Year: 2027
Award
Program Funding: $5,000,000 Expected awards: 5 Award Minimum: $-- Award Maximum: $--
Funding opportunity number: RFA-OD-27-009 Cost sharing or matching requirement: No Funding instrument type: Grant Opportunity Category: Discretionary Opportunity Category Explanation: -- Category of Funding Activity: Health Category Explanation: --
History
Version: 3 Forecast posted date: June 25, 2026 Archive date: --