NIH SBIR: Aligning Your Proposal with Health Priorities

October 7, 2025 · 3 min read

Rachel Nguyen

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Understanding the NIH SBIR Program and Its Priorities

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive funding opportunity for small businesses to engage in biomedical and behavioral research with the potential for commercialization. To maximize your proposal's impact, it's crucial to align your project with the health research priorities and objectives of the NIH.

Identify Relevant Institutes and Centers

The first step in aligning your proposal with NIH priorities is to identify the appropriate Institute or Center (IC) that focuses on the research area your project addresses. Some examples of ICs include:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

By targeting the right IC, you increase the likelihood of your proposal being reviewed by experts in your field and demonstrate your understanding of the NIH's research priorities.

Research the Strategic Plans and Priorities of Your Target IC

Each IC has its own strategic plan and research priorities. Familiarize yourself with these documents to ensure your proposal aligns with the IC's goals. For example, if your project focuses on cancer research, review the NCI's Strategic Plan to identify key objectives and priorities that your proposal can address.

Incorporate IC Priorities into Your Proposal

Once you've identified the relevant IC and its priorities, incorporate these elements into your proposal. This can be done by:

Clearly stating the alignment of your project with the IC's priorities in your Specific Aims section
Demonstrating how your project addresses a gap in knowledge or an unmet need identified by the IC
Highlighting the potential impact of your project on the IC's mission and objectives

Leverage Program Announcements and Funding Opportunity Announcements

The NIH regularly releases Program Announcements (PAs) and Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) that highlight specific research areas of interest. Review these documents to identify opportunities that align with your project and incorporate the relevant information into your proposal.

Tailor Your Proposal to the PA or FOA

When responding to a PA or FOA, ensure your proposal addresses the specific requirements and objectives outlined in the announcement. This may include:

Using the required application forms and following the submission guidelines
Addressing the review criteria and considerations specific to the PA or FOA
Demonstrating the potential impact of your project on the research area of interest

Collaborate with Experts and Stakeholders

Collaborating with experts and stakeholders in your research area can strengthen your proposal by demonstrating your commitment to addressing the NIH's priorities. Consider partnering with:

Academic researchers with expertise in your field
Healthcare providers or patient advocacy groups
Industry partners with complementary technologies or resources

In Conclusion

Aligning your NIH SBIR proposal with health research priorities and objectives is essential for maximizing its impact. By identifying the appropriate IC, incorporating its priorities into your proposal, leveraging PAs and FOAs, and collaborating with experts and stakeholders, you can increase your chances of securing funding and advancing your research.

Granted can help you identify which NIH institute is the best fit for your innovation and tailor each section of your proposal to that institute's priorities -- explore Granted's SBIR support tools.

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