NCI SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program

NCI SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program is sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) - NIH. The CRP Program helps small businesses with NCI SBIR/STTR projects bridge the gap between late-stage research and commercialization.

Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program - NCI Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program Jonathan Franca-Koh, Ph. D. , M.

B. A. Contact Jonathan Franca-Koh to learn more about this program.

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-27-098 Application deadline: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization Informational Webinar: Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET [ Watch recording ] The Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program helps small businesses with NIH-funded SBIR or STTR projects bridge the gap between late-stage research and a commercially viable product.

CRP supports activities like first-in-human clinical testing, commercialization-focused development activities, specialized technical assistance, and other resources that help small businesses advance breakthrough cancer technologies toward commercialization and patient impact.

Unlike typical NIH research grants, applicants may subcontract a significant portion of the work to outside experts, as long as the small business maintains oversight and management throughout the project period. Budget limits are set by each participating NIH Institute or Center (IC) and vary by application. Applicants should contact their relevant IC program officer prior to submission to confirm applicable budget guidelines.

NCI allows projects that include clinical trials, clinical validation studies, or other later-stage commercialization-focused research and development activities up to the SBA guideline maximum of $4,191,495 in total costs. NCI will generally support up to $500,000 in non-R&D technical assistance costs. U.S. small business concerns (SBCs), as defined by the Small Business Administration, are the only eligible applicants.

Foreign organizations are not eligible. Applicants must have had an active NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II or Phase IIB contract, grant, or cooperative agreement from a participating NIH IC within the last 36 months. Only one CRP award is allowed per Phase II or Phase IIB project.

Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Unfunded international collaborations or unfunded foreign components may be allowed, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. NCI accepts CRP applications in all portfolio areas.

Clinical trials are optional under this NOFO. For more information on eligibility, please refer to Section III of the solicitation. For the Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program, the NCI will prioritize applications from companies that can accomplish significant commercial milestones through a CRP award.

These include, but are not limited to, completing clinical trials, receiving regulatory approvals, and executing studies aimed at securing reimbursement or marketing approvals. Competitive preference and funding priority will also be given to applications deemed most likely to result in a commercial product.

Strong consideration will be given to the applicant's ability to secure substantial independent third-party funding as an indicator of commercialization readiness. The amount and source of third-party funding provide an important indicator of commercial interest, external validation, and the likelihood of successfully advancing the proposed technology through late-stage clinical development and commercialization.