NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) INNOVATIVE CONCEPT PHASE I AWARD PROGRAM

About this funding opportunity

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites small business concerns to submit research proposals under this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract solicitation. Firms with the capability to conduct research and development (R&D) in the health-related topic areas referred to below and described more fully in Section 11.0, and to commercialize the results of that R&D, are encouraged to participate.

The topic areas that are being sought under this solicitation are:

Topic 1: Development of therapeutic or preventative technologies for treatment or prevention of Pediatric Cancers and/or Rare Cancers.

For this solicitation rare cancers with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50% are encouraged.

Topic 2: Development of devices, diagnostic technologies, or digital health tools for treatment, detection, and diagnosis of Pediatric Cancers and/or Rare Cancers.

For this solicitation, rare cancers with a 5-year survival rate of less than 50% are encouraged.

The National Cancer Institute is soliciting proposals from small business concerns who are looking for an opportunity to perform a few key activities to demonstrate proof-of-concept and feasibility of untested but potentially transformative, game-changing research and development (R&D) technologies to help cancer patients, providers and caregivers, in conjunction with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program objectives. The NCI has established a high-risk, high-reward SBIR “Innovative Concept Award” Program for this purpose.

Preliminary data is not required; however, the ideas should have sound scientific premise either based on the offeror’s own research or literature evidence. Proposals will need to identify an anticipated product that will be developed and clearly lay out the anticipated development path. Proposals will need to clearly identify the clinical problem and cancer type(s) that the proposal will focus on with adequate justification. In addition, the offerors should propose experiments to obtain initial de-risking and proof-of-concept data.

Note: Non-exempt Human subjects research will not be supported under this solicitation.

Phase I Concept Award contractors will be informed of the opportunity to apply for Phase II. Only one Phase II award may result from a single Phase I SBIR contract. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is not obligated to make any awards under this solicitation. All awards are subject to the availability of funds. HHS is not responsible for any monies expended by the offeror before award of any contract.

Topic areas: General and Cross-cutting R&D, Life Sciences and Health.

Funding amount

This contract provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are due Sep 21, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• SME

Eligibility

Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Agency

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) INNOVATIVE CONCEPT PHASE I AWARD PROGRAM is administered by Health And Human Services, Department Of (HHSD), listed via SAM.gov.