Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 27 102
The NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PA-27-102, is a discretionary NIH grant program designed to help U.S. small businesses move promising scientific and technical innovations toward commercialization by formally partnering with a nonprofit research institution. The core idea is to bridge the gap between early scientific discovery and a market-ready product by combining the entrepreneurial, product-development focus of a small business concern (SBC) with the specialized research capabilities of a university, nonprofit institute, or other eligible nonprofit research organization. This particular parent announcement uses the standard STTR phased mechanism, meaning applicants can seek support for an initial feasibility stage and, if successful, a subsequent development stage, with the option to include clinical trials when appropriate (hence “Clinical Trial Optional”).
The program supports a range of work from early proof-of-concept and feasibility studies through later-stage research and development (R and D) activities that are necessary to advance a technology toward a commercial product. In practical terms, projects funded under this opportunity often include activities like prototype development, validation and verification testing, iterative engineering, preclinical development, and other translational steps that reduce technical risk and make the innovation more attractive for downstream investment, partnerships, regulatory progression, and ultimately deployment in real-world healthcare settings. Because it is a “parent” STTR opportunity, it is broadly applicable across many biomedical and behavioral research areas that NIH supports, which is reflected in the long list of CFDA numbers tied to multiple NIH Institutes and Centers.
Eligibility is tightly focused on U.S. small business concerns. Only SBCs located in the United States and meeting the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition are eligible to submit applications (with SBA guidance referenced at sbir.gov/apply). A central requirement of STTR is the formal collaboration between the SBC and a nonprofit research institution, which distinguishes it from other small business research programs by emphasizing a structured technology transfer partnership. While collaboration is encouraged, NIH places clear limits on foreign involvement for this specific opportunity. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) cannot apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to be included as project components. That said, NIH policy may allow certain types of unfunded international collaborations or unfunded foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, as long as they fit within NIH rules and do not involve funding a foreign entity through the award.
Administratively, this opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health as a grant mechanism within the Health funding activity category. The listed eligible applicants are small businesses, and applications are expected to follow the STTR R41/R42 structure: an R41 phase generally focused on feasibility and establishing proof-of-concept, and an R42 phase generally focused on expanded R and D efforts that move the technology closer to commercialization. The opportunity’s original closing date is April 5, 2027, and the record shows a creation date of May 28, 2026. Specific award ceiling and expected award counts are not provided in the supplied source data, so applicants typically need to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) text for budget guidance, participating NIH components, submission dates, and any institute-specific considerations.
Overall, PA-27-102 is meant for U.S. small businesses that have a commercially relevant biomedical innovation and a committed nonprofit research partner, and that want NIH support to generate the technical and, when relevant, clinical evidence needed to de-risk the product and position it for successful entry into the marketplace. For final eligibility details and any special requirements, applicants are directed to Section III (Eligibility Information) of the full NOFO.Apply for PA 27 102
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.313, 93.350, 93.351, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-04-05.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIH Parent STTR (R41/R42) Clinical Trial Optional (PA-27-102)
What is the NIH Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant opportunity PA-27-102?
PA-27-102 is an NIH discretionary funding opportunity under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. It is designed to help U.S. small business concerns move promising scientific and technical innovations toward commercialization by formally partnering with a nonprofit research institution. The goal is to bridge early discovery and a market-ready product by combining small business product-development capabilities with nonprofit research expertise.
What does "Parent STTR" mean in this announcement?
"Parent" STTR means the opportunity is broadly applicable across many biomedical and behavioral research areas that NIH supports, rather than being limited to a single disease area or narrow topic. It is associated with multiple NIH Institutes and Centers (reflected by a long list of CFDA numbers), so applicants typically need to check the full NOFO text for participating components and any institute-specific considerations.
What funding mechanism and phases does PA-27-102 use?
This opportunity uses the standard STTR phased mechanism: R41 and R42. R41 generally supports an initial feasibility stage (proof-of-concept), and R42 generally supports subsequent development-stage work to advance the technology closer to commercialization.
Are clinical trials allowed under PA-27-102?
Yes. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning projects may include clinical trials when appropriate, but clinical trials are not required for all applications.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition. The applicant organization must be located in the United States.
Do applicants need a research partner to apply?
Yes. A central requirement of STTR is a formal collaboration between the small business concern and a nonprofit research institution (such as a university, nonprofit institute, or other eligible nonprofit research organization). This structured partnership is a defining feature of STTR.
Can a foreign organization apply for this opportunity?
No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) cannot apply under this opportunity.
Can a U.S. organization include non-U.S. components as part of the project?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to be included as project components for this specific opportunity.
Is any international collaboration allowed at all?
Potentially, certain types of unfunded international collaborations or unfunded foreign components may be allowable under NIH policy, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, as long as they comply with NIH rules and do not involve funding a foreign entity through the award.
What kinds of projects does PA-27-102 support?
The program supports work ranging from early proof-of-concept and feasibility studies through later-stage research and development activities needed to advance a technology toward a commercial product. Examples described for typical projects include prototype development, validation and verification testing, iterative engineering, preclinical development, and other translational steps that reduce technical risk and make an innovation more attractive for investment, partnerships, regulatory progression, and deployment in real-world healthcare settings.
What is the main purpose of STTR funding under this announcement?
The main purpose is to de-risk a commercially relevant biomedical innovation by generating technical evidence (and, when relevant, clinical evidence) needed to move the technology toward commercialization, using a formal small business and nonprofit research institution partnership.
Is this opportunity limited to a specific disease area or NIH institute?
Based on the information provided, it is broadly applicable across many NIH-supported biomedical and behavioral research areas, rather than being limited to a single topic area. Applicants are typically expected to consult the full NOFO text for participating NIH Institutes and Centers and any institute-specific details.
Which federal agency is offering PA-27-102?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a grant mechanism within the Health funding activity category.
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number) for this program?
The funding opportunity number is PA-27-102.
What is the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is April 5, 2027.
When was this opportunity record created?
The record shows a creation date of May 28, 2026.
Are award ceilings and expected number of awards provided in the supplied information?
No. The supplied source data does not provide a specific award ceiling or expected award counts. Applicants are typically expected to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for budget guidance and related details.
Where should applicants look for final eligibility details and any special requirements?
Applicants are directed to Section III (Eligibility Information) of the full NOFO for final eligibility details and any special requirements.
Where can applicants find SBA guidance on the definition of a small business concern?
The opportunity references SBA guidance available at sbir.gov/apply for applicants seeking details on the SBA definition and related small business eligibility information.
What types of organizations count as eligible nonprofit research institutions for the STTR partnership?
The information provided describes eligible partners as nonprofit research institutions such as a university, nonprofit institute, or other eligible nonprofit research organization.
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