Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 20 265
The PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications, listed as PA 20-265, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to support U.S. small businesses that want to pursue early-stage research and development in partnership with a research institution. It sits under the broader NIH STTR program structure and uses the standard STTR mechanisms R41 (Phase I) and R42 (Phase II). The core purpose is to help small business concerns (SBCs) translate innovative scientific ideas into technologies, products, and services that align with the research and development missions of NIH awarding components, while also leveraging the expertise and resources of a collaborating nonprofit research institution.
A key feature of this announcement is that it is a "Parent" STTR solicitation, meaning it is not limited to one narrow disease area or one specialized initiative. Instead, it provides an umbrella pathway for applicants to submit proposals across a wide range of NIH-relevant topics, as long as the work fits within the scope of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. Applicants are expected to align their proposals with the specific research topic areas referenced through the NIH, CDC, and FDA SBIR/STTR program descriptions and topic listings (noted in the opportunity text as PHS 2019-2 SBIR/STTR Program Descriptions and Research Topics). In practice, this means the solicitation is broad, but not unfocused: the proposed project still needs to map clearly onto an identified topic area and the mission priorities of the relevant NIH component.
This particular Parent FOA explicitly does not allow clinical trials. That restriction is important because it shapes what kinds of human-focused research can be proposed. Projects may still be clinical in orientation in the general sense (for example, developing diagnostics, devices, therapeutics, software, or platforms meant for healthcare settings), but the application cannot include a clinical trial as defined by NIH policy. Applicants who need to run a clinical trial must look for a different FOA that allows clinical trials, because submitting a clinical trial under this one would make the application noncompliant.
Eligibility is centered on U.S. small businesses. The eligible applicant type is small businesses, specifically United States small business concerns that meet STTR program requirements. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as applicant organizations under this FOA. However, the announcement notes that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in some circumstances. In plain terms, the awardee must be a qualifying U.S. small business, but certain parts of the work might be performed with foreign involvement if NIH rules permit and if it is well-justified, though the solicitation makes clear that non-domestic entities cannot be the applicant.
From an administrative and classification standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program (not a contract), offered by NIH. The activity categories tied to this opportunity are broad and span areas such as health, education, environment, food and nutrition, and income security/social services, reflecting how NIH-supported innovations can intersect with multiple public-impact domains. The solicitation is associated with many CFDA (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) numbers (now commonly referenced under Assistance Listings), indicating participation across multiple NIH programs and Institutes and Centers. The opportunity was created on July 14, 2020, and the original closing date listed is April 5, 2021. The funding notice does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the excerpt provided, which usually means applicants must rely on NIH STTR budget guidance and any Institute- or topic-specific limitations referenced in the full FOA and related policy documents.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a major entry point for U.S. small businesses that want to develop NIH-relevant innovations through the STTR model, where collaboration with a research institution is a defining element, and where the supported R and D must stop short of conducting a clinical trial under this specific announcement. The strongest applications are typically those that clearly define the technical innovation, justify the public health or biomedical relevance to NIH priorities, demonstrate a credible path from feasibility (Phase I) to further development (Phase II), and show that the small business and its partnering research institution have the combined expertise, resources, and execution plan to move the technology toward real-world impact without proposing a disallowed clinical trial component.Apply for PA 20 265
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.307, 93.350, 93.351, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-07-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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FAQs: NIH STTR Parent Omnibus Solicitation (PHS 2020-2), PA-20-265
What is PA-20-265 (PHS 2020-2 Omnibus Solicitation) in plain terms?
PA-20-265 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. It supports early-stage research and development led by a U.S. small business, carried out in partnership with a nonprofit research institution, to move innovative ideas toward technologies, products, or services aligned with NIH mission priorities.
Is this an SBIR or an STTR opportunity?
This opportunity is an STTR solicitation. A defining feature is the required collaboration between the small business concern (SBC) and a partnering nonprofit research institution.
What funding mechanisms (grant types) does this opportunity use?
The solicitation uses the standard NIH STTR mechanisms: R41 (Phase I) and R42 (Phase II).
What is the main purpose of this STTR Parent solicitation?
The main purpose is to help U.S. small businesses translate innovative scientific ideas into technologies, products, and services that fit within the research and development missions of participating NIH awarding components, while leveraging the expertise and resources of a collaborating nonprofit research institution.
What does it mean that this is a "Parent" STTR solicitation?
It means the funding opportunity is broad and serves as an umbrella pathway rather than targeting one narrow disease area or single initiative. Applicants can propose projects across a wide range of NIH-relevant topics, as long as the work fits within the scope and priorities of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
If it is broad, do applicants still need to align with specific NIH topics?
Yes. Even though it is an omnibus (broad) solicitation, proposals are expected to align with research topic areas referenced through NIH, CDC, and FDA SBIR/STTR program descriptions and topic listings (noted as PHS 2019-2 SBIR/STTR Program Descriptions and Research Topics) and map clearly to the mission priorities of the relevant NIH component.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. This Parent FOA explicitly does not allow clinical trials. Applications that include a clinical trial (as defined by NIH policy) would be noncompliant under this announcement.
Can a project still be "clinical" in orientation without being a clinical trial?
Yes. Projects can be aimed at healthcare use cases (for example, diagnostics, devices, therapeutics, software, or platforms) as long as the application does not include a clinical trial component as defined by NIH.
What should applicants do if their project requires a clinical trial?
They should look for a different funding opportunity announcement (FOA) that allows clinical trials, because this one does not.
Who is eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
Eligible applicants are United States small business concerns (SBCs) that meet STTR program requirements. The awardee must be a qualifying U.S. small business.
Can a foreign organization be the primary applicant?
No. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant under this FOA.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations allowed to apply?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations under this FOA.
Is any foreign involvement allowed at all?
Potentially. The announcement notes that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in some circumstances. In practice, the applicant must be a qualifying U.S. small business, but certain parts of the work might involve foreign components if NIH rules permit and the involvement is well-justified.
Is this opportunity a grant or a contract?
This is a discretionary grant program offered by NIH, not a contract.
What kinds of topic areas or impact domains does this opportunity relate to?
The activity categories tied to this opportunity are broad and span areas such as health, education, environment, food and nutrition, and income security/social services, reflecting how NIH-supported innovations can intersect with multiple public-impact domains.
Does the excerpt provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The excerpt provided does not list an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. In situations like this, applicants typically rely on NIH STTR budget guidance and any Institute- or topic-specific limitations referenced in the full FOA and related policy documents.
When was this funding opportunity created, and what closing date is listed?
The opportunity was created on July 14, 2020, and the original closing date listed is April 5, 2021.
What makes an application a strong fit for PA-20-265 based on the description provided?
Strong-fit applications typically (1) clearly define the technical innovation, (2) justify public health or biomedical relevance to NIH priorities, (3) show a credible path from feasibility (Phase I) to further development (Phase II), and (4) demonstrate that the small business and partnering research institution together have the expertise, resources, and execution plan to move the technology toward real-world impact without proposing a disallowed clinical trial.
Why is the research institution partnership emphasized in this program?
Because the STTR model is built around collaboration. The intent is to combine the small business commercialization focus with the expertise and resources of a nonprofit research institution to advance early-stage R&D toward practical outcomes that align with NIH missions.
How should applicants think about NIH alignment for this Parent FOA?
Applicants should ensure the proposed work fits within the scope of participating NIH Institutes and Centers and aligns with the referenced SBIR/STTR program descriptions and topic listings. The solicitation is broad, but the project still needs a clear home within NIH mission and topic priorities.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Successor-in-Interest (Type 6 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 20 275 Funding Number: PA 20 275 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) Apply for PA 21 051 Funding Number: PA 21 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 21 050 Funding Number: PA 21 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31-Diversity) Apply for PA 21 052 Funding Number: PA 21 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) Apply for PA 21 049 Funding Number: PA 21 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) Apply for PA 21 048 Funding Number: PA 21 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 038 Funding Number: PAR 21 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 071 Funding Number: PA 21 071 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 21 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 21 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 169 Funding Number: PAR 21 169 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 173 Funding Number: PAR 21 173 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Understanding and Addressing the Impact of Structural Racism and Discrimination on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 21 004 Funding Number: RFA MD 21 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 155 Funding Number: PAR 21 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Change of Recipient Organization (Type 7 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 268 Funding Number: PA 21 268 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2021-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 262 Funding Number: PA 21 262 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2021-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 259 Funding Number: PA 21 259 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2021-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH and CDC for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 21 260 Funding Number: PA 21 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Knockout Mouse Phenotyping Project Data Coordination Center and Database (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 21 037 Funding Number: RFA HG 21 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Knockout Mouse Production and Phenotyping Project (UM1) Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA HG 21 036 Funding Number: RFA HG 21 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Small Businesses-SBIR/STTR (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 345 Funding Number: PA 21 345 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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