About the Program

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) is designed to assist small businesses with an interest in preparing and submitting an SBIR/STTR application to NCI.

The goal of STEP is to increase small business participation and private-sector commercialization of novel technologies that can prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. Through this multi-stage program, NCI aims to improve access to SBIR/STTR funding by 1) enabling small businesses to better define value proposition through customer discovery, 2) successfully submit, and 3) resubmit, if applicable, competitive applications to NCI SBIR/STTR.

Please note that a for-profit company must be established prior to applying for STEP. STEP is NOT available to companies who have a current SBIR/STTR application under review with the same scope of work or to support preparation of a Fast Track, Phase II, or Direct-to-Phase II application. You may be removed from the program if deemed ineligible.

Program Outline

STEP services are FREE to the small businesses who are accepted into the program. STEP coaches from Eva Garland Consulting will provide structured training and customized assistance to the STEP participants across 2 stages:

  • In Stage 1, participants will receive guidance and instruction in entrepreneurship, value proposition hypothesis testing, and customer discovery. Over a 6-week period, NCI STEP participants will develop a business model and interview stakeholders such as potential users, purchasers, and partners to validate hypotheses of their value proposition. Participants will validate their value proposition to better prepare for a Phase I SBIR/STTR application (e.g., confirming indication, refining target market, etc.).
  • In Stage 2, participants will receive guidance and feedback on registration procedures, and assistance with timelines, grant writing techniques, budget calculation, and other items to enable participants to ultimately submit NIH SBIR/STTR proposals. Over a 10-week period, NCI STEP participants will prepare their applications, with the support of customized coaching using the book Winning SBIR/STTR Grants: A Ten Week Plan for Preparing Your NIH Phase I Application 4th Edition as a guide. One free copy of the book will be provided to each participating company.

Note that NCI STEP does not offer grant writing or registration or submission services. The responsibility to write and submit the grant application including all required documentation remains with the applicants.

Who is Eligible

You must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • The company has not received an NIH SBIR/STTR award.*
  • The company does not have a current NIH SBIR/STTR application under review with the same scope of work.
  • The company intends to submit a Phase I NIH SBIR/STTR application for April 5, 2025.
  • The research area of interest aligns with the mission of NCI (Note: NCI’s mission is to lead, conduct, and support cancer research across the nation to advance scientific knowledge and help all people live longer, healthier lives).
  • The company is seeking support for the preparation of a Phase I SBIR or STTR application only. Fast Track, Phase II or Direct-to-Phase II applicants are not eligible.
  • The company must be established in the US prior to applying for STEP.
  • Each company may submit only one application to STEP.

* Companies who received their most recent SBIR/STTR award prior to 2015 may be considered for the STEP.

Key Dates (April 5, 2025 cohort)

  • Submission Portal Opens:  October 3, 2024
  • Submission Portal Closes: Friday, November 1, 2024, 5:00 pm ET
  • NIH STEP outreach webinar: October 8, 2024, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm ET, Register Here
  • NIH STEP Q&A Webinar: October 22, 2024, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm, ET, Register Here
  • STEP Applications Due: Friday, November 1, 2024, 5:00 pm ET
  • Applicant status notifications:  November 13, 2024
  • Participant letter of acceptance return date to secure program spot: November 15, 2024
  • STEP Stage 1: November 18, 2024-January 10, 2025 (with break for holidays – December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025)
  • STEP Stage 1 to Stage 2 graduates confirmed: January 10, 2025
  • STEP Stage 2: January 20, 2025 – March 28, 2025
  • SBIR/STTR Submission Deadline: April 5th, 2025

Apply