OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesRFA-HL-26-017

Catalyze: Product Definition for Small Molecules, Biologics and Combination Products - Target Identification and Validation, and Preliminary Product/Lead Series Identification (R61/R33 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Dec 23, 2027(436 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH research grant for early-stage drug and biologic discovery — identifying and validating therapeutic candidates for heart, lung, blood, and sleep diseases — with no clinical trials allowed. It fits small biotech and life-science research organizations; retail, finance, housing, and any business outside therapeutic R&D should not bother applying. The award amount is not published.

Best for
Small biotech and life-science companies working on heart, lung, blood, or sleep therapies, Universities and academic research teams doing early-stage translational research, Nonprofits with drug or biologic discovery programs, Tribal, state, or local government research entities
Not for
Businesses outside healthcare, biotech, or life-science research, Projects that need clinical trials — this program does not allow them, Organizations seeking general operating or commercialization funding rather than early-stage R&D
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
87
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (innovation)
82
Strong Match
Transportation & LogisticsMatches your industry (transit)
70
Good Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Nothing in this notice points to retail & e-commerce
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
R&D, Research
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
December 23, 2027.
Who can apply for this grant?
Small businesses, for-profit companies, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), universities, state, county, city, and special district governments, tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, independent school districts, and certain other entities such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and faith-based organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible, though foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are eligible, but the notice does not spell out whether a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC qualifies on its own.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are both listed as eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education (though private institutions of higher education are separately listed).

Summary

NIH NHLBI Catalyze program supporting early-stage translational research to identify and validate therapeutic candidates (small molecules, biologics, combination products) for heart, lung, blood, and sleep diseases. Open to small businesses, for-profits, universities, nonprofits, and state/local/tribal governments; clinical trials not allowed.

About this grant

The goal of the NHLBI Catalyze Program is to provide a comprehensive suite of support and services to facilitate the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates that have been cleared for human testing, and to develop translational researchers fluent in product development and entrepreneurship. This specific Catalyze Product Definition initiative will provide the early stage translational supportneeded for the activities required to identify and characterize potential therapeutic candidates and combination products to treat HLBS diseases and disorders. This initiative has a companion initiative that supports development of devices and diagnostics and is also part of a suite of innovation grants to advance projects to the point where they can meet the entry criteria for the NHLBI Catalyze Preclinical Program.

Who can apply

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Technology

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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