The application period is closed. Please check back in Fall 2025.
View a recording of the informational webinar.
The NCI SBIR/STTR Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) helps small businesses apply for Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. This 16-week program will provide structured training and customized assistance within two stages:
- In Stage 1, participants will receive guidance and instruction in entrepreneurship, value proposition hypothesis testing, and customer discovery.
- 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 that are deemed complete, compliant, competitive, and responsive to all review criteria.
After successfully completing the two stages, participating small businesses will receive post-submission support services to aid in tasks such as evaluating summary statements, consulting with an NCI Program Director, and preparing for resubmission.
STEP provides support and guidance to small businesses at no cost. NOTE: The participating small businesses are responsible for putting together their application and required documentation.
Eligibility
To be considered for STEP, applicants must have a small business established in the US and have not received an NIH SBIR/STTR award in the last 10 years. Participants should have technologies that align with the major NCI SBIR/STTR research topics:
- Therapeutics (e.g., Small Molecules, Biologics, Radiomodulators, and Cell-based Therapies)
- InVitro and InVivo Diagnostics (e.g., Companion Diagnostics and Prognostic Technologies)
- Imaging Technologies (e.g., Agents, Devices, and Image-Guided Interventions)
- Devices for Cancer Therapy (e.g., Interventional Devices, Surgical, and
- Radiation and Ablative Therapies, Hospital Devices)
- Agents and Technologies for Cancer Prevention
- Technologies for Cancer Control (e.g., Behavioral Health Interventions, Tools for Genetic, Epidemiologic, Behavioral, Social, and/or Surveillance Cancer Research)
- Tools for Cancer Biology Research
- Digital Health Tools and Software Platforms for Cancer-Related Technologies
Further information on eligibility can be found on the application portal webpage.
Frequently Answered Questions
Can I apply for STEP if I’m considering submitting a Fast-Track or Direct-to-Phase II application?
- No. STEP only supports companies that are submitting a Phase I.
Can I submit more than one STEP application at the same time?
- No. We allow only one STEP application per company per cycle.
Can I apply for STEP if I have previously participated in related NIH programs (i.e., NIAID AAP, NIA SNAP)?
- Yes, you can apply for STEP. We will prioritize companies that have never received assistance before.
I have a product that could align with the mission of multiple institutes, including the NCI. Should I apply to STEP?
- Yes, as long as your proposed project is focused on cancer.
Do I need to participate in STEP before submitting a Phase I application?
- No, there is no prerequisite to submit a Phase I SBIR/STTR application.
Do I receive funding if accepted into STEP?
- No. While STEP does not provide funding, STEP provides customized assistance and structured training free of charge to participants.
I have participated in a customer discovery program like I-Corps at NIH before. Do I still need to participate in Stage 1 of STEP?
- Yes. If selected as a STEP participant, you must participate in Stage 1 before transitioning to Stage 2.
What is the time commitment of participating in NCI STEP?
- Participants are expected to spend 10-25 hours per week working on customer interviews in Stage 1 and developing their Phase I SBIR/STTR application in Stage 2.
Can I apply for STEP if I have submitted a Phase I SBIR/STTR before but was unsuccessful?
- Yes, if you have not received an NIH SBIR/STTR award in the past 10 years, you are eligible to apply. You are allowed to apply to STEP with plans for a resubmission.