NCI SBIR MATCHUP Program for Trainees

Application Process

Stage 1: Apply to MATCHUP

Email the MATCHUP program manager Melissa Li (melissa.li@nih.gov) expressing your interest to receive an application. Trainee candidates will be screened for eligibility. MATCHUP program manager will invite you to write a biosketch and set up a 15-min screener call.

Stage 2: Partner via MATCHUP

Accepted participants will have specific information posted on a private online platform that will be monitored by NCI SBIR. Accepted participants will have access to the platform to identify potential partners to apply to the Diversity Supplement.

Stage 3: Apply for Diversity Supplement

Partnered companies and candidates are encouraged to meet with their program officer before applying for a Diversity Supplement. Diversity Supplement Applications must be submitted with at least 6 months remaining on the parent award.

What you will get with a Diversity Supplement:

A paid-position at an NCI SBIR- or STTR-funded company and opportunity to gain valuable exposure to the entrepreneurial and biotech industry.

Eligibility Criteria

(based on Diversity Supplement notice of funding opportunity) 

• Candidates at the following career levels are considered:

  • Undergraduate students
  • Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Holders
  • Graduate (Predoctoral) and Health Professional Students:
    • Students who are supported by an institutional Kirschstein-NRSA may not be transferred to supplemental support prior to the completion of their appointed period of training.
  • Individuals in Postdoctoral Training:
    • Individuals in postdoctoral training who are supported by an institutional Kirschstein-NRSA may not be transferred to supplemental support prior to the completion of their appointed period of training.
  • Investigator Developing Independent Research Careers: 
    • An individual who has received previous funding from NIH as an independent PD/PI on a research grant (e.g., R01), as the project leader on a component of a program project or center grant (e.g., P01, P50, G12), or as PD/PI on an individual research career development award (e.g., K01, K02, K07, K08, and K23), or as a Scholar on an Institutional Career Development Award (K12, KL2) is not eligible.
• Candidates are limited to:
  • Citizens
  • Non-citizen nationals of the United States
  • Individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States (i.e., in possession of a Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551)

Frequently Ask Questions

• What are the eligibility criteria for MATCHUP?
  • Eligibility criteria are based on the criteria for the Diversity Supplement.

• What experience are you looking for?
  • Biomedical research experience: Applicants should have research experience in areas like wet lab, computational research, biomedical engineering, etc.
  • Diverse perspectives: MATCHUP values a range of experiences and viewpoints to bring to small businesses.
  • Evidence of interest in entrepreneurship: Experience or evidence of interest in entrepreneurship, such as courses or involvement in student organizations, is desirable.

• Can I apply if I just graduated?
  • Yes - we welcome applications from recent graduates from the undergraduate to investigator level (please see details in the Diversity Supplement).

• When is the application deadline?
  • No deadline - the application process is rolling, as small business grant project periods vary.

• What’s the average timeline for MATCHUP?
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The NCI SBIR will respond within 2 weeks of receiving your application materials (i.e., receipt of application, receipt of biosketch, completion of screener call).

• What is the selection process?
  • We’ll assess your eligibility for the Diversity Supplement and the following criteria:
    • Experience in biomedical research 
    • Diverse perspectives and innovative ideas
    • Interest in entrepreneurship

• What should I expect after submitting the application?
  • After submission, your application will be assessed for eligibility and fit. If selected, you will be invited to write a biosketch and schedule a 15-minute screening call.
  • Once your biosketch is finalized, you will be added to our Trello platform, where you can view potential small business partners. 
  • When you identify a small business that you are interested in meeting, you will email the MATCHUP Program Manager who will facilitate an introduction via email.

• How long can I stay in MATCHUP?
  • You can stay in the program for up to one year until you are matched. At the one-year mark, you will be asked if you would like to continue participating and for any updates to your biosketch.

• What type of small businesses participate in MATCHUP?
  • MATCHUP collaborates with NCI SBIR/STTR awardees- small businesses that are actively developing cancer-related technologies.

• What kind of projects can I work on through MATCHUP?
  • All projects will cover the entire spectrum of cancer technology areas, from therapeutics to digital health. Examples include wet lab experiments for drug development, computational work for software development, engineering for medical device development, etc.

• After partnering through MATCHUP, what’s the duration of a Diversity Supplement?
  • It’s dependent upon the time left in the small business’ project period, but small businesses are required to submit a Diversity Supplement with at least 6 months remaining in their project period.

• After partnering through MATCHUP, what’s the salary provided by a Diversity Supplement?
  • Salary is determined by mutual agreement between you and the small business. 
  • Salary must align with SBC salary policies and reflect the time devoted to the project (i.e., part-time, full-time, duration). For detailed guidance, please refer to the Diversity Supplement.

• Who should I contact if I have questions or issues during the program?
  • Email the MATCHUP Program Manager, Melissa Li at melissa.li@nih.gov.