NIH SBIR Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award — PA-27-101

Open NIH Phase IIB SBIR opportunity for U.S. small businesses that previously received a qualifying NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II award. The next standard due date is January 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM applicant-local time. Strong later-stage health-technology commercialization potential, but a 100% third-party funding match is mandatory.

FundingComponent-specific Phase IIB limits. Examples in the revised NOFO include up to $15 million for NCI, $4.5 million for NHLBI and NIAAA, and $3 million for several participating NIH institutes. Total support may not exceed $30 million. A 100% third-party funding match is mandatory.

DeadlineNext standard due date: January 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Subsequent standard due dates continue through April 5, 2029. No late applications are accepted.

Last verifiedSeptember 13, 2026

Required next actionConfirm a qualifying prior NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II award for the same project, verify that the application falls within the first six due dates after the Phase II budget period, confirm U.S. small-business and PI eligibility, and secure documented third-party matching funds of at least 100% of the NIH amount requested before advancing.

Broad Eligibility

Only U.S. small business concerns with a qualifying prior NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II award may apply. The applicant must satisfy SBA small-business requirements, required federal and NIH registrations, Phase IIB timing rules, PI employment requirements, and the mandatory 100% third-party funding match.

Atlas Analysis

NIH is accepting applications under PA-27-101, the Small Business Innovation Research Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award for eligible U.S. small businesses advancing previously NIH-funded SBIR or STTR Phase II technologies toward commercialization.

Next standard deadline: January 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Subsequent standard dates continue through April 5, 2029, and no late applications are accepted.

Funding: Phase IIB support is component-specific. The revised NOFO lists examples including up to $15 million for NCI, $4.5 million for NHLBI and NIAAA, and $3 million for several participating institutes including NIA, NIAID, NICHD, NIDDK, NIGMS, NIMH and NINDS. Total support may not exceed $30 million, the project period may not exceed four years, and applicants must demonstrate at least a 100% third-party funding match.

Eligibility: Only qualifying U.S. small business concerns that previously received an NIH SBIR or STTR Phase II award may apply. Applicants should generally submit within the first six due dates following expiration of the Phase II budget period. Required registrations include SAM/UEI, Grants.gov and eRA Commons, and the PD/PI must meet NIH SBIR employment requirements.

Atlas fit: Strong for later-stage medical-device, digital-health or related healthcare technology R&D when the applicant has the qualifying NIH Phase II history, a commercialization-ready project, and verified matching capital. For the Nonagon N9+ device and platform, the fit is conditional on a legitimate prior NIH Phase II project and a scientifically responsive later-stage R&D or clinical-validation plan. This is not a routine product-deployment grant.

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