National Center on Sleep Disorders Research

 

The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) supports research and research training related to sleep disordered breathing, and the fundamental functions of sleep and circadian rhythms. The center also stewards several forums that facilitate the coordination of sleep research across NIH, other federal agencies and outside organizations, including the Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board and an NIH-wide Sleep Research Coordinating Committee. The center also participates in the translation of new sleep research findings for dissemination to health care professionals and the public. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To stimulate technological innovation; use small business to meet Federal research and development needs; foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged persons; and increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate technological innovation; foster technology transfer through cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions, and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.233
Federal Agency/Office
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 The estimates for fiscal year 2016 are 90 research grants and 11 National Research Service Awards. 95 research grants and 13 National Research Service Awards.
Fiscal Year 2019 The estimates for fiscal year 2019 are 107 research grants and 23 National Research Service Awards.
Fiscal Year 2023 The estimates for fiscal year 2023 are 176 research grants and 25 National Research Service Awards.
Authorization
NIH Reauthorization Act of 1993, Public Health Service Act, Section 503: Subpart 2, Part C, Title IV, Section 424, 42 U.S.C. 285b et seq.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Any nonprofit organization engaged in biomedical research and institutions or companies organized for profit may apply for almost any kind of grant. Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions may apply for NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants. An individual may apply for an NRSA or, in some cases, for a research grant if adequate facilities to perform the research are available. SBIR grants can be awarded only to United States small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, or owned by another small business that itself is independently owned and operated for profit or owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, private equity firms, or any combination of these, and have no more than 500 employees including affiliates). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. or its possessions except under rare and unique circumstances where foreign components are thoroughly justified and necessary to the overall completion of the project. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. Normally, SBIR projects are generally performed at least 67% by the applicant small business in Phase I and at least 50% of the Project in Phase II. STTR grants can be awarded only to United States small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit and have no more than 500 employees) that formally collaborate with a university or other non-profit research institution in cooperative research and development. The principal investigator of an STTR award may be employed with either the small business concern or collaborating non-profit research institution as long as s/he has a formal appointment with or commitment to the applicant small business concern and is willing to devote at least 10% effort (1.2 calendar months) to the project. At least 40% of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30% by the non-profit research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions except under rare and unique circumstances where foreign components are thoroughly justified and necessary to the overall completion of the project.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any nonprofit or for-profit organization, company or institution engaged in biomedical research. Only domestic for-profit small business firms may apply for SBIR and STTR programs.
Credentials/Documentation
Individual NRSA awardees and Institutional NRSA trainees must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States, or have been admitted for permanent residency. Two levels of training are available: graduate level predoctoral training and postdoctoral training. All potential trainees must possess a desire for training in one of the health or health-related areas specified by the National Institutes of Health. Each applicant must be sponsored by an accredited public or private nonprofit institution engaged in such training. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For-profit organization costs are determined in accordance with Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. For other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with DHHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart Q. For SBIR and STTR grants, the applicant organization (small business concern) must present a research plan that has potential for commercialization and furnish evidence that scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan. SBIR and STTR applicants must use the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) application for electronic submission through grants.gov. Electronic submission of NIH Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR) apply for non-competing continuations (e.g., second year of Phase II). OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Grant applications are submitted electronically. Visit the following link to obtain application information and instructions (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm )
Award Procedure
All accepted applications are evaluated by an appropriate initial review group (study section). All grant applications receive a final secondary review by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council. Staff informs applicants of the results of the review. If support is contemplated, staff initiates preparation of awards for grants. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
More than 180 days. Regular Grants: From 7 to 9 months. SBIR/STTR Grants: About 7-1/2 to 9 months.
Appeals
A principal investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available in the NIH Guide at the following URL http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html.
Renewals
More than 180 days. Renewal applications are reviewed in the same manner as new applications.
How are proposals selected?
The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the importance of the problem the proposed research will address; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; (8) the adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will be evaluated; and (9) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (8) The adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will be evaluated; and (9) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.
How may assistance be used?
Grants may support stipends, research expenses, supplies, travel, and research training tuition as required to perform the research effort. Restrictions or limitations are imposed against the use of funds for entertainment, foreign travel, general-purpose equipment, alterations and renovations, and other items not regularly required for the performance of research. Individual predoctoral and postdoctoral national research service awards (NRSAs) are made directly to individuals through their universities for research training in heart and vascular diseases. NRSA awards may be made to eligible institutions to enable them to appoint individuals selected by the institution for research training. Certain service and payback provisions may apply to postdoctoral individuals upon termination of the award or termination of the appointment. SBIR Phase I awards (of approximately 6 to 12 months in duration) are to establish the scientific and technical merit of the proposed research effort, and feasibility of ideas that appear to have commercial potential. Direct to Phase II SBIR awards are for projects that have been developed beyond the feasibility phase using resources other than NIH Phase I awards that meet program needs and exhibit potential for commercial application. SBIR Phase IIB awards are for promising projects that require additional time and funding to advance to commercialization as well as ultimate approval or clearance by a Federal regulatory agency . The Phase IIB program promotes partnerships between previously funded SBIR or STTR Phase II awardees and third-party investors and/or strategic partners by encouraging matching contributions. STTR Phase I awards (normally of 6 to 12 months in duration) are to establish the scientific and technical merit of the proposed cooperative research effort between a small business and non-profit research institution, and feasibility of ideas that appear to have commercial potential. Phase II awards are for the continuation of research initiated in Phase I that meets particular program needs and exhibits potential for commercial application. Fast-Track is an option whereby Phase I and Phase II SBIR or STTR projects are submitted and reviewed concurrently with the aim of reducing or eliminating the funding gap between Phase I and Phase II. The SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program awards facilitate the transition of previously or currently funded SBIR and STTR Phase II and Phase IIB projects to the commercialization phase by providing additional support for technical assistance and later stage research and development activities not typically supported through Phase II or Phase IIB grants or contracts including replication of key studies, Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies, clinical studies, manufacturing costs, regulatory assistance or a combination of services. While the intent of the SBIR/STTR programs is commercialization (Phase III), only SBIR/STTR technical and business assistance (TABA) funds are allowed to be used for commercialization activities such as intellectual property protections; market and sales; market research; business development/product development/market plans; legal fees, travel and other costs including labor relating to license agreements and partnerships. The remaining SBIR/STTR funds are for research and development purposes only and exclude these commercialization activities. Discretionary funds are available. Administrative supplements to improve the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting and supporting students, post-doctorates, and eligible investigators from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research or in the SBIR/STTR program are available for awardees.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.
Records
Grantees generally must retain financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records that are required by the terms of a grant, or may reasonably be considered pertinent to a grant, for a period of 3 years from the date the annual FSR is submitted. For awards under SNAP (other than those to foreign organizations and Federal institutions), the 3-year retention period will be calculated from the date the FSR for the entire competitive segment is submitted. Those grantees must retain the records pertinent to the entire competitive segment for 3 years from the date the FSR is submitted to NIH. Foreign organizations and Federal institutions must retain records for 3 years from the date of submission of the annual FSR to NIH. See 45 CFR 74.53 and 92.42 for exceptions and qualifications to the 3-year retention requirement (e.g., if any litigation, claim, financial management review, or audit is started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims, or audit findings involving the records have been resolved and final action taken). Those sections also specify the retention period for other types of grant-related records, including F&A cost proposals and property records. See 45 CFR 74.48 and 92.36 for record retention and access requirements for contracts under grants. In accordance with 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 74.53(e), the HHS Inspector General, the U.S. Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives have the right of timely and unrestricted access to any books, documents, papers, or other records of recipients that are pertinent to awards in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, transcripts, and copies of such documents. This right also includes timely and reasonable access to a recipient's personnel records for the purpose of interview and discussion related to such documents. The rights of access are not limited to the required retention period, but shall last as long as records are retained.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The NHLBI Advisory Council may recommend funding for periods typically ranging from 1 to 7 years. Funding commitments are made annually. SBIR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 to 12 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 to 12 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. Award length may vary depending on the recommendation of the scientific review group, the national advisory council, successful annual performance, and availability of funds. A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
Since Sleep Disorders Research Program is now integrated into the Cardiovascular, Lung and Blood Diseases Research Programs, all funding related to sleep research have already been reported under the respective programs.
Headquarters Office
Dana A. Phares, Ph.D.
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7176
Bethesda, MD 20892 US
pharesda@nhlbi.nih.gov
Phone: 301-827-7968
Website Address
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/scientific-divisions/national-center-sleep-disorders-research.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0872-0-1-552
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$93,980,398.00; FY 23 est $93,202,075.00; FY 24 est $93,202,100.00; FY 21$79,620,784.00; FY 20$80,618,351.00; - (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants: $1 to $2,646,760: $472,263. SBIR Phase I - $319,423; Phase II - up to $842,197; STTR Phase I - $254,877
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
42 CFR 52; 42 CFR 66; 45 CFR 74; "NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, and Supplements"; Grants will be available under the authority of and administered in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 42 USC 241; Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Applications; Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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