Small Business Innovative Research

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program within the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is designed to stimulate technological innovation and strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting the Department of Defense's (DoD) research and development needs. It encourages participation by minority and disadvantaged individuals in technological innovation and seeks to increase the commercial application of DoD-supported research and development results. The program funds small business proposals that enhance military medical research and information technology research, ensuring alignment with multi-agency science and technology priorities.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, also under the DHA, focuses on expanding public/private sector partnerships by fostering joint ventures between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. A unique feature of this program is its requirement for small businesses to collaborate formally with a research institution during Phase I and Phase II. The primary goal is to bridge the gap between basic science performance and commercialization of resulting innovations, thereby supporting scientific excellence and technological innovation through federal research investments.

In FY 2023, the SBIR program developed several topics for proposals, including wireless core temperature measurement during extreme environmental exposure, portable technology for assessing ankle instability, and extracorporeal life support systems for prolonged field care. These initiatives aimed to enhance military readiness and improve medical outcomes in challenging environments. Similarly, the STTR program sought proposals for developing technologies such as automated detection of circulating miRNAs, rapid detection platforms for multiplexed biomarkers, and electrodermal activity monitoring for predicting central nervous system oxygen toxicity symptoms.

Both programs follow a structured process involving topic submissions to Joint Program Committees (JPCs), evaluations by Technical Evaluation Teams (TETs), and subsequent proposal selections. Phase I contracts are awarded based on technical merits, with opportunities for follow-on Phase II projects. This approach ensures that both SBIR and STTR programs address critical defense health priorities while fostering innovation through collaboration with small businesses and research institutions.