NIH Highlighted Topic: Advancing Treatment Options using Targeted Degrader Technologies
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging innovative research proposals focused on advancing targeted degrader technologies for the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, ophthalmic diseases, and craniofacial disorders. This highlighted topic supports multidisciplinary efforts to develop next-generation therapeutics capable of selectively degrading disease-associated proteins, RNA, and other pathogenic factors that have historically been difficult to target using traditional drug discovery approaches.
NIH is particularly interested in projects leveraging emerging targeted protein degradation (TPD) platforms such as PROTACs, molecular glues, LYTACs, AbTACs, HyTTDs, RIBOTACs, and antisense-mediated degradation technologies. Companies developing degraders, synthetic biology platforms, computational drug discovery systems, targeted therapeutics, protein engineering technologies, or biomarker discovery tools may be strong candidates for funding.
Areas of interest include selective degradation of toxic proteins, enhancement of proteostasis, degradation of pathogen-associated targets, targeted RNA degradation, druggable target discovery, translational biomarker development, computational modeling of degrader systems, tissue-selective therapeutics, synthetic biology approaches, and novel delivery strategies. NIH is also encouraging projects incorporating organoids, microphysiological systems, AI-enabled drug design, and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to improve efficacy, pharmacokinetics, tumor penetration, selectivity, and safety profiles.
Funding is available through the NIH SBIR/STTR Program, which currently provides up to approximately $323,090 for Phase I projects and up to $2,153,927 for Phase II projects, with opportunities for additional commercialization and follow-on funding depending on project scope and translational impact.
This highlighted topic is supported by multiple NIH Institutes and Centers including the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Eye Institute (NEI), and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), all of which are seeking transformative innovations that improve therapeutic targeting, drug development, and treatment outcomes across multiple disease areas.
How much funding would I receive?
Awards provide up to $323,090 for Phase I projects (up to 2 years) and $2,153,927 for Phase II projects (up to 3 years). Some topics approved by NIH may exceed these limits. Fast-Track and Phase IIB (follow-on) options allow continuous or extended funding beyond Phase II.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding may support the research, development, validation, and commercialization of targeted degrader technologies, therapeutic platforms, computational drug discovery systems, and biomarker solutions.
Eligible activities may include:
PROTAC, LYTAC, AbTAC, HyTTD, and molecular glue therapeutic development
RNA-targeted degrader technologies such as RIBOTACs
AI and machine learning platforms for degrader discovery and optimization
Computational modeling and predictive therapeutic design systems
Biomarker discovery and translational therapeutic monitoring tools
Targeted therapeutics for cancer, infectious disease, ophthalmic disease, and neurodegenerative disorders
Synthetic biology and protein engineering platforms
High-throughput degrader screening and validation systems
Drug delivery technologies for tissue-selective and targeted therapeutics
Organ-on-chip, organoid, and microphysiological disease modeling systems
Protein aggregation and proteostasis research platforms
Pharmacokinetic, toxicity, and absorption optimization technologies
Therapeutics targeting viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or prion-associated disease mechanisms
Craniofacial and dental therapeutic development technologies
Novel linker chemistry and drug conjugation systems
Prototype development, translational studies, and preclinical validation research
Commercialization planning, regulatory preparation, and manufacturing scale-up activities
Funding may also support personnel, laboratory testing, medicinal chemistry, synthetic biology research, AI model development, cloud computing infrastructure, bioinformatics analysis, preclinical studies, intellectual property protection, regulatory strategy, and commercialization activities necessary to advance a scalable and commercially viable biotechnology or therapeutic solution aligned with NIH priorities.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond the formal funding award, awardees gain several strategic advantages:
Government Validation and Credibility:
Being selected for an NIH-backed SBIR grant signals technical excellence and alignment with national health and biomedical priorities. This validation builds investor and partner confidence.Enhanced Visibility and Market Recognition:
Awardees are featured in NIH and HHS announcements, helping attract partnerships, media attention, and future contracting opportunities.Access to the Federal Innovation Ecosystem:
Recipients join a national network of researchers and agencies advancing life science innovation, often opening doors to collaborations with NIH laboratories and federal health programs.Stronger Commercial and Exit Potential:
By maturing technology through nondilutive funding, companies strengthen valuation, de-risk commercialization, and increase attractiveness for acquisition or follow-on private investment.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Applications are accepted each year on January 5th, April 5th, and September 5th. Funding is received approximately 9 months after submission.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with statutory set-asides requiring NIH, CDC, and FDA to devote portions of their extramural R&D budgets (3.2% for SBIR, 0.45% for STTR) to support small business innovation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that:
Are organized for profit with a U.S. place of business.
Have ≤ 500 employees including affiliates.
Are > 50% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, qualifying U.S. entities, or combinations thereof.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Projects that demonstrate:
A clear unmet medical or public-health need,
Strong scientific rationale and feasibility,
High commercialization potential, supported by a realistic market and regulatory strategy, and
Alignment with an NIH Institute’s or CDC/FDA Center’s specific research mission (e.g., infectious disease, digital health, diagnostics, therapeutics, or data analytics).
Competitive applicants often have an early prototype, preliminary data, and a defined path to market adoption.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Companies must complete multiple federal registrations (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SBA Company Registry) before applying.
Foreign entities are not eligible.
Disclosure of foreign affiliations and compliance with national security screening are mandatory. Currently we do not recommend any sort of foreign affiliation.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission will likely take 120–200 hours in total.
How can BW&CO help?
Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:
Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development
Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations
Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth.
