NIH Highlighted Topic: Characterizing Indoor Exposures to Advance Exposome Research

Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants to better understand the indoor environment as part of the exposome: exposure patterns across indoor settings, their major sources, and how much they contribute to overall exposure and health burden.

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People spend roughly 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors, yet assessment tools cover only a few commonly studied pollutants and most studies look at single exposures rather than mixtures. That gap creates room for small businesses building sensing, biomarker, and intervention technology through the NIH SBIR program.

Key dates and funding

• Next SBIR due dates: January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of your organization)
• Application route: NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR (R43/R44), PA-27-100, Clinical Trial Optional
• Project period: normally up to 6 months for Phase I and up to 2 years for Phase II
• Topic window: NIH lists this Highlighted Topic through July 9, 2028, so it can support more than one submission cycle

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 vary by participating Institute or Center. Total costs (direct, indirect, and fee) normally stay within these amounts:

• National Institute on Aging (NIA): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): SBA guideline for both phases

Who is eligible?

Only United States small business concerns can apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement. In plain terms, your company must meet these requirements:

• A for-profit business with a place of business in the United States and no more than 500 employees, including affiliates
• Generally more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or by qualifying venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity owners under SBA rules
• The Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project
• No foreign organizations, foreign components, or foreign subawards (unfunded foreign collaborators and foreign consultants are permitted)
• Companies selected for funding submit the SBA foreign affiliations disclosure during the Just-in-Time process

Focus areas by NIH Institute

NIEHS: exposure technology and mixtures

• Exposure detection and assessment technologies such as novel biomarkers, personal monitors, and chemoinformatic tools
• Characterizing chemical and biological indoor mixtures, including secondary reaction products, in homes, schools, workplaces, and mixed-use buildings
• Metrics and biomarkers for exposure management and interventions such as HEPA filters

NIA: indoor exposures and aging

• Effects on aging and disease, including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
• Settings such as homes, assisted living, nursing homes, and long-term care
• Intervention studies such as air cleaning, ventilation improvements, and moisture remediation

ORWH and THRO

• ORWH: exposure tools, biomarkers, wearable monitors, and computational approaches for women's health, and indoor drivers of autoimmune disease
• THRO: culturally grounded research on indoor exposures in American Indian and Alaska Native communities

How to apply

NIH Highlighted Topics are not funding opportunities on their own. Small businesses apply through the NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100) and write the application to match the interests of at least one participating Institute or Center. Read the full NIH Highlighted Topic before you start.

• Register early: SAM.gov (which issues your UEI and can take six weeks or more), Grants.gov, eRA Commons (a Signing Official plus a PI account with a linked ORCID iD), and the SBA Company Registry (proof of registration is attached to the application)
• Talk to the program officer: the topic lists scientific contacts at NIEHS and NIA, and ORWH and THRO also participate but do not award grants, so their interests must be paired with NIEHS or NIA
• Check the budget: contact the participating Institute or Center early if you plan to request more than the SBA budget guideline
• Submit electronically: through NIH ASSIST, a system-to-system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace by 5:00 PM local time on January 5, 2027 or April 5, 2027

Is this a fit for your company?

This topic suits companies building indoor air quality sensors, wearable or personal exposure monitors, exposure biomarkers, chemoinformatic or analytics software, and air cleaning or ventilation products that need health outcome data. Companies whose product serves older adults in homes or long-term care have a natural match with NIA.

If that sounds like your company, book a free funding fit call with BW&CO. Our team has helped secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding and can tell you quickly whether this topic, and which Institute, is the right target for your January or April submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIH indoor exposures Highlighted Topic a funding opportunity?

No. It is an NIH Highlighted Topic, which signals scientific interest but is not a notice of funding opportunity. Small businesses apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100), with the next due dates on January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.

How much NIH SBIR funding is available for indoor exposure research?

Under PA-27-100, NIA allows up to $700,000 for Phase I and up to $3,000,000 for Phase II. NIEHS follows the SBA guideline for both phases.

Which NIH Institutes participate in the indoor exposures topic?

NIEHS and NIA are the awarding participants. ORWH and THRO also participate but do not award grants.

What technologies does NIH want for indoor exposure research?

NIEHS lists novel biomarkers, personal monitors, chemoinformatic tools, and metrics for interventions such as HEPA filters. NIA encourages intervention studies such as air cleaning, ventilation improvements, and moisture remediation.

Who is eligible to apply through NIH SBIR?

U.S. for-profit small businesses with no more than 500 employees, majority owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or qualifying investors under SBA rules), whose Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the company. Foreign organizations and foreign subawards are not allowed.

Can BW&CO help with an NIH SBIR application for this topic?

Yes. BW&CO helps small businesses choose the right NIH Institute, align the Specific Aims with the Highlighted Topic, and build a competitive SBIR application. The firm has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.