The following categories of applicants are invited to apply:

• United States Small Business Concerns (SBCs) — for‑profit entities with a US place of business, operating primarily in the US or contributing significantly to the US economy; not more than 500 employees including affiliates
• SBCs majority‑owned and controlled (>50%) by U.S. individuals (citizens or permanent resident aliens), or by other SBCs so owned/controlled, or by an Indian tribe, Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), or Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) (or a wholly owned entity of such) — SBIR/STTR ownership path
• SBCs majority‑owned (>50%) by multiple venture capital operating companies (VCOCs), hedge funds, or private equity firms — SBIR‑only ownership path (no single VCOC/HF/PE may own >50% unless that single firm itself qualifies as an SBC >50% owned/controlled by U.S. individuals)
• Joint ventures of eligible SBCs — each venturing entity must independently meet an allowed SBIR/STTR ownership path; joint ventures must have <50% participation by foreign business entities; if JV includes VC‑owned concerns, comply with 13 CFR §121.705(b)

• National Institutes of Health

• Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): SBIR/STTR Program Priorities to Bridge Gaps in Advancing the NIMH Mission
• Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose
• Late-Stage Translation of Biomedical and Behavioral Research Results in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases from Academic/Non-profit Lab to Marketplace (SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose
• PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)