Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 09 024
Apply for RFA HD 09 024
- The National Institutes of Health in the health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Noninvasive Assays of Human Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos (STTR R41)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 1, 2009 and posted on May 1, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 10, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $300,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH funding opportunity "Noninvasive Assays of Human Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos (STTR R41)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HD-09-024) was a discretionary grant program posted on May 1, 2009 by the National Institutes of Health under CFDA 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research). It invited Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) applications from eligible small business concerns, with the goal of developing practical, high-resolution, noninvasive ways to assess single human oocytes (eggs) and preimplantation embryos produced in in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratories. The central emphasis was on creating assays that could help clinicians and embryology labs better predict which oocytes or embryos have the highest developmental potential, without harming or altering them in the process.
The scientific and practical problem behind the announcement is that embryo selection in IVF has often relied on indirect or imperfect indicators, which can lead to transferring multiple embryos to improve the odds of pregnancy. Multiple embryo transfers increase the likelihood of twins or higher-order multiple pregnancies, which are associated with substantially higher health risks for both the mother and the offspring, including prematurity and related complications. This FOA was designed to push the field toward more confident single embryo transfer by supporting technologies that improve selection accuracy. In other words, the program aimed to make it easier for IVF providers to choose one embryo with strong implantation and developmental prospects rather than transferring several embryos as a hedge against uncertainty, thereby improving safety and reducing downstream medical costs linked to adverse outcomes from multiple gestations.
The announcement was specifically seeking "high resolution" and "non invasive" assays that operate at the level of an individual oocyte or a single embryo, rather than bulk measurements that average across multiple samples. The assays were expected to be compatible with real-world IVF lab workflows, which is why the FOA highlighted practical performance and usability requirements. The desired features included rapid turnaround (so results can be used within clinical decision timelines), low expense (to support adoption across clinics and patient populations), simple laboratory manipulations (minimizing specialized steps, extensive training, or disruptive handling), and high accuracy (so the test meaningfully improves embryo selection and outcomes). While the FOA summary does not prescribe a specific technology, the constraints imply that successful projects would likely focus on approaches that can be performed quickly and gently, potentially using imaging, analysis of spent culture media, biophysical or metabolic signatures, or other non-contact/non-destructive measurement strategies, as long as they meet the performance and implementation goals.
From a funding and eligibility standpoint, this opportunity was limited to small businesses and used the STTR R41 mechanism for Phase I, which typically supports early feasibility and proof-of-concept work conducted in partnership with a nonprofit research institution (a defining feature of STTR). The FOA ran in parallel with a separate but scientifically identical NIH announcement (RFA-HD-09-025) that supported the same overall goals through the SBIR program (R43/R44). For this STTR solicitation, the estimated total funding was $300,000, with an award ceiling of $100,000 per award, and there was no cost sharing or matching requirement. The original and current closing date listed was November 10, 2009, with an archive date of December 11, 2009, meaning it was time-limited and is no longer open.
Operationally, the expectation for Phase I under R41 would be that applicants propose a well-defined plan to establish feasibility and generate preliminary data demonstrating that their noninvasive assay can deliver actionable information about oocyte or embryo quality in a way that aligns with IVF clinical timelines and lab practices. The broader impact case built into the FOA was clear: improved embryo and oocyte assessment tools could increase confidence in selecting a single embryo for transfer, reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancies, improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, and lower healthcare costs. The NIH provided an additional information link to the full announcement and listed NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts for access or technical issues related to the posting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Noninvasive Assays of Human Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos (STTR R41)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-HD-09-024.
Which agency offered this grant?
This opportunity was offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Which NIH program area or CFDA listing is associated with it?
The announcement is associated with CFDA 93.865, described as Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
When was the opportunity posted?
It was posted on May 1, 2009.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The closing date listed was November 10, 2009, and the archive date was December 11, 2009, indicating it was time-limited and is no longer open.
What type of grant mechanism was used?
This opportunity used the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism, specifically Phase I under the R41 activity code.
Who was eligible to apply?
It invited Phase I STTR applications from eligible small business concerns. STTR also typically involves a partnership with a nonprofit research institution.
What was the main goal of the program?
The main goal was to support the development of practical, high-resolution, noninvasive assays to assess single human oocytes (eggs) and preimplantation embryos produced in IVF laboratories, helping predict which have the highest developmental potential without harming or altering them.
What problem in IVF practice was this FOA trying to address?
The FOA targeted limitations in embryo selection methods that rely on indirect or imperfect indicators. These limitations can contribute to transferring multiple embryos to improve pregnancy odds, which increases the risk of twins or higher-order multiple pregnancies and related complications.
How does this FOA relate to single embryo transfer?
The FOA was designed to improve selection accuracy so clinicians and embryology labs could more confidently choose a single embryo with strong developmental and implantation prospects, rather than transferring multiple embryos due to uncertainty.
What does "noninvasive" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this context, "noninvasive" refers to assessment approaches that do not harm or alter the oocyte or embryo and avoid destructive or disruptive testing, while still providing useful quality information.
What does "high resolution" mean for the assays being sought?
"High resolution" emphasized assays that work at the level of an individual oocyte or a single embryo, rather than bulk measurements that average signals across multiple samples.
What kinds of samples or targets were the assays meant to assess?
The assays were intended to assess single human oocytes and single preimplantation embryos produced in IVF labs.
Did the FOA prescribe a specific technology approach?
No. The summary did not require a specific technology, but it implied that approaches should be quick and gentle and could include strategies such as imaging, analysis of spent culture media, or biophysical or metabolic signatures, as long as the approach met the performance and workflow goals.
What practical features did NIH emphasize for the assays?
The FOA highlighted usability in real-world IVF lab workflows, including rapid turnaround (to fit clinical decision timelines), low expense, simple laboratory manipulations, and high accuracy.
Why were rapid turnaround and workflow compatibility important?
Because IVF decisions are made on clinical timelines, the FOA emphasized that assay results should be available quickly enough to inform embryo/oocyte selection without disrupting standard laboratory practice.
What was expected from a Phase I (R41) project under this announcement?
Phase I was expected to focus on feasibility and proof-of-concept work, with a well-defined plan and preliminary data showing that the noninvasive assay can produce actionable information about oocyte or embryo quality in a way that fits IVF timelines and lab practices.
How much total funding was estimated for this STTR solicitation?
The estimated total funding was $300,000.
What was the maximum award amount per project?
The award ceiling was $100,000 per award.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Was there a related NIH opportunity using a different small business program?
Yes. NIH ran a separate but scientifically identical announcement, RFA-HD-09-025, through the SBIR program (R43/R44).
What broader impact did NIH describe for technologies developed under this FOA?
NIH described potential impacts including improved embryo and oocyte assessment, greater confidence in single embryo transfer, reduced multiple pregnancies, improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, and lower healthcare costs associated with complications from multiple gestations.
Where could applicants find the full announcement or get technical help at the time?
The NIH provided an additional information link to the full announcement and listed NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts for access or technical issues related to the posting.
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