Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 14 029
Apply for RFA HD 14 029
- The National Institutes of Health in the health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Orthotics for Pediatric Populations (SBIR) (R43)" 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 Feb 25, 2013 and posted on Feb 25, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Orthotics for Pediatric Populations (SBIR) (R43) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HD-14-029) was a National Institutes of Health grant announcement issued through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It sought Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I proposals focused on creating the next generation of pediatric orthotic devices for children and young people from birth through age 21. The central idea behind the program was that growing children have unique neuromuscular and skeletal "plasticity" that can be leveraged early to guide development, reduce or prevent musculoskeletal abnormalities, and ultimately improve functional outcomes for children living with disabilities.
This FOA emphasized innovation in both engineering approach and device design. Applicants were expected to design, build, and test novel orthotics, not just propose incremental changes to existing braces or supports. A key expectation was the use of state-of-the-art biomechanical modeling to understand pediatric movement and growth patterns and to translate that understanding into better device performance. In practical terms, this could include computational modeling of gait and joint loading, individualized fit strategies, and data-driven design decisions that match orthotic function to a child's anatomy and developmental trajectory. The announcement also highlighted advanced materials as an important lever for change, pointing toward lightweight, durable, adaptable, and potentially more comfortable solutions than traditional pediatric orthoses.
From a program goals standpoint, the NIH framed this work as a way to "revolutionize" orthotics for pediatric populations. That signals interest in solutions that could materially shift standard of care, such as orthoses that adapt as a child grows, improve adherence and comfort, provide better alignment and control without overly restricting movement, or support function in ways that translate to everyday activities. The targeted impact was twofold: reducing musculoskeletal abnormalities (for example, abnormal joint positioning, contracture risk, deformity progression, or maladaptive movement patterns) and improving function (such as mobility, balance, gait efficiency, endurance, and independence in daily life). The emphasis on disabilities indicates relevance to a broad range of pediatric conditions where orthotics are commonly used, including neuromotor and musculoskeletal disorders.
Administratively, this was a discretionary grant opportunity using the SBIR Phase I (R43) mechanism, meaning it was specifically limited to eligible small businesses and aimed at early-stage feasibility and prototype development rather than large-scale clinical trials. The program did not require cost sharing or matching. The estimated total program funding was listed as $1,500,000, with an award ceiling of $225,000 per award for Phase I projects. The opportunity was posted on February 25, 2013, with an application closing date of July 31, 2013, and it was later archived on August 31, 2013. The CFDA number associated with the program was 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research), reflecting NICHD's mission focus.
In short, this NIH/NICHD SBIR Phase I FOA was designed to push small businesses to bring cutting-edge biomechanics and materials science into pediatric orthotics, with the explicit goal of developing and testing novel devices that take advantage of growth-related plasticity to improve long-term musculoskeletal health and functional outcomes for children and adolescents with disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Orthotics for Pediatric Populations (SBIR) (R43) opportunity?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I funding opportunity focused on developing the next generation of pediatric orthotic devices. The announcement is titled "Orthotics for Pediatric Populations (SBIR) (R43)" and is associated with Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HD-14-029.
Which NIH institute issued this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was issued through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the SBIR Phase I mechanism, specifically the R43 grant mechanism, which supports early-stage feasibility work and prototype development.
Who was eligible to apply?
The opportunity was specifically limited to eligible small businesses, consistent with SBIR Phase I requirements.
What pediatric age range was targeted?
The program targeted children and young people from birth through age 21.
What is the central scientific or clinical rationale behind this program?
The program was built around the idea that growing children have unique neuromuscular and skeletal "plasticity" that can be leveraged early to guide development, reduce or prevent musculoskeletal abnormalities, and improve functional outcomes for children living with disabilities.
What types of projects were expected under this FOA?
Applicants were expected to design, build, and test novel pediatric orthotic devices. The FOA emphasized innovation in both engineering approach and device design, rather than incremental changes to existing braces or supports.
Did the FOA emphasize prototype development and testing?
Yes. The announcement explicitly expected applicants to design, build, and test novel orthotics, aligning with Phase I goals of feasibility demonstration and prototype development.
What role did biomechanics and modeling play in this opportunity?
A key expectation was the use of state-of-the-art biomechanical modeling to understand pediatric movement and growth patterns and translate that understanding into better device performance. Examples described included computational modeling of gait and joint loading, individualized fit strategies, and data-driven design decisions tied to a child's anatomy and developmental trajectory.
Was innovation in materials part of the focus?
Yes. The FOA highlighted advanced materials as an important lever for change, pointing toward lightweight, durable, adaptable, and potentially more comfortable solutions compared with traditional pediatric orthoses.
What did NIH mean by aiming to "revolutionize" pediatric orthotics?
The FOA signaled interest in solutions that could materially shift standard of care, such as orthoses that adapt as a child grows, improve adherence and comfort, provide better alignment and control without overly restricting movement, or support function in ways that translate to everyday activities.
What outcomes and impacts were targeted?
The targeted impact was twofold: (1) reducing musculoskeletal abnormalities (for example, abnormal joint positioning, contracture risk, deformity progression, or maladaptive movement patterns) and (2) improving function (such as mobility, balance, gait efficiency, endurance, and independence in daily life).
What populations or conditions were considered relevant?
The FOA emphasized children and adolescents with disabilities and indicated relevance to a broad range of pediatric conditions where orthotics are commonly used, including neuromotor and musculoskeletal disorders.
Was this intended to fund large-scale clinical trials?
No. As an SBIR Phase I (R43) opportunity, it was aimed at early-stage feasibility and prototype development rather than large-scale clinical trials.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
What was the estimated total program funding?
The estimated total program funding listed for the opportunity was $1,500,000.
What was the maximum award amount for Phase I?
The award ceiling was $225,000 per award for Phase I projects.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on February 25, 2013. The application closing date was July 31, 2013.
Is this funding opportunity still active?
No. The announcement was later archived on August 31, 2013.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number associated with the program was 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research).
What is the overall purpose of the FOA in plain terms?
In practical terms, the FOA was designed to push small businesses to bring cutting-edge biomechanics and materials science into pediatric orthotics, producing and testing novel devices that leverage growth-related plasticity to improve long-term musculoskeletal health and functional outcomes for children and adolescents with disabilities.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Orthotics for Healthy Development (STTR) (R41)
Previous opportunity: FY13 14 PHMSA HMEP Native American Tribes
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