Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) to Develop New Diagnostic, Monitoring and Therapeutics Technologies for the Complications of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) STTR (R41/R42) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NIH STTR PA-14-059 (R41/R42) for Type 1 Diabetes Complications Technology

1) What is funding opportunity PA-14-059?

PA-14-059 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding opportunity that uses the R41/R42 grant mechanism. It focuses on developing new technologies that address complications of Type 1 diabetes (T1D), with an emphasis on practical, product-oriented innovation.

2) What is the main goal of this STTR program?

The core aim is to move translational, real-world technologies forward by funding U.S. small businesses that partner with nonprofit research institutions (such as universities, academic medical centers, or research labs). The intent is to help small companies and research collaborators turn promising ideas into tools that can detect, track, monitor, or treat diabetes-related complications earlier and more effectively.

3) What types of diabetes complications does the opportunity focus on?

The opportunity is motivated by the heavy public health burden of diabetes complications, especially microvascular and macrovascular disease processes that can lead to major illness, premature death, and high healthcare costs.

4) What are examples of microvascular complications mentioned or implied in the opportunity?

Microvascular complications typically include diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. The announcement highlights interest in technologies that improve early diagnosis and monitoring of these kinds of complications.

5) What are examples of macrovascular complications mentioned or implied in the opportunity?

Macrovascular complications involve larger blood vessels and contribute to cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. The opportunity includes interest in technologies that can help address these complications in the context of Type 1 diabetes.

6) What kinds of technologies or solutions are encouraged?

The announcement emphasizes technologies that support early diagnosis and monitoring, as well as therapeutics. In practical terms, the program is looking for tangible outputs such as diagnostic tools, monitoring platforms, or therapeutic technologies relevant to T1D complications.

7) Is this a grant or a contract?

This opportunity is a discretionary grant, not a contract.

8) What does "STTR" mean for applicants?

Because it is an STTR opportunity, collaboration is central. The applicant must be a U.S.-based small business that partners with a nonprofit research institution (commonly a university, medical center, or research laboratory). The structure is meant to bridge academic research and commercialization by combining research depth with small business development and translation capabilities.

9) Does the opportunity require a small business and a research institution to work together?

Yes. A defining feature of STTR is the required collaboration between an eligible U.S. small business and a nonprofit research institution or academic center.

10) How "product-oriented" should a project be?

Based on the description provided, projects should be strongly translational and oriented toward development of a tangible technology (for example, a diagnostic, monitoring platform, or therapeutic technology) relevant to Type 1 diabetes complications.

11) What NIH mechanism does PA-14-059 use?

The funding opportunity uses the R41/R42 STTR mechanism.

12) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.847, which corresponds to Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research.

13) What general funding category does this fall under?

The opportunity falls under the NIH funding activity category of health.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity specifies that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Applicants are not required to contribute non-federal matching funds as a condition of receiving an award.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted primarily to small businesses. The applicant organization must be an eligible U.S. small business concern.

16) Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?

No. The announcement explicitly states that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply.

17) Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?

No. The announcement indicates that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.

18) Can a U.S. applicant include any foreign involvement at all?

The information provided notes that foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in some cases. Practically, this means the applicant must be an eligible U.S. small business, but certain foreign collaborations or elements might be included if they are well-justified and consistent with NIH policy.

19) When was this opportunity posted?

The source data indicates it was posted on January 3, 2014.

20) What were the key closing and archive dates shown?

The timeline information shows an original closing date of May 7, 2017, a current closing date listed as January 7, 2017, and an archive date of February 7, 2017.

21) Is PA-14-059 still open for applications?

No. The listing indicates the opportunity has been archived, which implies that new applications under this exact announcement are no longer being accepted.

22) If PA-14-059 is archived, is there likely a newer version?

The information provided suggests that archived NIH opportunities sometimes have successor announcements or updated versions. A common approach is to use the archived listing as a pointer and then look for the most recent equivalent funding opportunity announcement (FOA) number and title.

23) Where can applicants find the full announcement text?

NIH provided an additional information link to the full announcement text hosted on the NIH grants site.

24) Who should be contacted for technical help accessing the opportunity documentation?

The information provided references general technical assistance contacts through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster for access or linking issues. These contacts are meant to help with difficulties accessing the documentation online rather than providing scientific or programmatic guidance.

25) What is the underlying public health rationale for this opportunity?

The motivation described is the high burden of diabetes complications, including microvascular and macrovascular processes that drive substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The opportunity reflects interest in both identifying complications earlier (before irreversible damage occurs) and improving interventions once risk or disease is detected.