Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 09 054
Apply for PA 09 054
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (STTR) R41/R42" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.389 National Center for Research Resources.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2008 and posted on Dec 18, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Only United States SBCs are eligible to submit STTR applications. A small business concern is one that, at the time of award of Phase I and Phase II, meets all of the following criteria Organized for profit, with a place of business located in the United States, which operates primarily within the United States or which makes a significant contribution to the United States economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor In the legal form of an individual proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, association, trust or cooperative, except that where the form is a joint venture, there can be no more than 49 percent participation by business entities in the joint venture At least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of, or permanent resident aliens in, the United States. Has, including its affiliates, not more than 500 employees and meets the other regulatory requirements found in 13 C.F.R. Part 121. Business concerns, other than investment companies licensed, or state development companies qualifying under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C. 661, et seq., are affiliates of one another when either directly or indirectly, (a) one concern controls or has the power to control the other or (b) a third party/parties controls or has the power to control both. Control can be exercised through common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. The term affiliates is defined in greater detail in 13 C.F.R. 121.3 2(a). The term number of employees is defined in 13 C.F.R. 121.3 2(t). Business concerns include, but are not limited to, any individual (sole proprietorship), partnership, corporation, joint venture, association, or cooperative. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Small Business Administration Size District Office at http://sba.gov/size.
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Opportunity Summary:
Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (STTR) R41/R42 (Funding Opportunity Number PA-09-054) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to help strengthen the tools and technologies used to preserve animal germplasm for research. The core goal is to support innovations that make it easier, safer, and more reliable for repositories and research programs to build and maintain animal germplasm banks that can meet both current needs and long-term future demand. In practice, this focuses on improving the real-world capabilities needed for cryopreservation work, so that valuable genetic materials can be stored, transported, and recovered with confidence when needed.
The scientific scope is centered on developing and improving tools for animal germplasm cryopreservation. The announcement specifically calls for innovative research related to cryopreservation methods, specialized reagents, and equipment, as well as biosecurity measures that reduce contamination or other risks during collection, processing, storage, and distribution. A major emphasis is also placed on disease detection, including issues tied to vertical transmission of disease, meaning disease that can be passed from parent to offspring through germplasm or associated materials. The underlying idea is that cryobanking is not just about keeping samples frozen; it is also about ensuring samples remain viable, well-characterized, and safe to use in research settings without introducing pathogens into colonies, facilities, or breeding programs.
This FOA uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant mechanisms, specifically the R41/R42 structure. That means projects are expected to involve a small business working formally with a nonprofit research institution partner, reflecting the STTR program's goal of moving promising research toward practical, commercializable products or services. The opportunity supports Phase I, Phase II, and Fast Track applications. Phase I is intended to establish feasibility and generate initial proof-of-concept results, while Phase II supports more advanced research and development aimed at creating a more complete, validated solution. Fast Track allows applicants to propose Phase I and Phase II in a single combined application to speed the transition when the pathway is clear. This program runs in parallel with a companion announcement of the same scientific scope under the SBIR mechanism (PA-09-055), which is similar in purpose but uses different small business program rules.
Funding levels follow typical STTR guidelines. Phase I awards are normally up to $100,000 total costs for a period of up to one year, and Phase II awards are normally up to $750,000 total costs for up to two years. The announcement notes these are statutory guidelines rather than strict caps, and applicants are encouraged to propose budgets and timelines that are reasonable for the work they are actually proposing. The number of awards and total dollars ultimately depend on available funds and, most importantly, the quality and merit of the applications received.
Eligibility is limited to United States small business concerns (SBCs). To qualify, the business must be for-profit, have a place of business in the United States, and operate primarily in the United States or make a significant contribution to the US economy through taxes or use of American products, materials, or labor. It must be organized in an allowable legal form (for example, LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, and other common structures), and if it is a joint venture, business entities cannot hold more than 49 percent participation. The company must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent resident aliens, and it must have no more than 500 employees including affiliates, consistent with Small Business Administration size regulations. The FOA also references standard SBA rules around affiliation and control, which can matter if the company has related entities, shared ownership, shared management, or contractual relationships that create affiliate status.
Project leadership rules are flexible in a way that fits STTR collaboration. The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) can be employed either by the small business or by the partnering nonprofit research institution, as long as there is a formal appointment with or commitment to the applicant small business that demonstrates an official relationship. The FOA also allows multiple PDs/PIs, which can be useful when projects span technical development, cryobiology, engineering, quality systems, and biosecurity or pathogen detection expertise. NIH also reiterates its standing encouragement for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities to apply for support.
From an application strategy standpoint, the FOA permits a small business to submit more than one application as long as each is scientifically distinct, which matters for companies with multiple product concepts or platforms. Resubmissions are allowed, but they must include an introduction that directly addresses prior peer review critiques, referencing the Summary Statement, which is standard NIH practice.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.389 (National Center for Research Resources at the time of posting) and does not require cost sharing or matching. The posting date and creation date were December 18, 2008, with an original and final closing date of January 7, 2012, and an archive date of February 7, 2012, indicating the announcement is historical and no longer open. The full announcement was hosted through the NIH grants guide, and NIH provided webmaster contacts for access or linking issues.
Overall, PA-09-054 was built to push forward practical, high-impact improvements in how animal germplasm is cryopreserved and safeguarded, with a clear expectation that small businesses, in partnership with research institutions, would translate innovative ideas into usable methods, reagents, devices, and biosecurity or disease detection solutions that strengthen national and institutional germplasm banking capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the “Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (STTR) R41/R42” opportunity (PA-09-054)?
PA-09-054 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that used the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism (R41/R42) to support the development and improvement of tools and technologies for animal germplasm cryopreservation for research use. The intent was to strengthen real-world capabilities for building and maintaining animal germplasm banks that can meet current and future research demand.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The core goal is to support innovations that make cryopreservation easier, safer, and more reliable for repositories and research programs, so valuable genetic materials can be stored, transported, and recovered with confidence when needed.
What kinds of research and development were within the scientific scope?
The scope focused on developing and improving tools for animal germplasm cryopreservation, including innovative work on cryopreservation methods, specialized reagents, equipment, and biosecurity measures that reduce contamination or other risks during collection, processing, storage, and distribution.
Does the opportunity emphasize biosecurity and contamination prevention?
Yes. A stated focus is on biosecurity measures that reduce contamination and other risks across the full workflow (collection through distribution), reflecting the need for samples to be safe to use in research settings.
How does disease detection fit into the announcement?
Disease detection is a major emphasis, including issues related to vertical transmission of disease (disease passed from parent to offspring through germplasm or associated materials). The announcement frames cryobanking as not only preserving samples, but also ensuring they remain viable, well-characterized, and safe to use without introducing pathogens into colonies, facilities, or breeding programs.
What grant mechanism was used (and what does that imply)?
This FOA used the STTR grant mechanisms R41/R42. That implies projects were expected to involve a small business working formally with a nonprofit research institution partner, consistent with the STTR program goal of advancing promising research toward practical, commercializable products or services.
What phases were supported under this STTR opportunity?
The opportunity supported Phase I, Phase II, and Fast Track applications. Phase I was intended to establish feasibility and generate proof-of-concept results. Phase II supported more advanced research and development to create a more complete, validated solution. Fast Track allowed Phase I and Phase II to be proposed together in one combined application to speed the transition when the development pathway is clear.
Was there a related or companion opportunity?
Yes. The announcement notes a companion opportunity with the same scientific scope under the SBIR mechanism (PA-09-055). It is similar in purpose but operates under different small business program rules.
How much funding was available for Phase I?
Phase I awards were normally up to $100,000 in total costs for a period of up to one year, following typical STTR guidelines described in the announcement.
How much funding was available for Phase II?
Phase II awards were normally up to $750,000 in total costs for up to two years, following typical STTR guidelines described in the announcement.
Are the Phase I and Phase II amounts strict caps?
No. The announcement characterizes these amounts as statutory guidelines rather than strict caps, and encourages applicants to propose budgets and timelines that are reasonable for the work being proposed.
How were the number of awards determined?
The number of awards and total dollars depended on available funds and, most importantly, the quality and merit of the applications received.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to United States small business concerns (SBCs) that meet STTR/SBA-related requirements described in the FOA.
What basic characteristics did the small business need to have?
The business had to be for-profit, have a place of business in the United States, and operate primarily in the United States or make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through taxes or the use of American products, materials, or labor.
What legal forms of organization were allowed for the applicant small business?
The FOA indicates the business must be organized in an allowable legal form, with examples including LLC, corporation, partnership, and sole proprietorship, among other common structures.
Are there special rules if the applicant is a joint venture?
Yes. If the company is a joint venture, business entities cannot hold more than 49 percent participation, based on the eligibility description in the FOA.
What ownership and control requirements applied?
The company had to be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, as described in the eligibility section.
Was there an employee size limit?
Yes. The company had to have no more than 500 employees including affiliates, consistent with Small Business Administration size regulations referenced in the FOA.
Why does “affiliation” matter for eligibility?
The FOA references standard SBA rules around affiliation and control, which can matter when a company has related entities, shared ownership, shared management, or contractual relationships that create affiliate status. Since the 500-employee threshold includes affiliates, affiliation can affect whether an applicant qualifies as a small business concern.
Did STTR require a nonprofit research institution partner?
Yes. The FOA describes STTR as involving a small business working formally with a nonprofit research institution partner, aligning with the STTR program structure.
Where could the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) be employed?
The PD/PI could be employed either by the small business or by the partnering nonprofit research institution, as long as there was a formal appointment with or commitment to the applicant small business demonstrating an official relationship.
Were multiple PDs/PIs allowed?
Yes. The FOA allows multiple PDs/PIs, which can be useful for projects that span technical development, cryobiology, engineering, quality systems, and biosecurity or pathogen detection expertise.
Did NIH encourage applications from underrepresented groups?
Yes. NIH reiterated its standing encouragement for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities to apply for support.
Could a small business submit more than one application?
Yes. The FOA permits a small business to submit more than one application as long as each is scientifically distinct.
Were resubmissions allowed, and what was required?
Resubmissions were allowed, but they had to include an introduction that directly addressed prior peer review critiques and referenced the Summary Statement, consistent with standard NIH practice.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA indicates that cost sharing or matching was not required.
What CFDA number was associated with this announcement?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.389 (National Center for Research Resources at the time of posting).
Is PA-09-054 still open for applications?
No. The information provided indicates this announcement is historical and no longer open. It lists an original and final closing date of January 7, 2012, and an archive date of February 7, 2012.
When was the announcement posted?
The posting date and creation date were December 18, 2008.
What types of deliverables or outputs was NIH aiming to stimulate?
The FOA was designed to push practical, high-impact improvements that small businesses (working with research institutions) could translate into usable methods, reagents, devices, and biosecurity or disease detection solutions that strengthen animal germplasm banking capabilities.
What is the practical importance of “viable, well-characterized, and safe” samples in this context?
The FOA emphasizes that cryobanking is not only about keeping samples frozen. It is also about maintaining viability, ensuring samples are well-characterized, and preventing introduction of pathogens into research colonies, facilities, or breeding programs when the materials are distributed and used.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (SBIR) R43/R44
Previous opportunity: Evidence Based Prevention Program Existing Projects September 1, 2009 start date
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Applicants also applied for:
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| Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (SBIR) R43/R44 Apply for PA 09 055 Funding Number: PA 09 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pre application for a Biomedical Technology Research Resource (X02) Apply for PAR 08 260 Funding Number: PAR 08 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Informatics Training for Global Health (ITGH) (D43) Apply for RFA TW 09 001 Funding Number: RFA TW 09 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $230,000 |
| Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (Limited Competition U54) Apply for RFA CA 09 501 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 501 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Prevention Research Small Grant Program (R03) Apply for PAR 08 055 Funding Number: PAR 08 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Genome Characterization Centers and Genome Data Analysis Centers for The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network (TCGA)U24 Apply for RFA CA 09 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) R03 Apply for PAR 09 073 Funding Number: PAR 09 073 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NINR Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for Underrepresented or Disadvantaged Investigators (K01) Apply for PAR 09 074 Funding Number: PAR 09 074 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (U54) Apply for RFA RM 09 004 Funding Number: RFA RM 09 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transdisciplinary Cancer Genomics Research Post Genome Wide Association (Post GWA) Initiative (U19) Apply for RFA CA 09 002 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral, and Population Sciences Career Development Award (K07) Apply for PAR 09 078 Funding Number: PAR 09 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (P20) Apply for PAR 09 079 Funding Number: PAR 09 079 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Established Investigator Award in Cancer Prevention Control (K05) Apply for PAR 09 088 Funding Number: PAR 09 088 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) Apply for PAR 09 089 Funding Number: PAR 09 089 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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| Therapeutics Development for HIV/AIDS Associated Neuropsychological Disorders (SBIRR43/R44) Apply for PA 06 432 Funding Number: PA 06 432 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Image Guided Cancer Interventions (STTR R41/R42) Apply for PA 07 041 Funding Number: PA 07 041 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Image Guided Cancer Interventions (SBIR R43/R44) Apply for PA 07 042 Funding Number: PA 07 042 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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