Individuals from diverse backgrounds can provide unique and valuable contributions in the research and development of life science innovations that prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health. However, certain groups, such as women and individuals from racial/ethnic minoritized groups, remain underrepresented in the U.S. biomedical sciences and in life science entrepreneurship.
The National Institute on Aging’s Office of Strategic Extramural Programs (OSEP) has as a strong interest in and commitment to fostering diversity in aging research-inspired entrepreneurship and in encouraging participation of underrepresented groups (as defined in NOT-OD-20-031) in the NIA SBIR and STTR programs. To support this commitment, NIA OSEP is hosting the Healthy Aging Start-Up Challenge and Bootcamp to Foster Diversity and Accelerate Innovation, in partnership with the NIA Office of Special Populations (OSP). The goal of this Challenge is to stimulate innovation and foster diversity in aging research and development by providing cash prizes and non-cash prizes, such as strategic resources provided through an entrepreneur bootcamp, that will help participants overcome barriers to participating in life sciences entrepreneurship. The Challenge also aims to enhance equity in the NIA SBIR/STTR program as a means of furthering the Congressional goal of the SBIR/STTR program to foster and encourage participation by social and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and by women-owned small businesses, in technological innovation.
This Challenge invites researchers and entrepreneurs with a demonstrated need who have innovative ideas for science-driven technologies and products that have the potential to increase the diversity of NIA-funded small business research and development. Proposals may demonstrate a high impact on diversity by addressing a gap in NIA-funded small business research and development, by addressing a unique need of older adults from minority and/or medically underserved areas/populations (as defined by HRSA), or by being led by an individual or team of individuals who possess a background and/or unique life experience that can bring a diverse perspective to aging-related research and development.
NIA strongly encourages applications from researchers and entrepreneurs from groups underrepresented in the U.S. biomedical sciences and in life science entrepreneurship. NIA has a special interest in proposals for tools, technologies, and products aimed to improve the health and quality of life of older adults in minority and underserved populations, as outlined in the NIA Health Disparities Objectives.
Awards:- $60,000
Deadline:- 23-05-2022
