Recovery Act Limited Competition: Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3)

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Purpose. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act or ARRA), Public Law 111-5, solicits grant applications for a new initiative called Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3). The purpose of this pilot program is to address the funding gap between promising research and development (R and D) and transitioning to the market -- often called the Valley of Death -- by contributing to the critical funding needed by applicants to pursue the next appropriate milestone(s) toward ultimate commercialization; i.e., to carry out later stage research activities necessary to that end. This program aims to accelerate the transition of research innovations and technologies toward the development of products or services that will improve human health, help advance the mission of NIH and its Institutes and Centers (ICs), and create significant value and economic stimulus. This program also aims to foster partnerships among a variety of research and development (R and D) collaborators working toward these aims. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the RC3 grant mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Contingent upon the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious applications, NIH intends to commit at least $35 million in response to this FOA. We anticipate that at least 10 awards will be made in fiscal year 2010, pending the number and quality of applications and availability of funds. As a pilot, an evaluation will be necessary before any reissuance of this FOA; any reissuance is also predicated on funds availability. Applications received under this FOA may be given funding priority if the project is deemed to have high commercial potential to be developed into a product or service as indicated by the underserved need being addressed, the lack of alternative resources in the market and/or the applicants ability to secure funding or in-kind support from an independent third-party investor and/or strategic partner.

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