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Biomedical Technologies (BM)

A close-up view of the end-effector of FlexDex Surgical’s articulating needle-driver. This instrument is for use in laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgeries. © FlexDex, Inc.

Technology topic

Biomedical Technologies (BM)

The Biomedical Technologies topic aims to support the early-stage development of novel products, processes or services that will enable the delivery of high-quality, economically efficient healthcare.

Subtopics are not aimed at supporting or conducting clinical trials, clinical efficacy or safety studies, the development pre-clinical or clinical-stage drug candidates or medical devices, or work performed primarily for regulatory purposes. Limited studies with human subjects may be acceptable to the extent that they are performed in support of feasibility, such as proof-of-concept studies of early-stage technologies. Proposals that request support for clinical studies will be deemed noncompliant with the SBIR/STTR solicitations and returned without review.

Sub-Topics

BM1. Diagnostics
BM2. Drug Delivery Methods
BM3. Materials for Biomedical Applications
BM4. Medical Imaging
BM5. Monitoring Devices
BM6. Other Biomedical Technologies





Application process for Biomedical Technologies (BM) funding

Eligibility for Biomedical Technologies (BM) funding +
  • Your company must be a small business (fewer than 500 employees) located in the United States.
  • At least 50% of your company’s equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. NSF does not fund companies that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital firms, private equity firms, or hedge funds, to participate in SBIR and STTR.
  • All funded work, including work done by consultants and contractors, needs to take place in the United States.
  • The project’s principal investigator (tech lead) must be legally employed at least 20 hours a week by the company seeking funding. The principal investigator doesn’t need any advanced degrees.
  • The principal investigator needs to commit to at least one month (173 hours) of work on a funded project per six months of project duration.

Evaluation Criteria: What We Look for When Evaluating Biomedical Technologies (BM) proposals +

Take our project assessment to see if your work might be a good fit for NSF funding.

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