Catalyze Product Definition Medical Device prototype design/testing and disease target identification and assay development (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Dec 23, 2027, 429 days left.

Opportunity number	RFA-HL-26-019
Agency	National Institutes of Health
Funding type	Grant
Field	Health
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839
Posted	Nov 22, 2024
Closes	Dec 23, 2027 (429 days left)
Add the deadline to	Google Calendar

Who can apply

State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and state controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses
Others (see the eligibility notes)

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Description

The goal of the NHLBI Catalyze Program is to provide a comprehensive suite of support and services to facilitate the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates that have been cleared for human testing, and to develop translational researchers fluent in product development and entrepreneurship. This specific Catalyze Product Definition initiative will provide the early stage translational support needed for the activities required to develop and test device prototypes, identify diagnostic disease targets and develop associated assays, and develop research tools to treat HLBS diseases and disorders.

This is a phased initiative for early stage projects. The R61 phase provides support to identify and test initial prototype designs, to identify a disease target and generate experimental design, and to identify, test and pilot research tools. The R33 phase provides support for continued prototype development and testing, in addition to modifying design features and user feedback, diagnostic product generation, exploration of assay components, and characterization of a load design, and research tool improvement, large trial testing and data integration.

Following successful completion of the program, it is expected that the potential products will be poised to move forward for in vivo testing (optimization, safety, efficacy) with additional support from NIH and/or other federal and private programs. This initiative has a companion initiative that supports development of therapeutics and combination products and is also part of a suite of innovation grants to advance projects to the point where they can meet the entry criteria for the NHLBI Catalyze Preclinical Program.

Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov

Health grants right now

There are 350 open federal grants in health that small businesses may apply for; 33 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $500,000. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA and Centers for Disease Control - NCBDDD. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1031 days; this one is open for 1126 days.

Who has won this program before

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc. $19.3 million · from Jul 1, 2020
Brigham & Womens Hospital Inc $15.0 million · from Aug 1, 1998
Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania, The $7.4 million · from Sep 1, 2000
Northwestern University $7.2 million · from Jul 1, 1998
George Washington University (The) $7.1 million · from Jun 15, 2016

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.