Overview

The National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) Office of Strategic Extramural Programs announces the 2027 NIA Start-Up Challenge. Through this Challenge, NIA is seeking early-stage entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for technologies to improve healthy aging. NIA will award up to $994,000 in cash prizes, as well as participation in an intensive entrepreneurial accelerator program. Submissions will be accepted from December 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Register now to learn more at our informational webinar, to be held December 3, 2026 at 1PM ET.

This challenge is intended to advance novel biomedical innovations to improve the health and well-being of older Americans. Early-stage innovators often face significant constraints such as funding gaps, limited entrepreneurial experience, and lack of access to partnership and investment networks, which impede translation of promising discoveries. Through cash prizes, structured entrepreneurial skills development, mentorship, and targeted support, this fourth cycle of the Start-Up Challenge strengthens the capacity of researchers and innovators to translate promising concepts into scalable, scientifically driven, evidence-based technologies aligned with NIH and NIA priorities in aging and health span research. It also de-risks innovations and catalyzes follow-on funding and partnerships needed for commercialization and broad public health impact. Furthermore, this Challenge aims to encourage Challenge participants to pursue opportunities through the National Institute on Aging’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to further advance aging-related technologies toward commercialization.

This Challenge invites submissions from researchers and innovators who are new to entrepreneurship or actively seeking to pursue it, and who propose innovative, science-driven technologies with the potential to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Strong submissions must clearly describe how the participating individual or team would substantially benefit from intensive entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and the cash prizes provided by the Challenge. Submissions must also describe how the proposed solution will be substantially differentiated from existing commercialized products, and how it would expand the types of technologies and approaches already supported by the NIA SBIR and STTR programs. Existing technologies funded by the NIA SBIR and STTR programs can be found through the NIH Reporter database.

This Challenge is interested in ideas for innovative tools, technologies, and interventions that prevent, diagnose, treat, monitor, or slow progression of aging-related diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias, as well as solutions that promote healthy aging, support aging in place of choice, improve care delivery, or reduce caregiving burden. In addition to the interests listed above, this Challenge has a particular interest in solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, including data-driven and machine learning approaches, to enhance early detection, risk prediction, personalized interventions, and rapid drug discovery and development. This interest aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) priority to advance digital tools for the prevention of disease and to improve health status and health outcomes. Submitters should prioritize the development of evidence-based solutions that are broadly accessible and effective across the aging population, taking into consideration the wide range of relevant factors, including biological, social, behavioral, economic, environmental, and regional factors, that impact a solution’s utility.

The NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator complements other HHS innovation programs by integrating entrepreneurial development with support for early-stage biomedical innovation, particularly for investigators at the earliest stages of venture formation. In doing so, it helps fill a critical gap in the innovation pipeline and prepares participants to pursue and benefit from opportunities such as the ACL Caregiver AI Challenge, FDA’s READI-Home Innovation Challenge, a2 Collective pilot awards, and the NIA SBIR/STTR programs. Previous participants have strengthened product and business development capabilities and demonstrated meaningful progress in advancing their technologies. Many teams have gone on to secure follow-on venture capital funding, launch pilot studies, and further develop their innovations within the broader NIH innovation ecosystem through SBIR/STTR grants.

Dates:

• Challenge Launch: September 1, 2026
• Submission Start/End: December 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027
• Informational Webinar: December 3, 2026, 1PM ET
  • Register Now!
• Stage 1 Finalists Announced: May 2027
• Stage 1 Accelerator: June – November 2027
• Final Submission and Pitch Due: November 2027
• Stage 2 Winners Announced: January 2028

Statutory Authority to Conduct the Challenge.

The National Institute on Aging is conducting the NIA Start-Up Challenge under the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended [15 U.S.C. § 3719].

This Challenge supports the Institute’s statutory authority by advancing early-stage research and facilitating the translation of scientific discoveries into evidence-based technologies that improve the health and well-being of older adults. It also strengthens the biomedical research workforce by training and empowering emerging innovators and entrepreneurs to address the needs of older Americans. Together, these objectives directly advance the NIA’s mission.

Prizes

Amount of the Prize:

The National Institute on Aging will award up to $994,000 in cash prizes and an opportunity to participate in a five-month accelerator program designed to develop first-time entrepreneurs to advance aging research and innovation.

Stage 1 Finalists

Up to twenty-one (21) Stage 1 finalists will be selected from the initial pool of submissions. Each finalist will be awarded a $24,000 cash prize and the opportunity to participate in a five-month accelerator program. The program will provide mentorship, weekly virtual education sessions, guidance on the NIH SBIR/STTR application process, and access to business and regulatory guidance at no cost to the finalist. The accelerator program also includes two in-person events to facilitate learning and networking opportunities; one three-day entrepreneur bootcamp in June 2027 and one three-day health innovation and investment conference in November 2027. Registration costs for both events will be covered by the program. Travel-related costs are paid by the participant. Participants of the accelerator program can expect to commit up to 6-8 hours per week for approximately five months from June to November 2027 attending virtual education sessions and mentor meetings and participating in the two in-person events. The Stage 1 cash prize is intended to support critical early-stage business and product development activities identified during the program. At their discretion, finalists may use a portion of the funds to support participation in in-person events (e.g., travel-related expenses). The $24,000 cash prize will be disbursed within three months of the start of the accelerator program.

Stage 1 Objectives

1. At the end of the Stage 1 accelerator program, participants should be able to:
2. Assess the target market opportunity for the problem that they have identified.
3. Develop their solution’s value proposition that solves an identified unmet need.
4. Create a scalable go-to-market strategy.
5. Evaluate applicable intellectual property, regulatory, and reimbursement pathways.
6. Generate basic pro-forma financial projections and understand the principles of valuation.
7. Determine a legal and governance structure that is best for their venture.
8. Prepare and present a compelling 2-minute elevator pitch and 7-minute pitch presentation.
9. Understand the NIA SBIR/STTR grant application process, requirements, and resources.

Stage 2 Winners

Up to seven (7) winners will be selected from the Stage 1 finalist pool to each receive a $70,000 cash prize.

Note: While Stage 1 participants are provided with guidance on the NIH SBIR/STTR application process, it is important to note that NIH has a variety of resources to help entrepreneurs apply for grants, whether they participate in the Challenge or not. Grant application technical assistance is not solely available to Challenge participants. For more information on resources, visit the NIH SEED website. Additionally, while NIA hopes that the Challenge will encourage the development of a successful SBIR/STTR grant application, Challenge participation or selection as a winner has no impact on decisions made by NIA or any other NIH component to award grant funding. All grant applications, including those that are developed as a result of this Challenge, are subject to competition, peer review, and all other grant application and award requirements.

Award Approving Official:

The Award Approving Official will be the Director of the National Institute on Aging, Dr. Richard J. Hodes, M.D.

Payment of the Prize:

Prizes awarded under this Challenge will be paid by electronic funds transfer and may be subject to federal income taxes. HHS/NIH will comply with the Internal Revenue Service withholding and reporting requirements, where applicable.

Entities participating in this Challenge are encouraged, but not required, to request and obtain a free Unique Entity ID (UEI), if they have not already done so, via SAM.gov as this will expedite prize payment. Additional information can be found at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

NIH reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (a) cancel, suspend, or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, and/or (b) not award any prizes if no submissions are deemed worthy.

Rules

Eligibility Rules:

To be eligible to win a prize under this Challenge, a Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) —

• Shall have registered to participate in the Challenge under the rules promulgated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as published in this announcement;
• Shall have complied with all the requirements set forth in this announcement;
• May not be the principal investigator on an NIH SBIR/STTR award that is active at the time of the challenge submission period end date.
• May not have been a finalist in previous versions of the NIA Start-Up Challenge.
• In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. However, non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents can participate as a member of a team that otherwise satisfies the eligibility criteria. Non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents are not eligible to win a monetary prize (in whole or in part). Their participation as part of a winning team, if applicable, may be recognized when the results are announced.
• Shall not be a federal entity or federal employee acting within the scope of their employment;
• Shall not be an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, or any other component of HHS) acting in their personal capacity;
• Who is employed by a federal agency or entity other than HHS (or any component of HHS), should consult with an agency ethics official to determine whether the federal ethics rules will limit or prohibit the acceptance of a prize under this Challenge;
• Shall not be a judge of the Challenge, or any other party involved with the design, production, execution, or distribution of the Challenge or the immediate family of such a party (i.e., spouse, parent, step-parent, child, or step-child).
• Shall be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.

Participation Rules:

1. By participating in this Challenge, each individual (whether competing singly or in a group) or entity certifies they have either already formed a U.S. owned and operated small business or intend to form a U.S. owned and operated small business by November 1, 2027, that meets the eligibility requirements to apply for NIH SBIR/STTR funding.
2. Participants (whether individuals, groups of individuals, or entities) may not use federal funds from a grant award or cooperative agreement to develop their Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of their Challenge submissions unless use of such funds is consistent with the purpose, terms, and conditions of the grant award or cooperative agreement. Participants intending to use federal grant or cooperative agreement funds must register for and participate in the challenge on behalf of the awardee institution, organization, or entity. If a Participant uses federal grant or cooperative agreement funds and wins the Challenge, the prize must be treated as program income for purposes of the original grant or cooperative agreement in accordance with applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR § 200).]
3. Federal contractors may not use federal funds from a contract to develop their Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of their Challenge submissions.
4. By participating in this Challenge, each Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) agrees to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the federal government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from participation in this Challenge, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
5. Based on the subject matter of the Challenge, the type of work that it will possibly require, as well as an analysis of the likelihood of any claims for death, bodily injury, property damage, or loss potentially resulting from Challenge participation, no Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) participating in the Challenge is required to obtain liability insurance, or demonstrate financial responsibility, or agree to indemnify the federal government against third party claims for damages. arising from or related to Challenge activities in order to participate in this Challenge.
6. A Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) shall not be deemed ineligible because the Participant used federal facilities or consulted with federal employees during the Challenge if the facilities and employees are made available to all Participants participating in the Challenge on an equitable basis.
7. Each Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) agrees to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
8. Each Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) participating in this Challenge must comply with all terms and conditions of these rules, and participation in this Challenge constitutes each such Participant’s full and unconditional agreement to abide by these rules. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements herein.
9. As a condition for winning a cash prize in this Challenge, each Participant (whether an individual, group of individuals, or entity) that has been selected as a finalist or winner must complete and submit all requested winner verification and payment documents to NIH within 3 business days of formal notification. Failure to return all required verification documents by the date specified in the notification may be a basis for disqualification of a cash prize winning submission.

Judging Criteria

Basis Upon Which Finalists and Winners Will be Selected

Challenge submissions will be evaluated by a combination of NIA program staff and non-federal professionals with relevant industry expertise using the following process:

• Eligibility and Programmatic Review
  All submissions received during the submission period will be reviewed by NIA program staff for eligibility and programmatic relevance. NIA staff will also conduct a preliminary evaluation and assign an initial score. Submissions that receive a competitive preliminary score will advance to technical review.
• Technical Review
  Initial submissions will be individually evaluated and scored by technical reviewers with expertise in aging research, life science entrepreneurship and investment, business development, and product development. Reviewers may include experts from the federal government, academia, industry, and other relevant sectors. Evaluations will be based on the criteria outlined below.
• Final Evaluation by Federal Judges
  A panel of federal employees serving as judges will review the submissions and technical evaluations and provide a final score for each submission. Based on these scores, the judges will recommend top-performing teams for a screening call with NIA Challenge staff.
• Screening and Finalist Selection
  Following the screening calls, NIA Challenge staff will recommend up to 21 finalists for approval by the Award Approving Official.

All submissions that reach the technical review step will receive a brief summary of reviewer feedback by May 2027.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex.

Stage 1 Criteria

To be competitive in this Challenge, eligible submitters are required to present an innovative concept for a science-driven product that aligns with the NIA small business research objectives. Additionally, they must demonstrate a significant need for the cash prize, mentorship, and comprehensive entrepreneurial training offered through the accelerator program.

The criteria of evaluation to select the Stage 1 finalists are as follows [100 points total]:

Significance (0-15 points): How strong is the potential of the product to address a significant unmet need in the older adult population? To what extent does the scientific premise support the merits of the idea?

Innovation (0-15 points): How novel is the idea for the product? What is the potential competitive advantage or the potential for refinement of the product to improve the competitive advantage?

Commercialization (0-10 points): How effectively does the submitter explain the potential for commercial success? Is there a clearly defined market for the proposed product? Is the company’s business strategy one that has a high potential for success?

Submitter(s) (0-10 points): To what degree does the individual or team of individuals demonstrate a high level of commitment and collaboration? What level of relevant expertise does each person bring to the team?

Challenge Impact on the Submitter(s) (0-25 points): Does the submitter(s) describe a scientific, technical, professional, and/or personal background (e.g., lack of access to resources and networks) that demonstrates a need for training and resources provided by this Challenge? Does the submitter(s) describe how they will significantly benefit from the training and resources provided by this Challenge at their stage of product development?

Challenge Impact on NIA Research and Development (0-25 points): To what extent will the submitter’s participation in this Challenge enhance the impact and reach of NIA-funded small business research and development? “Impact and reach” refer to the potential to advance underfunded research areas, address unmet needs among older adults, and/or broaden the perspectives contributing to aging research and innovation. Submissions will be evaluated on their potential to achieve at least two of the following:

• The submission addresses an underfunded area relevant to the NIA small business research priorities. (Active NIA SBIR/STTR awards can be found in NIH RePORTER.)
• The product addresses a unique challenge or unmet need for older adults.
• The individual or team brings relevant background, experience, or perspectives that would broaden and strengthen aging-related research and development. Note that the race, ethnicity, or sex of the submitter(s) may not be considered as part of any evaluation criteria. Some examples of permissible considerations for this criterion include but are not limited to:
  • Experience as a caregiver for older adults, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or AD-related dementias.
  • Training or research experience that offers a complementary or innovative perspective.
  • Lived experiences involving challenges or barriers that inform a unique approach to aging-related research and innovation.

Stage 2 Criteria

To be competitive for the Stage 2 cash prize, finalists must meet the following requirements by the established deadline:

1. Finalists must form a company eligible to apply for an NIH SBIR/STTR grant and meet with an NIH program officer to discuss the aims and objectives of a potential NIH SBIR/STTR grant proposal by November 1, 2027.
2. Finalists are required to successfully complete a comprehensive entrepreneurship training program and exhibit proficiency in effectively presenting their business concepts to a wide public audience, including prospective partners and investors. Finalists are strongly encouraged to participate in the in-person bootcamp and in-person conference offered as part of this Challenge’s accelerator program; however, finalists may propose an alternative, comparable training program or conference for prior approval.
3. Finalists must submit a one-page document outlining the potential prize impact on advancing their business and innovation, and on furthering the NIA mission to improve the health and quality of life of older adults.
4. Finalists must submit a 7-minute pitch video addressing the potential of their product and the strength of their team.

The Stage 2 review will be conducted by a judging panel composed of NIA program staff. The panel will evaluate each finalist’s submission materials (a one-page document and a 7-minute pitch), along with a mentor assessment that provides an expert perspective on the anticipated impact of the prize, informed by the mentor’s technical expertise and experience advising the finalist.

The evaluation criteria to select the Stage 2 winners consist of the following [100 points total]:

Review criteria for the mentor assessment and one-page document [45 points total]:

• Prize Impact on Innovation Advancement (0-30 points): Does the finalist present a clear and strong plan for how the prize funds will play a critical role in empowering the small business to accelerate the development of their innovation in ways including, but not limited to:
  • Expanding their team
  • Collecting pilot data
  • Securing customers
  • Raising funds
• Prize Impact on NIA Research and Development (0-15 points): If awarded, how does the innovation have the potential to increase the impact and expand the reach of NIA-funded small business research and development? Do the submission materials describe in detail at least one of the following:
  • The submission addresses an underfunded area relevant to the NIA small business research priorities. (Active NIA SBIR/STTR awards can be found in NIH RePORTER.)
  • The product addresses a unique challenge or unmet need for older adults.
  • The individual or team brings relevant background, experience, or perspectives that would broaden and strengthen aging-related research and development. Note that the race, ethnicity, or sex of the submitter(s) are not considered as part of any evaluation criteria. Some examples of permissible considerations for this criterion include but are not limited to:
    • Experience as a caregiver for older adults, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or AD-related dementias.
    • Training or research experience that offers a complementary or innovative perspective.
    • Lived experiences involving challenges or barriers that inform a unique approach to aging-related research and innovation.

Review criteria for the 7-minute pitch video [55 points total]:

• Significance (0-15 points): To what degree does the product address a significant unmet need in the older adult population?
• Innovation (0-15 points): How novel is the product? What is the competitive advantage?
• Commercialization (0-10 points): How effectively does the submitter explain the potential for commercial success? Is there a strong value proposition? Is there a clearly defined market for the proposed product? Is the company’s business strategy one that has a high potential for success?
• Submitter(s) (0-10 points): To what degree does the individual or team of individuals demonstrate a high level of commitment and collaboration? What level of relevant expertise does each person bring to the team? Are there significant gaps in expertise on the team and how strong is the plan to fill those gaps?
• Pitch Delivery (0-5 points): How clearly does the submitter(s) present the information, including verbal delivery and visual slides?

How to Enter

Registration and Submission Process: 

Watch this space for the submission link, which will be available starting December 1, 2026.  Plan to register and provide a submission by the deadline of 11:59 PM ET on January 15, 2027. Do not include any confidential or proprietary information in your submission materials. By submitting materials in response to this Challenge, you agree to allow the National Institute on Aging to publish all or parts of your submission materials on www.nia.nih.gov. 

For Teams: Each participating Team is required to identify a Team Lead who will register and submit on behalf of the Team members. The Team Lead manages all communication with the Challenge sponsors and, if a cash prize is won, will receive the full amount of the prize.  To be eligible to receive a cash prize, the Team Lead must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If a dispute over the Team Lead's identity cannot be satisfactorily resolved by NIH, the submission will be considered ineligible. 

For Entities: Each participating Entity is required to identify a Point of Contact who will register and submit on behalf of the Entity. The Point of Contact is responsible for all communications with the Challenge sponsors. In the event of winning a cash prize, the prize will be paid directly to the Entity, not to the Point of Contact. To be eligible to receive a cash prize, the Entity must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. As stated in the Participation Rules, submitters intending to use Federal grant or cooperative agreement funds to develop their Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of their Challenge submissions must register for and participate in the Challenge as an Entity on behalf of the awardee institution or organization. If a Point of Contact’s identity dispute cannot be resolved to NIH’s satisfaction, the submission will be considered ineligible. 

Submission Requirements:

Multiple submissions are allowed, however, only one submission from each individual, team, or entity will be selected for participation as a Finalist.  

Late submissions will not be accepted. 

Additional Information

For additional information or questions, please visit the NIA Start-Up Challenge webpage at www.nia.nih.gov/research/sbir/start-challenge or contact the Challenge Team by emailing [email protected].