ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is announcing several 2023 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program grant awards.
The purpose of the SBIR program is to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting federal research or research and development needs, and improve the return on investment from federally funded research for economic and social benefits to the nation. The goal is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through research and development of products generated by small businesses and to increase the commercial application of NIDILRR-supported research results and development products. All SBIR projects funded by NIDILRR must address the needs of individuals with disabilities and promote their health and function, community living, or employment outcomes.
SBIR awards are given for two types of projects:
- Phase I is for projects to determine the scientific or technical merit and feasibility of proposed research or development efforts that appear to have commercial potential.
- Phase II projects expand on the results of and further pursue the development of Phase I projects.
SBIR Phase I Grant Recipients:
Twelve grants were awarded for Phase I projects for an estimated funding amount of $100,000 for a six-month time period. The planned project period for these grants is June 1, 2023-November 30, 2023.
- The Atalanta—Artificial Muscle Powered Above-Knee Prosthesis to Significantly Improve Amputee Mobility, Health, and Societal Impact: Adaract.
- Soft Low-Cost Additively Manufactured Bionic Arm Prosthetic: Advanced Life Technologies LLC.
- The Client Optimized Virtual Equine Therapy System to Help Children with Autism: CreateAbility Concepts Inc.
- FIDDLE – FIT (for) Intellectual and Developmental Determinations (for) Long-Term Employment: CreateAbility Concepts Inc.
- The Theseus Controller—An Innovative Gaming Controller and Design Framework to Improve Accessibility: Jonah Eskin, Groomwave LLC.
- Healthy Cooking Basics: LearningQ LLC.
- Workforce Basics: LearningQ LLC.
- Middle School Soft Skill Stories to Help Middle School Blind/Low-Vision Students Improve Their Soft Skills: ObjectiveEd Inc.
- LimbStrong sEMG-based Gamified Therapy for Improved Upper Limb Rehabilitation: Orthocare Innovations LLC.
- Improving the Outcomes of Home and Community-Based Services for Medicaid Populations Through the Use of Analytics: Serious Health LLC.
- Motorized Hand Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation: SpringWear LLC.
- Building a Robotic Window Opener to Help People with Mobility Impairments Live More Independently: Valar Systems LLC.
SBIR Phase II Grant Recipients:
Five grants were awarded for Phase II for an estimated funding amount of $287,500 per year for two years. The planned project period for these grants is June 1, 2023-May 31, 2025.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Hand Trainer for Stroke: Altec Inc.
- Development of an Automated, Reusable No-Touch Catheter System: CathBuddy Inc.
- IW – Bluetooth Electromyography-based Stroke Therapeutic (BEST)—Shifting the Paradigm with Biofeedback-Driven Home Therapy: Impulse Wellness LLC.
- Feasibility of a Cranial Remolding Orthosis with Notification Electronics (CROWNE): Liberating Technologies Inc.
- College Readiness Stories to Help College-Bound Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Prepare for College: Objective Ed Inc.
Contact Brian.Bard@acl.hhs.gov at NIDILRR if you have questions about the SBIR Program.
To stay current on NIDILRR grant opportunities, please visit grants.gov and search: NIDILRR or 93.433.
NIDILRR, part of ACL, generates new knowledge and promotes its effective use so that people with disabilities can perform activities of their choice in the community. NIDILRR also works to expand society’s capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for people with disabilities.