2027 NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator
The 2027 NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator by NIH Challenges supports early-stage biomedical innovations for healthy aging through mentorship, training, and a science-driven accelerator program.
Funder: NIH Challenges
Due Dates: January 15, 2027: Registration and Submission deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to $994,000 in cash prizes; $24,000 for up to 21 finalists, $70,000 for up to 7 winners, plus accelerator program
Summary: Supports early-stage innovators in aging-related biomedical technology with prizes, mentorship, and training to advance healthy aging solutions.
Key Information: Team leads must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; entities must be U.S.-incorporated.
Description
The 2027 NIA Start-Up Challenge and Accelerator, led by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and supported by NIH Challenges, aims to propel early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers developing innovative biomedical technologies to enhance healthy aging. The program addresses barriers such as funding gaps and limited entrepreneurial resources by providing cash prizes, intensive mentorship, and structured entrepreneurial training through a five-month accelerator. Special emphasis is placed on solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, data-driven tools, and technologies for early detection, risk prediction, personalized interventions, and rapid drug discovery for aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The Challenge is designed to translate promising scientific discoveries into scalable, evidence-based products, foster commercialization, and prepare participants for further opportunities, such as SBIR and STTR grants.
