NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)
The NIH REACH program will fund five new academic hubs to help move promising biomedical research into real-world products by providing early funding, resources, and mentorship for commercialization and entrepreneurship.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: November 10, 2026 (Applications)
Funding Amounts: $5 million in estimated total program funding; 5 awards expected
Summary: Supports academic entrepreneurship hubs that advance biomedical discoveries toward products improving patient care and public health.
Key Information: The primary applicant must have been a formal partner to a small business on an NIH STTR award.
Description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is renewing its Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program to accelerate the translation of academic biomedical discoveries into products that improve patient care and public health. This limited competition funds qualifying institutions to establish academic entrepreneurship hubs that give innovators initial investment, proof-of-concept support, and mentorship in product development and commercialization.
Funded hubs are intended to work as a consortium to identify promising technologies, fund product-definition studies, and provide early-stage development expertise in scientific, regulatory, reimbursement, business, legal, and project-management areas. They will also help innovators develop entrepreneurial skills through hands-on experience. Establishing public-private partnerships and providing additional non-federal funds are described as critical to success.
