NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)
Forecasted
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 (Anticipated): November 2026
Funding Amounts: Estimated total program funding: $5,000,000; ~5 awards anticipated
Summary: Supports the creation of academic hubs to accelerate commercialization of promising biomedical technologies through early-stage funding, technical resources, and entrepreneurship training.
Key Information: This is a limited competition forecast; only institutions with NIH STTR partnership experience are eligible.
Description
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to invite applications for the Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) program. The REACH program aims to accelerate the translation of promising academic biomedical discoveries into real-world products that improve patient care and public health. Through this limited competition, NIH expects to fund five new academic entrepreneurship hubs. These hubs will provide researchers with early-stage funding, technical and business resources, mentorship in product development and commercialization, and entrepreneurship training.
Funded hubs will:
- Identify and support high-potential biomedical technologies.
- Fund feasibility, prototyping, and proof-of-concept studies.
- Offer access to expertise in science, regulation, reimbursement, business, law, and project management.
- Form a collaborative consortium to share best practices and resources.
- Encourage public-private partnerships and secure non-federal matching funds.
The program aligns with NIH’s mission and supports federal R&D priorities, including workforce development, technology transfer, and addressing health needs in underserved and rural areas.
