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Tag: non dilutive funding

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How Irish Companies Use RD&I Funding for Product Development

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Ireland has quietly become one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. From medtech startups in Galway to fintech disruptors in Dublin, Irish companies are leveraging Research, Development and Innovation funding  (RD&I funding) at an impressive scale, using it not just to conduct research, but to bring genuinely new products to market faster and more effectively […]

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Uncategorized

The Enterprise Ireland RD&I Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

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If your company is developing a new product or service, you may be leaving significant money on the table by not applying for Enterprise Ireland’s Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) Fund. This is one of Ireland’s most important supports for innovative companies, and yet many eligible businesses do not apply. This guide walks you through […]

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NIH SBIR/STTR Solicitations 2026

SBIR/STTR

NIH SBIR/STTR Solicitations 2026

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alongside the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recently released the SBIR/STTR omnibus solicitation packages. This release introduces important changes to how the HHS funds early-stage biomedical commercialization via SBIR/STTR programs. Small business concerns (SBCs) must now adapt to the structural adjustments, redefined budgetary caps, and tightened security […]

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Alien, SBIR/STTR Solicitations, NSF 2026

SBIR/STTR

NSF SBIR/STTR Solicitations 2026

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The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recently issued its SBIR/STTR NSF Solicitations 2026, introducing key updates to its early-stage commercialization framework. Administered by the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the NSF SBIR/STTR solicitations have adjusted their structure to better support the development of high-risk, high-reward technologies. With new structural consolidations and revised funding […]

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SBIR/STTR

Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI): Accelerating Next-Generation Joint Research and Drug Discovery

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Key takeaways Osteoarthritis research is shifting from reactive, late-stage structural assessment to proactive, data-driven, precision approaches enabled by the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). By integrating large-scale longitudinal muti-omics, predictive AI modeling, and precise patient stratification, innovators can discover early biochemical markers and accelerate disease-modifying interventions,  raising standard of care from symptom management to targeted, structural therapeutics. […]

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SBIR/STTR

Microbiome Science and the Move Toward Mechanistic Approaches in Human Health Studies

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Summary Microbiome research is shifting from correlation to causation, with growing emphasis on mechanistic insights, multi-omics integration, and translational outcomes. This shift is redefining what funders expect from life sciences and biotech projects, raising the bar for scientific rigor, clarity, and real-world impact. Advances in microbiome science are reshaping how we understand human biology, disease progression, and […]

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SBIR/STTR

Neuroscience and the Future of Deep Tech: Leveraging Computational Frameworks for Innovation

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The human brain remains the most complex processing unit known to man, yet its fundamental mechanisms are no longer a total mystery. For founders of deep-tech startups and AI professionals, the intersection of biology and silicon represents a multi-billion-dollar frontier. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently highlighted a critical shift in this field: the […]

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SBIR/STTR

Strategic Drug Discovery: Accelerating Therapeutics for Nervous System Disorders

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The pharmaceutical industry faces exceptionally high attrition rates when developing therapies for progressive neurological diseases. Historically, central nervous system drug candidates achieve only half the success rate of other therapeutic areas. Yet, conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) now affect over 3 billion people worldwide, making them the leading cause of […]

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SBIR/STTR

Why Strong Grant Accounting Is Essential for Long-Term Research Funding

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Securing grant funding is a major milestone for high-tech startups spending huge funds in R&D. However, it is not the finish line but merely a starting block for long-term survival. The long-term success depends on the company’s ability to manage funding responsibly, demonstrate unwavering financial discipline, and scale sustainably. At the heart of this capability […]

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SBIR/STTR

How a Clear Commercialization Plan Strengthens Your NSF Application

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Many founders approach NSF SBIR/STTR proposals thinking that groundbreaking technology is enough. After all, NSF exists to fund innovation. However, sometimes, strong technical proposals fail, not for lack of exciting science but for a weak commercialization story. The NSF does not just fund research; it invests in companies that can translate that research into real […]

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Reauthorization of SBIR/STTR program, USA, Alien, grant funding

SBIR/STTR

Reauthorization of the SBIR/STTR Program

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The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, collectively known as America’s Seed Fund, are central to the federal innovation ecosystem. These programs have delivered over $70 billion in R&D funding to more than 30,000 small businesses, generating an estimated $22 to $33 of private investment for every federal dollar […]

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US Government shutdown, SBIR/STTR, Funding

Grant Fundraising

SBIR/STTR Funding Resumes Post-US Shutdown: A focus on NIH and NSF

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The longest US shutdown is finally over, and as of November 12th, both the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are back to business. Both NIH and NSF are now operating under a continuing resolution that runs until January 30, 2026. While this restart is positive news for applicants, there […]

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Grant Fundraising

Key Changes and Dates from the EIC Work Programme 2026

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The European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme for 2026 was released in November 2025, establishing a strategy defined by increased upstream risk-taking, operational streamlining for capital deployment, and a heightened focus on technologies critical for European sovereignty. In this article we present the key changes that will take effect for the EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, […]

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Grant Fundraising

Breaking Down the Three Phases of SBIR/STTR

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  The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive, non-dilutive funding opportunities for small businesses in the United States. Often referred to as “America’s Seed Fund,” these programs provide early-stage capital for research and development (R&D) of innovative technologies with strong commercial potential. SBIR/STTR programs are coordinated […]

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Grant Fundraising

Day 24 of the Government Shutdown: What it means for SBIR/STTR?

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US startups continue to face challenges in accessing R&D federal funding due to two concurrent federal failures: The Government Shutdown, or Lapse in Appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. The Statutory Sunset of the SBIR and STTR programs (15 U.S.C. 638), which also expired on September 30, 2025  The […]

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Grant Fundraising

Grants vs Investors: How to Use Public Grant Funding to Strengthen Your Valuation

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For early-stage founders, securing capital is often one of the biggest hurdles. They typically think of private investors as the go-to source of financing. However, in the rush for capital, many founders often overlook a powerful strategic tool that can fundamentally change their fundraising trajectory: public grant funding. While investors bring not just money but […]

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Grant Fundraising

SBIR/STTR Grant Readiness Checklist: What Every Startup Should Prepare Before Applying

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Securing non-dilutive funding through grant applications can help startups and small businesses bring their technology to the market without giving up equity. However, the process of developing a grant-winning proposal is not only time-consuming, but  requires scientific, business, and administrative expertise that is often underestimated by early-stage companies. 1)  Introduction: Why Grant Readiness Matters SBIR/STTR […]

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SBIR/STTR

How Alien Helps You Go from Idea to Funded SBIR/STTR Proposal

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Securing SBIR/STTR funding is one of the most effective ways for innovators, small businesses, and researchers to transform groundbreaking ideas into commercially successful products. However, navigating the application process can be daunting, especially for first-time applicants. From understanding the eligibility criteria to crafting a compelling proposal, the journey to obtaining SBIR/STTR funding requires strategic planning, […]

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National Institute of Health (US)

NIH Research: Prioritizing Human-Based Research Technologies

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced steps toward prioritizing human-relevant research technologies in biomedical research. This initiative aims to reduce the reliance on animal models by promoting alternative methods that better replicate human biology, thereby enhancing the real-world impact of NIH research and biomedical research overall.   The New Direction The NIH’s initiative […]

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National Institute of Health (US)

Back by Popular Demand: Mastering NIH Funding

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After an overwhelming response to our last NIH funding session, we’re bringing it back. The complexities of the SBIR/STTR application process often leave founders and researchers unsure of how to begin—or how to stand out. If you’re developing a healthtech innovation and aiming for NIH support, this webinar is your opportunity to gain clarity and […]

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SBIR/STTR National Institute of Health (US)

What Does the Impact Score Mean for Your NIH SBIR/STTR Application?

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When you’re applying for NIH SBIR or STTR funding, one of the most anticipated—and sometimes most anxiety-inducing—moments is receiving your impact score. But what does that number actually mean? And how should you interpret it as an applicant? In this post, we’ll break down what the impact score is, how it’s calculated, and how it […]

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National Science Foundation (US)

NSF SBIR/STTR Deadline: July 2 — How to Prepare with Confidence

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR/STTR deadline is fast approaching on July 2, 2025. If you’re a startup with groundbreaking technology, now is the time to take action. Whether you are applying for the first time or resubmitting with improvements, preparing your proposal requires more than just meeting the deadline—it requires strategy, clarity, and alignment with […]

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