Interactive Digital Media STEM Resources for Pre-College and Informal Science Education Audiences (STTR) (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 18 403

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 403

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR-18-403) supports Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) projects that create or advance interactive digital media (IDM) STEM learning resources focused on health and medicine. The central aim is to help small businesses work with a nonprofit research institution partner to develop digital, interactive STEM materials that can influence student career interests and improve understanding of health and biomedical topics. The program is designed for two main audience groups: (1) pre-kindergarten through grade 12 (P-12) students and the educators who teach them (including both pre-service and in-service teachers), and (2) informal science education audiences who learn outside traditional classrooms, such as museum visitors, families, and community learners.

The FOA defines IDM broadly as computer-based digital products or services that actively respond to user input, delivering content through combinations of text, animation, video, audio, simulations, or game-like experiences. The emphasis is on interactivity that supports learning by doing: users make choices, try tasks, receive feedback, and progress through experiences that can be tailored or controlled by the learner. The rationale behind the program is that there is strong evidence IDM can improve learning and engagement across many settings, from schools to adult education and workforce training, especially when it combines practice, guidance, and immediate feedback in an immersive environment.

A key expectation is that these STTR projects will help translate existing or new health- and medicine-based educational content into effective digital formats. That can include adapting P-12 STEM curricula, modules, lessons, or even museum exhibits into interactive resources that are more accessible, scalable, and engaging than traditional materials alone. The resulting products are intended to provide hands-on, inquiry-based experiences that encourage exploration and problem-solving and can be used by students, teachers, and broader community audiences in formal and informal learning environments.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health under the R41/R42 STTR mechanism, and clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. Eligible applicants are small business concerns; however, consistent with STTR rules, projects must involve a formal collaboration with a research institution partner to conduct the R&D. Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, though foreign components may be permitted in limited cases as defined by NIH policy. The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.859, was created on 2017-10-04, and lists an original closing date of 2019-09-05.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Interactive Digital Media STEM Resources for Pre-College and Informal Science Education Audiences (STTR) (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-09-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.

Apply for PAR 18 403

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: