Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH)

NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs

The REACH program supports academic innovators to convert promising scientific discoveries into medical products while training a diverse biomedical workforce that is globally competitive in technology development and entrepreneurship.

Early consideration of the healthcare impact and commercial viability of scientific discoveries, combined with milestone-driven product development plans, results in de-risked projects primed for startup company formation or licensing.

This trans-NIH program implements the Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership pilot program authorized in the 2011 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act (P.L. 112-81). In 2023, NIH committed $1 million per year for four years to five new REACH hubs (see the REACH Notice of Funding Opportunity). Together, they will support academic innovators at over 75 institutions in 12 states.

How the Programs Work

Education and Training

Innovators have access to education and training on topics such as market research, business strategy, regulatory and intellectual property planning, and fundraising through boot camps and hands-on programs.

Funding and Project Management

Selected technology development projects receive funding tied to specific technical and business milestones. These product definition studies are supervised by industry-experienced project managers.

Expert Feedback

Innovators receive personalized feedback on their product development, intellectual property, regulatory, reimbursement, and fundraising strategies from local industry experts and federal partners (NIH, FDA, CMS, USPTO).

Leveraging the Local Ecosystem

Hubs leverage state government resources, local academic institutions, and industry partners to supplement funding and support from NIH.

CBC HITES

Chicago Biomedical Consortium Hub of Innovative Technologies for Entrepreneurship and Science

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GCC-REACH

Gulf Coast Consortia REACH

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Mid-South REACH

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Rocky Mountain REACH

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UM-BILD

University of Maryland Baltimore Life Science Discovery

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