Overview
Welcome to the Innovation in Women's Health Research page at the NIH ORWH. Here, ORWH showcases groundbreaking advancements and transformative initiatives aimed at improving women's health. ORWH’s mission is to foster innovative research that addresses the unique health needs of women across their lifespans.
Major Initiatives and Programs
Women’s Health Innovation through Small Business Funding Opportunities
NIH’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs, managed by the Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Office, aim to support research and development in small businesses. These programs seek to drive technological innovation and translate scientific discoveries into health improvements.
Omnibus Solicitations for SBIR and STTR: ORWH is participating in the Fiscal Year 2025 Omnibus Solicitation for SBIR and STTR grant applications. ORWH’s participation in this solicitation reflects its understanding of the key role that small businesses will play in advancing innovation in women’s health.
ORWH encourages applications from small businesses that have a central focus on the health of women, as demonstrated through specific aims that either explicitly address a particular condition in women or focus on one of the high-priority topics identified in NOT-OD-24-079. A complete list of program descriptions is available here.
ORWH is participating in the following small business funding opportunities:
| PA-24-245 | PA-24-246 | PA-24-247 | PA-24-248 |
| Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH and CDC for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Clinical Trial Required) | PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Clinical Trial Required) |
Acronym definitions: CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA: Federal Drug Administration; NIH: National Institutes of Health
Please note that applicants may link their SBIR and STTR applications to the Notice of Special Interest on Women’s Health Research. The submission dates are January 5, 2025 and April 5, 2025.
Women’s Health Innovation Opportunity Map
In 2023, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NIH engaged over 250 experts and stakeholders who worked in women’s health in more than 50 countries, bringing broad perspectives from various geographic regions and sectors. The group collaborated to develop the Women’s Health Innovation Opportunity Map (historic document published prior to January 20, 2025) as a collaborative framework to advance women’s health innovation. The Opportunity Map highlights 50 high-impact opportunities across 10 topic areas:
- Data and modeling
- Research design and methodologies
- Regulatory and science policy
- Innovation introduction
- Social and structural determinants
- Training and careers
- Communicable diseases
- Non-communicable and chronic conditions
- Female-specific conditions
- Partnership for women’s health research and development
Innovation Success Stories
Discover academic innovators and small businesses supported by NIH that have developed innovative technologies that have improved health and saved lives.
Caring for the Caretakers: Addressing First Responder Burnout with an Online Toolkit
Handheld Ultrasound Device Guides Epidural Placement
Academic Discovery Leads to Promising Treatment for Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer
Woman-Owned Business Designs Games that Empower Youth
For more information about ORWH’s efforts in women’s health innovation, please contact ORWHInnovation@od.nih.gov.