Announcement of Requirements and Registration for “$100,000 for Start a SUD Startup” Challenge, 38193-38195 [2016-13936]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 113 / Monday, June 13, 2016 / Notices
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limitations imposed by the review and
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Name of Committee: National Cancer
Institute Special Emphasis Panel, Software
for Measuring Environmental Effects on
Cancer.
Date: June 30, 2016.
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate contract
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Dated: June 8, 2016.
Melanie J. Gray,
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Committee Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016–13930 Filed 6–10–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Announcement of Requirements and
Registration for ‘‘$100,000 for Start a
SUD Startup’’ Challenge
The National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA), one of the
components of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), announces the ‘‘$100,000
for Start a SUD Startup’’ Challenge. The
Challenge goal is to support research
ideas that would further an
understanding of neurobiology as it
relates to Substance Use Disorders
(SUD) and that are intended to be the
basis for the development of a new and
potentially successful start-up. NIDA
hopes that participation in the contest
will enable scientists to test the
hypothesis that their research idea can
be fostered into a biotech startup, and
that eventually any newly created
startups will contribute to the pool of
innovative small business companies
that can successfully compete for
NIDA’s Small Business Innovation
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
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Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) funding.
Each Challenge winner will receive
$10,000. The Challenge total purse is up
to $100,000.
DATES: The Challenge begins June 13,
2016.
Submission Period: June 13, 2016 to
September 16, 2016, 11:59 p.m., ET.
Judging Period: September 19, 2016 to
October 21, 2016.
Winners Announced: October 24,
2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irina
Sazonova, Ph.D., M.Sc., Health Scientist
Administrator, Office of Translational
Initiatives and Program Innovations
(OTIPI), NIDA Challenge Administrator,
National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA), 6001 Executive Blvd. Room
4206, MSC 9555 Bethesda, MD 20892–
9555. Phone: (301) 827–9564, Email:
irina.sazonova@nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Institute’s Statutory Authority to
Conduct the Challenge. NIDA is
conducting this Challenge under the
America Creating Opportunities to
Meaningfully Promote Excellence in
Technology, Education, and Science
(COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of
2010, 15 U.S.C. 3719. The general
purpose of NIDA is to conduct and
support biomedical and behavioral
research, health-services research,
research training, and healthinformation dissemination with respect
to the prevention of drug abuse and the
treatment of drug abusers. This
Challenge is consistent with and
advances the mission of NIDA as
described in 42 U.S.C. 285o in that it
supports new and potential biotech
start-ups in the development of research
ideas that would further an
understanding of neurobiology as it
relates to SUD.
Subject of Challenge. NIDA is excited
to announce the first competition for
biomedical scientists with the goal to
support research ideas that would
further an understanding of
neurobiology as it relates to SUD and
that are intended to be the basis for the
development of a new and potentially
successful start-up. NIDA hopes that
participation in the contest will enable
scientists to test whether their research
ideas can be fostered into a biotech
startup. In 2016, NIDA will award up to
$100,000 in prizes to up to 10 winners
of the contest, $10,000 each.
Are you a biomedical scientist who
believes that he/she has a research idea
for a biotech start-up? This Challenge is
unique because NIDA intends to fund
the ‘‘would be’’ startup Founders much
earlier than most investors, incubators,
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
38193
or traditional modes of research funding
(e.g. small business grants).
What does it take to participate in the
Challenge? The team or an individual
must have a research idea that could
further the understanding of SUD and is
intended to be the basis of the
development of a new and potentially
successful startup. The research ‘‘idea’’
is the product that your future startup
will offer. Here, the term startup
‘‘product’’ is used in its broadest
definition. Product is any source of
value for the people who become
customers. Services, subscriptions,
software as a service (SaaS), physical/
tangible products, aggregations, etc.
could all provide value and thus be
considered startup products. The
startup product could be the result of
novel scientific discoveries, repurposing
an existing technology for a new use,
extending a research observation into a
different area, devising a new business
model or distribution/delivery channel
that unlocks value currently concealed,
or simply bringing a product or service
to previously underserved set of
customers. The Founder (the teams or
an individual) must demonstrate
through the Submission the passion,
drive, discipline, ability to work
collaboratively and willingness to push
forward under conditions of extreme
business uncertainty.
The winners of this Challenge are
encouraged to use the prize funds to
develop a minimum viable proof (MVP)
as quickly as possible and to obtain
customer feedback to discover if MVP
meets the customer needs. If the product
prototype is successfully validated,
winners are encouraged to create or
further advance their biotech startup no
later than 6 months after the prize is
awarded. Post Challenge, as with all
other NIH grant applicants, NIDA staff
will provide dedicated assistance and
guidance about the NIH grant
submission process, including
submissions for the SBIR/STTR grants.
The research idea must be broad
enough to address multiple conditions,
diseases, or indications consistent with
SUD or be specific for prevention and
treatments of SUD. For example, if your
idea can only work for cancer or
diabetes, entering this Challenge is not
appropriate. However, if the plan is to
test an idea for a research tool that
would further an understanding of
neurobiology or epigenetics relevant to
SUD to progress faster and with greater
fidelity, entering this Challenge is
appropriate.
Rules for Participating in the
Challenge. The Challenge is open to any
Founder 18 years of age or older. No
prior startup experience is necessary. A
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38194
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 113 / Monday, June 13, 2016 / Notices
Founder may be (i) an entity or (ii) an
individual or group of individuals (i.e.,
a team assembled with the purpose of
participating in this Challenge).
(1) To be eligible to win a prize under
this Challenge, an individual or entity:
a. Shall have registered to participate
in the Challenge under the rules
promulgated by NIDA as published in
this Notice;
b. Shall have complied with all the
requirements set forth in this Notice;
c. In the case of a private entity, shall
be incorporated in and maintain a
primary place of business or research
activity in the United States, and in the
case of an individual, whether
participating singly or in a group, shall
be a citizen or permanent resident of the
United States. However, non-U.S.
citizens and non-permanent residents
can participate as a member of a team
that otherwise satisfies the eligibility
criteria. Non-U.S. citizens and nonpermanent residents are not eligible to
win a monetary prize (in whole or in
part). Their participation as part of a
winning team, if applicable, may be
otherwise recognized when the results
are announced.
d. May not be a Federal entity;
e. May not be a Federal employee
acting within the scope of the
employee’s employment and further, in
the case of HHS employees, may not
work on their submission(s) during
assigned duty hours;
f. May not be an employee of the NIH,
a judge of the challenge, or any other
party involved with the design,
production, execution, or distribution of
the Challenge or the immediate family
of such a party (i.e., spouse, parent,
step-parent, child, or step-child).
g. Must be a potential start-up (i.e. not
yet formed) or a new start-up (i.e. in the
early stage of formation and
development).
(2) Federal grantees may not use
Federal funds to develop their
Challenge submissions.
(3) Federal contractors may not use
Federal funds from a contract to develop
their Challenge submissions or to fund
efforts in support of their Challenge
submission.
(4) Submissions must not infringe
upon any copyright or any other rights
of any third party.
(5) By participating in this Challenge,
each Founder (whether competing
singly or in a group) and entity agrees
to assume any and all risks and waive
claims against the Federal government
and its related entities (as defined in the
COMPETES Act), except in the case of
willful misconduct, for any injury,
death, damage, or loss of property,
revenue, or profits, whether direct,
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indirect, or consequential, arising from
participation in this Challenge, whether
the injury, death, damage, or loss arises
through negligence or otherwise.
(6) Based on the subject matter of the
Challenge, the type of work that it will
possibly require, as well as an analysis
of the likelihood of any claims for death,
bodily injury, property damage, or loss
potentially resulting from Challenge
participation, no Founder (whether
competing singly or in a group) or entity
participating in the Challenge is
required to obtain liability insurance or
demonstrate financial responsibility in
order to participate in this Challenge.
(7) By participating in this Challenge,
each Founder (whether competing
singly or in a group) and entity agrees
to indemnify the Federal government
against third party claims for damages
arising from or related to Challenge
activities.
(8) A Founder or entity shall not be
deemed ineligible because the Founder
or entity used Federal facilities or
consulted with Federal employees
during the Challenge if the facilities and
employees are made available to all
individuals and entities participating in
the Challenge on an equitable basis.
(9) By participating in this Challenge,
each Founder (whether participating
singly or in a group) or entity retains
title and full ownership in and to their
submission and each participant
expressly reserves all intellectual
property rights (e.g., copyright) in their
submission.
(10) NIDA reserves the right, in its
sole discretion, to (a) cancel, suspend,
or modify the Challenge, and/or (b) not
award any prizes if no entries are
deemed worthy.
(11) Each Founder (whether
participating singly or in a group) or
entity agrees to follow all applicable
Local, State, and Federal laws and
regulations.
(12) Each Founder (whether
participating singly or in a group) and
entity participating in this Challenge
must comply with all terms and
conditions of these rules, and
participation in this Challenge
constitutes each such contestant’s full
and unconditional agreement to abide
by these rules. Winning is contingent
upon fulfilling all requirements herein.
(13) Scientists working on the projects
that are directly applicable or adaptable
to benefit the SUD field, NIDA’s mission
area, are especially encouraged to apply.
A team can also include engineers, IT,
business or other professionals in the
biomedical science/health care field;
(14) Winners are encouraged to
submit the minimum viable proof
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(MVP) report 6 months after the prize
payment.
Registration Process for Contestants.
To participate in this Challenge visit
www.challenge.gov, search for ‘‘Start a
Startup’’ Challenge and follow the
instructions.
Submission Requirements. Each
submission for this Challenge requires a
complete ‘‘Submission Package.’’ The
Submission Package includes a 4-page
written proposal describing an idea and
5-min video introducing the team. Both
the idea and the Founders will be
evaluated.
(1) In the proposal:
1. Describe your research idea that
would further an understanding of
neurobiology as it relates to SUD and
that is intended to be the basis for a
successful start-up. (1 page)
2. Convince the Challenge reviewers
of your technical competence as a
biomedical scientist. Be brief, selective
and persuasive. Do not use the NIH
Bibliographic Sketch format. (0.5 page)
3. Describe, in as many details as
possible, what the prototype of your
product would look like. Then, walk the
Challenge reviewers through the typical
use of the product, using simple terms
and instructions. (1.5 pages)
4. Explain the methods you will use
(how, when, where, whom) to
determine whether the product is
needed by the target audience and
whether that audience would be willing
to pay for the product. (1 page)
The proposal must consist of a PDF
file with at least 1 inch margins and no
more than four (4) pages long. Font size
must be no smaller than 11 point Arial.
All submissions must be in English. The
Contestants must not use HHS’s logo or
official seal or the logo of NIH or NIDA
in the submissions, and must not claim
federal government endorsement.
(2) A brief video (link to YouTube)
must be no longer than five (5) minutes.
If the Challenge submission is from the
team of Founders, the entire team must
participate in the submitted video. In
the YouTube video:
• Tell NIDA something, in one
minute or less, that can illustrate the
drive or the desire of each founder to
develop a product that would further an
understanding of neurobiology as it
relates to SUD and that is intended to
be the basis for a successful start-up.
• Tell NIDA something about each
founder that shows a high level of
scientific and entrepreneurial ability.
• Tell NIDA something about each
founder that shows a high level of
perseverance and grit.
• Tell NIDA about a time when your
great idea was rejected. What was your
response?
E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 113 / Monday, June 13, 2016 / Notices
• Tell NIDA how you design
scientific experiments in general.
Amount of the Prize; Award
Approving Official. Up to ten monetary
prizes will be awarded. The total prize
award pool is up to $100,000. No
institutional indirect costs are allowed.
The names of the winners and the titles
of their submissions will be posted on
the NIDA Web site. The award
approving official for this Challenge is
the Director of the National Institute on
Drug Abuse.
Payment of the Prize. Prizes awarded
under this Challenge will be paid by
electronic funds transfer and may be
subject to Federal income taxes. The
NIH/NIDA will comply with the
Internal Revenue Service withholding
and reporting requirements, where
applicable.
Basis upon Which the Winner Will Be
Selected. The judging panel will make
recommendations to the award
approving official based upon the
following 5 criteria. Each criterion will
be scored with the maximum of 10
points.
(1) Significance and Unmet Needs (0–
10 points). Are there significant needs
for your product or service? Does the
project address an important problem or
a critical barrier to progress in the field
of drug abuse research? If the aims of
the project are achieved, how will
scientific knowledge, technical
capability, service or clinical practice be
improved?
(2) Innovation (0–10 points). Does the
submission seek to shift current
paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical
concepts, approaches, methodologies,
instrumentation, service or
interventions for drug abuse research? Is
your product novel in a broad sense? Is
a refinement, improvement or new
application of theoretical concepts,
approaches or methodologies
instrumentation or interventions
proposed?
(3) Approach (0–10 points). Are the
overall strategy, methodology, and
analyses well-reasoned and appropriate
to test the proposed idea? Has feedback
from end users been incorporated into
the validity of the idea proposed?
(4) Team expertise (0–10 points). Does
the individual or team demonstrate high
level of ability, perseverance and grit?
(5) Commercialization (0–10 points).
Is there a clear path for the product/
service to reach the market? Are the
product users and purchasers clearly
identified?
Submissions that are responsive and
comply with the entry requirements will
be reviewed by a panel of judges
consisting of federal employees. The
responsive and compliant submissions
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entries will be scored in accordance
with the judging criteria outlined above.
Final recommendations will be
determined by a vote of the judges based
on score. Scores from each criterion will
be weighted equally, but failure to meet
a minimum standard for any one
criterion might disqualify a submission.
The score for each submission will be
the sum of the scores from each of the
voting judges.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3719
Dated: June 7, 2016.
Nora D. Volkow,
Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse,
National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2016–13936 Filed 6–10–16; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice
of Closed Meetings
Pursuant to section 10(d) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is
hereby given of the following meetings.
The meetings will be closed to the
public in accordance with the
provisions set forth in sections
552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.,
as amended. The grant applications and
the discussions could disclose
confidential trade secrets or commercial
property such as patentable material,
and personal information concerning
individuals associated with the grant
applications, the disclosure of which
would constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of personal privacy.
Name of Committee: National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Special Emphasis Panel; RFA DK15–030
Type 1 Diabetes Pathfinder Award (DP2).
Date: July 14, 2016.
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: Residence Inn Bethesda, 7335
Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Contact Person: Ann A. Jerkins, Ph.D.,
Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch,
DEA, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health,
Room 7119, 6707 Democracy Boulevard,
Bethesda, MD 20892–5452, 301–594–2242,
jerkinsa@niddk.nih.gov.
Name of Committee: National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Special Emphasis Panel; NIDDK Program
Projects (P01).
Date: July 22, 2016.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
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Place: National Institutes of Health, Two
Democracy Plaza, 6707 Democracy
Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Telephone
Conference Call).
Contact Person: Jason D. Hoffert, Ph.D.,
Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch,
DEA, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health,
Room 7343, 6707 Democracy Boulevard,
Bethesda, MD 20817, 301–496–9010,
hoffertj@niddk.nih.gov.
Name of Committee: National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Special Emphasis Panel; Minor Endoscopic
Sphincterotomy for Recurrent Acute
Pancreatitis with Pancreas Divisum.
Date: July 25, 2016.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: National Institutes of Health, Two
Democracy Plaza, 6707 Democracy
Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Telephone
Conference Call).
Contact Person: Paul A. Rushing, Ph.D.,
Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch,
DEA, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health,
Room 7345, 6707 Democracy Boulevard,
Bethesda, MD 20892–5452, (301) 594–8895,
rushingp@extra.niddk.nih.gov.
Name of Committee: National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Special Emphasis Panel; Psychological and
Behavioral Mechanisms in Bariatric Surgery
(R01).
Date: July 26, 2016.
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: National Institutes of Health, Two
Democracy Plaza, 6707 Democracy
Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Telephone
Conference Call).
Contact Person: Paul A. Rushing, Ph.D.,
Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch,
DEA, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health,
Room 7345, 6707 Democracy Boulevard,
Bethesda, MD 20892–5452, (301) 594–8895,
rushingp@extra.niddk.nih.gov.
(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Nos. 93.847, Diabetes,
Endocrinology and Metabolic Research;
93.848, Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
Research; 93.849, Kidney Diseases, Urology
and Hematology Research, National Institutes
of Health, HHS)
Dated: June 6, 2016.
David Clary,
Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory
Committee Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016–13828 Filed 6–10–16; 8:45 am]
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National Institutes of Health
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of
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Pursuant to section 10(d) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 113 (Monday, June 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38193-38195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13936]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Announcement of Requirements and Registration for ``$100,000 for
Start a SUD Startup'' Challenge
SUMMARY: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), one of the
components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announces the
``$100,000 for Start a SUD Startup'' Challenge. The Challenge goal is
to support research ideas that would further an understanding of
neurobiology as it relates to Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and that
are intended to be the basis for the development of a new and
potentially successful start-up. NIDA hopes that participation in the
contest will enable scientists to test the hypothesis that their
research idea can be fostered into a biotech startup, and that
eventually any newly created startups will contribute to the pool of
innovative small business companies that can successfully compete for
NIDA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. Each Challenge winner will receive
$10,000. The Challenge total purse is up to $100,000.
DATES: The Challenge begins June 13, 2016.
Submission Period: June 13, 2016 to September 16, 2016, 11:59 p.m.,
ET.
Judging Period: September 19, 2016 to October 21, 2016.
Winners Announced: October 24, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irina Sazonova, Ph.D., M.Sc., Health
Scientist Administrator, Office of Translational Initiatives and
Program Innovations (OTIPI), NIDA Challenge Administrator, National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 6001 Executive Blvd. Room 4206, MSC
9555 Bethesda, MD 20892-9555. Phone: (301) 827-9564, Email:
irina.sazonova@nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Institute's Statutory Authority to
Conduct the Challenge. NIDA is conducting this Challenge under the
America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in
Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of
2010, 15 U.S.C. 3719. The general purpose of NIDA is to conduct and
support biomedical and behavioral research, health-services research,
research training, and health-information dissemination with respect to
the prevention of drug abuse and the treatment of drug abusers. This
Challenge is consistent with and advances the mission of NIDA as
described in 42 U.S.C. 285o in that it supports new and potential
biotech start-ups in the development of research ideas that would
further an understanding of neurobiology as it relates to SUD.
Subject of Challenge. NIDA is excited to announce the first
competition for biomedical scientists with the goal to support research
ideas that would further an understanding of neurobiology as it relates
to SUD and that are intended to be the basis for the development of a
new and potentially successful start-up. NIDA hopes that participation
in the contest will enable scientists to test whether their research
ideas can be fostered into a biotech startup. In 2016, NIDA will award
up to $100,000 in prizes to up to 10 winners of the contest, $10,000
each.
Are you a biomedical scientist who believes that he/she has a
research idea for a biotech start-up? This Challenge is unique because
NIDA intends to fund the ``would be'' startup Founders much earlier
than most investors, incubators, or traditional modes of research
funding (e.g. small business grants).
What does it take to participate in the Challenge? The team or an
individual must have a research idea that could further the
understanding of SUD and is intended to be the basis of the development
of a new and potentially successful startup. The research ``idea'' is
the product that your future startup will offer. Here, the term startup
``product'' is used in its broadest definition. Product is any source
of value for the people who become customers. Services, subscriptions,
software as a service (SaaS), physical/tangible products, aggregations,
etc. could all provide value and thus be considered startup products.
The startup product could be the result of novel scientific
discoveries, repurposing an existing technology for a new use,
extending a research observation into a different area, devising a new
business model or distribution/delivery channel that unlocks value
currently concealed, or simply bringing a product or service to
previously underserved set of customers. The Founder (the teams or an
individual) must demonstrate through the Submission the passion, drive,
discipline, ability to work collaboratively and willingness to push
forward under conditions of extreme business uncertainty.
The winners of this Challenge are encouraged to use the prize funds
to develop a minimum viable proof (MVP) as quickly as possible and to
obtain customer feedback to discover if MVP meets the customer needs.
If the product prototype is successfully validated, winners are
encouraged to create or further advance their biotech startup no later
than 6 months after the prize is awarded. Post Challenge, as with all
other NIH grant applicants, NIDA staff will provide dedicated
assistance and guidance about the NIH grant submission process,
including submissions for the SBIR/STTR grants.
The research idea must be broad enough to address multiple
conditions, diseases, or indications consistent with SUD or be specific
for prevention and treatments of SUD. For example, if your idea can
only work for cancer or diabetes, entering this Challenge is not
appropriate. However, if the plan is to test an idea for a research
tool that would further an understanding of neurobiology or epigenetics
relevant to SUD to progress faster and with greater fidelity, entering
this Challenge is appropriate.
Rules for Participating in the Challenge. The Challenge is open to
any Founder 18 years of age or older. No prior startup experience is
necessary. A
[[Page 38194]]
Founder may be (i) an entity or (ii) an individual or group of
individuals (i.e., a team assembled with the purpose of participating
in this Challenge).
(1) To be eligible to win a prize under this Challenge, an
individual or entity:
a. Shall have registered to participate in the Challenge under the
rules promulgated by NIDA as published in this Notice;
b. Shall have complied with all the requirements set forth in this
Notice;
c. In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and
maintain a primary place of business or research activity in the United
States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly
or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United
States. However, non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents can
participate as a member of a team that otherwise satisfies the
eligibility criteria. Non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents are
not eligible to win a monetary prize (in whole or in part). Their
participation as part of a winning team, if applicable, may be
otherwise recognized when the results are announced.
d. May not be a Federal entity;
e. May not be a Federal employee acting within the scope of the
employee's employment and further, in the case of HHS employees, may
not work on their submission(s) during assigned duty hours;
f. May not be an employee of the NIH, a judge of the challenge, or
any other party involved with the design, production, execution, or
distribution of the Challenge or the immediate family of such a party
(i.e., spouse, parent, step-parent, child, or step-child).
g. Must be a potential start-up (i.e. not yet formed) or a new
start-up (i.e. in the early stage of formation and development).
(2) Federal grantees may not use Federal funds to develop their
Challenge submissions.
(3) Federal contractors may not use Federal funds from a contract
to develop their Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of
their Challenge submission.
(4) Submissions must not infringe upon any copyright or any other
rights of any third party.
(5) By participating in this Challenge, each Founder (whether
competing singly or in a group) and entity agrees to assume any and all
risks and waive claims against the Federal government and its related
entities (as defined in the COMPETES Act), except in the case of
willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property,
revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential,
arising from participation in this Challenge, whether the injury,
death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
(6) Based on the subject matter of the Challenge, the type of work
that it will possibly require, as well as an analysis of the likelihood
of any claims for death, bodily injury, property damage, or loss
potentially resulting from Challenge participation, no Founder (whether
competing singly or in a group) or entity participating in the
Challenge is required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate
financial responsibility in order to participate in this Challenge.
(7) By participating in this Challenge, each Founder (whether
competing singly or in a group) and entity agrees to indemnify the
Federal government against third party claims for damages arising from
or related to Challenge activities.
(8) A Founder or entity shall not be deemed ineligible because the
Founder or entity used Federal facilities or consulted with Federal
employees during the Challenge if the facilities and employees are made
available to all individuals and entities participating in the
Challenge on an equitable basis.
(9) By participating in this Challenge, each Founder (whether
participating singly or in a group) or entity retains title and full
ownership in and to their submission and each participant expressly
reserves all intellectual property rights (e.g., copyright) in their
submission.
(10) NIDA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (a)
cancel, suspend, or modify the Challenge, and/or (b) not award any
prizes if no entries are deemed worthy.
(11) Each Founder (whether participating singly or in a group) or
entity agrees to follow all applicable Local, State, and Federal laws
and regulations.
(12) Each Founder (whether participating singly or in a group) and
entity participating in this Challenge must comply with all terms and
conditions of these rules, and participation in this Challenge
constitutes each such contestant's full and unconditional agreement to
abide by these rules. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all
requirements herein.
(13) Scientists working on the projects that are directly
applicable or adaptable to benefit the SUD field, NIDA's mission area,
are especially encouraged to apply. A team can also include engineers,
IT, business or other professionals in the biomedical science/health
care field;
(14) Winners are encouraged to submit the minimum viable proof
(MVP) report 6 months after the prize payment.
Registration Process for Contestants. To participate in this
Challenge visit www.challenge.gov, search for ``Start a Startup''
Challenge and follow the instructions.
Submission Requirements. Each submission for this Challenge
requires a complete ``Submission Package.'' The Submission Package
includes a 4-page written proposal describing an idea and 5-min video
introducing the team. Both the idea and the Founders will be evaluated.
(1) In the proposal:
1. Describe your research idea that would further an understanding
of neurobiology as it relates to SUD and that is intended to be the
basis for a successful start-up. (1 page)
2. Convince the Challenge reviewers of your technical competence as
a biomedical scientist. Be brief, selective and persuasive. Do not use
the NIH Bibliographic Sketch format. (0.5 page)
3. Describe, in as many details as possible, what the prototype of
your product would look like. Then, walk the Challenge reviewers
through the typical use of the product, using simple terms and
instructions. (1.5 pages)
4. Explain the methods you will use (how, when, where, whom) to
determine whether the product is needed by the target audience and
whether that audience would be willing to pay for the product. (1 page)
The proposal must consist of a PDF file with at least 1 inch
margins and no more than four (4) pages long. Font size must be no
smaller than 11 point Arial. All submissions must be in English. The
Contestants must not use HHS's logo or official seal or the logo of NIH
or NIDA in the submissions, and must not claim federal government
endorsement.
(2) A brief video (link to YouTube) must be no longer than five (5)
minutes. If the Challenge submission is from the team of Founders, the
entire team must participate in the submitted video. In the YouTube
video:
Tell NIDA something, in one minute or less, that can
illustrate the drive or the desire of each founder to develop a product
that would further an understanding of neurobiology as it relates to
SUD and that is intended to be the basis for a successful start-up.
Tell NIDA something about each founder that shows a high
level of scientific and entrepreneurial ability.
Tell NIDA something about each founder that shows a high
level of perseverance and grit.
Tell NIDA about a time when your great idea was rejected.
What was your response?
[[Page 38195]]
Tell NIDA how you design scientific experiments in
general.
Amount of the Prize; Award Approving Official. Up to ten monetary
prizes will be awarded. The total prize award pool is up to $100,000.
No institutional indirect costs are allowed. The names of the winners
and the titles of their submissions will be posted on the NIDA Web
site. The award approving official for this Challenge is the Director
of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Payment of the Prize. Prizes awarded under this Challenge will be
paid by electronic funds transfer and may be subject to Federal income
taxes. The NIH/NIDA will comply with the Internal Revenue Service
withholding and reporting requirements, where applicable.
Basis upon Which the Winner Will Be Selected. The judging panel
will make recommendations to the award approving official based upon
the following 5 criteria. Each criterion will be scored with the
maximum of 10 points.
(1) Significance and Unmet Needs (0-10 points). Are there
significant needs for your product or service? Does the project address
an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field of
drug abuse research? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will
scientific knowledge, technical capability, service or clinical
practice be improved?
(2) Innovation (0-10 points). Does the submission seek to shift
current paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches,
methodologies, instrumentation, service or interventions for drug abuse
research? Is your product novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement,
improvement or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or
methodologies instrumentation or interventions proposed?
(3) Approach (0-10 points). Are the overall strategy, methodology,
and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to test the proposed idea?
Has feedback from end users been incorporated into the validity of the
idea proposed?
(4) Team expertise (0-10 points). Does the individual or team
demonstrate high level of ability, perseverance and grit?
(5) Commercialization (0-10 points). Is there a clear path for the
product/service to reach the market? Are the product users and
purchasers clearly identified?
Submissions that are responsive and comply with the entry
requirements will be reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of
federal employees. The responsive and compliant submissions entries
will be scored in accordance with the judging criteria outlined above.
Final recommendations will be determined by a vote of the judges based
on score. Scores from each criterion will be weighted equally, but
failure to meet a minimum standard for any one criterion might
disqualify a submission. The score for each submission will be the sum
of the scores from each of the voting judges.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3719
Dated: June 7, 2016.
Nora D. Volkow,
Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of
Health.
[FR Doc. 2016-13936 Filed 6-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P