SBIR/STTR Programs Expired. Here Are 5 Funding Sources Most Biotech Founders Don't Know About

Focused research organizations, foundation mission grants, and more

If you’re building in biotech, you’re likely already aware that the SBIR and STTR programs in the United States expired on September 30th, 2025 and haven’t been reauthorized. For many founders, these programs represented the most accessible source of non-dilutive capital to help breakthrough technologies get off the ground without giving up equity.

The A2 Pilot Awards, another major source of early-stage funding for companies focused on aging, won’t re-open for applications until fall 2026.

But don’t despair. While SBIR and STTR have high visibility, they’re far from the only game in town. In this article, I’ll cover the grants, prizes, foundation funding, and alternative capital sources that can keep biotech innovation moving forward.

1. Focused Research Organizations (FROs)

What they are: FROs fund ambitious, multi-year research projects that are too large for a single lab but too risky for traditional funding. They’re designed specifically for the chasm between academic discovery and c…