Rockville, MD, June 10, 2021 – JuneBrain, Inc. has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant for $1 million to conduct research and development (R&D) work on a telehealth eye-scanning system.
JuneBrain’s product will help alleviate the burden of disease for the 1.3 billion individuals worldwide suffering from eye and brain disorders. This work is based on fundamental research demonstrating that the retina can be used to assess disease in the eyes and brain including, but not limited, to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The goal of JuneBrain’s technology is to enhance patient care and treatment by providing clinicians with a way to remotely and objectively monitor their patients between clinical visits and in non-traditional settings, including at home.
“NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”
“JuneBrain’s mission is to expand access to advanced imaging technologies that have traditionally been limited to specialized eye care clinics. By creating an easy-to-use, telehealth eye-scanning system, we are providing clinicians with a means to more quickly detect and treat disease in patients outside of the clinic,” said Dr. Samantha Scott, Founder and CEO of JuneBrain. “Early detection is a critical step in helping patients to live healthier and more empowered lives.”
Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $256,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Small businesses with Phase II funding are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.
NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses at any time. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.
To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/
About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs: America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $2 million in funding to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.