SMI’s Life Sciences Practice advances biomedical innovation by aligning government, industry, and academia to accelerate technology development, secure federal support, and deliver solutions that improve warfighter health, advance combat casualty care, and strengthen national security and public health outcomes.
The federal government is a significant source of non-dilutive funding to support and de-risk life sciences research and development (R&D) programs that benefit both civilian populations and the warfighter. Funding from the Department of War and the Department of Health and Human Services can advance a broad range of R&D activities, including discovery, Investigational New Drug-enabling studies, manufacturing scale-up, medical countermeasure development, and clinical trials. Federal investment also provides an important validation signal that can help attract private capital and strategic partners. Yet navigating the federal landscape – particularly within the Department of War – can be challenging, with complex agencies, acronyms, requirements, and acquisition pathways. Identifying which organizations, programs, and opportunities align with a specific technology or stage of development requires both technical understanding and policy expertise.
SMI’s Life Sciences team has a proven track record of securing federal research funding from the Department of War and the Department of Health and Human Services, including through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, the Defense Health Agency, the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. SMI has supported a wide range of technologies, including combat casualty care, prolonged field care, medical countermeasures, AI-enabled clinical tools, regenerative medicine, medical devices, diagnostics, and biomanufacturing capabilities. Our approach combines direct engagement with program officers and federal stakeholders to build and position opportunities with congressional outreach to shape policy, strengthen budgets, and elevate client visibility. That work is reinforced by SMI’s national network of subject matter experts, industry partners, research organizations, and government decision-makers.
SMI helps life sciences clients translate promising science into funded federal opportunities. Our in-house experts, senior advisers, and lobbyists develop funding strategies and engagement plans tailored to each client’s stage of development, technical maturity, and target market. The SMI team understands traditional mechanisms, including Broad Agency Announcements, Requests for Proposals, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, as well as more flexible pathways such as Other Transaction Authority agreements and consortium-based opportunities. By integrating scientific insight, federal market intelligence, policy strategy, and sustained stakeholder engagement, SMI helps clients build connectivity, accelerate growth, and expand the capability and capacity needed to deliver meaningful health and readiness solutions.
Life Sciences Practice Area Lead: Dr. Travis Taylor
Life Sciences Insights
Travis Taylor; Aug. 12, 2026
