Accelerating the development of targeted neuromodulation therapies
A National Institutes of Health competition that advanced neuromodulation solutions for clinical use.
Congratulations to the Phase 3 winners
University of Pittsburgh Department of Urology
First Place
A novel multi-channel implantable device for sacral-pudendal neuromodulation to treat bladder, bowel, and sexual disorders.
Juniper Biomedical (formerly RBI Medical)
Second Place
Highly precise, micro-implantable neuromodulation to treat stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder and fecal incontinence.
About the competition
The Neuromod Prize is a SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions) initiative from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund. The competition sought groundbreaking uses of peripheral nerve stimulation that can independently regulate two or more desired autonomic functions without unintended effects on non-target organs. The competition is complete after three phases.
CONCLUDED
Phase 1
Open to all eligible participants
Participants submitted concept papers describing their proposed therapeutic approach and plans for conducting proof-of-concept studies.
CONCLUDED
Phase 2
Open to winners of Phase 1
Eight Phase 1 winners were exclusively invited to develop proof-of-concept studies.
CONCLUDED
Phase 3
Open to winners of Phase 2
Four Phase 2 winners were exclusively invited to conduct IDE-enabling studies. First and second-place prizes were awarded.
Prize pool
A judging panel selected eight winners according to official Phase 1 judging criteria. Phase 1 winners each received $100,000 and the opportunity to compete for a share of $4 million in Phase 2. Four Phase 2 winners were selected to receive $1 million each and were invited to advance to Phase 3, where first and second-place winners were selected.
Total prize pool across three phases
Timeline
Phase 1 was open to all eligible participants — including scientists, engineers, and clinicians — to submit novel concepts and plans for development. Phase 2 invited eight Phase 1 winners to build on their submissions. In Phase 3, four winners from Phase 2 conducted IDE-enabling studies.
Phase 1 launch
Phase 1 submission deadline
Phase 1 winner announcement
Phase 2 launch
Phase 2 winner announcement
Phase 3 launch
Phase 3 winner announcement