Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Thanks for your interest in the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). If your question is not addressed below, please use the form on our contact page to reach us.

General Questions

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is a funding agency that supports high-impact research capable of driving biomedical and health breakthroughs that can deliver transformative, sustainable, and equitable health solutions for everyone. ARPA-H’s mission focuses on leveraging research advances for real world impact. The ARPA model enables visionary Program Managers to tackle a specific problem, working with a range of performers and a variety of approaches to solve that problem, while incorporating measurement and evaluation throughout the process.

President Biden proposed the creation of ARPA-H to improve the U.S. government’s ability to speed biomedical and health solutions. On March 15, 2022, the FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 117-103) was signed into law authorizing the establishment of ARPA-H within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ARPA-H will make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies and broadly applicable platforms, capabilities, resources, and solutions with the potential to advance areas of medicine and health that cannot readily be accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity.

No. Our aim is to provide dynamic, transformative health solutions for all people across a broad range of diseases.

ARPA-H doesn’t own or operate its own research labs – rather, it oversees research that takes place at various facilities around the country.

ARPA-H will draw on and contribute to NIH’s vast knowledge, expertise, and infrastructure, but remain distinct and independent, with its own culture, policies, and processes. ARPA-H is a separate funding agency and, like other ARPAs, will create new capabilities and solve problems through ambitious, well-specified, and measurable programs. The director of ARPA-H reports to the HHS Secretary.

ARPA-H does not have any labs or intramural program. Importantly, the vast majority of our funding will leave our agency as programs launch, funding the best and brightest potential solutions across the country. Our Stakeholder and Operations hub is located in downtown D.C. In addition, we operate two consortium-managed hubs based in Dallas, TX and the greater Boston area, MA, to connect with patients, investors, and other members of the health research ecosystem. Each consortium-managed hub operates a spoke network, enabling ARPA-H to work with communities across the United States and its territories. Learn more about the ARPANET-H innovation network.

Work with ARPA-H

A Program Manager (PM) champions a core idea to improve health, frames the challenge, and awards projects to new multidisciplinary teams, with measurement and evaluation conducted throughout the process to ensure that the best solutions advance. Program Managers will serve an initial three-year-term, renewable up to six years maximum, to design, launch, and run all aspects of their programs. PMs serve a term-limited appointment to ensure a constant rotation of new ideas and diverse perspectives.

ARPA-H welcomes applications from a diverse group of experts from around the country who can bring bold ideas that have the potential to be the next transformative health solution.

The best way to share your idea is by submitting an application. You can learn more about the process and access the application form on our Program Managers page. As part of the formal process, applicants will be required to pitch a potential program using the framework of Heilmeier Questions adapted for ARPA-H.

Check our Careers page for more information about open positions or visit USAJobs.gov.

International Questions

Yes. In our interconnected world, where diseases and health issues transcend borders, and where the most challenging health problems cannot be solved by any one country, it is essential for nations to work together to improve healthcare and promote global well-being. ARPA-H recognizes the importance of international cooperation and coordination, and will continue to explore opportunities to do so.  

While ARPA-H will prioritize awards to entities (organization or individuals) that will conduct funded work in the United States, it is not a requirement. For clinical trials, ARPA-H strongly prefers that they be performed in the United States. However, trials in other countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis at ARPA-H's discretion.  

Yes, ARPA-H can contract with a foreign entity. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 290c(n)(1), ARPA-H will prioritize awards to entities (organization and/or individuals) that will conduct funded work in the United States. However, non-U.S. entities may participate to the extent that such participants comply with any necessary nondisclosure agreements, security regulations, export control laws, and other governing statutes applicable under the circumstances. Non-U.S. entities are encouraged to collaborate with domestic U.S. entities. In no case will awards be made to entities organized under the laws of a covered foreign country [as defined in section 119C of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. § 3059)] or entities suspended or debarred from business with the U.S. Government.  

In reviewing foreign applications, ARPA-H relies on the Foreign Award and Component Tracking System (FACTS) process established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which sends a request to the Department of State, including U.S. embassies, to review foreign components—i.e., the performance of any significant scientific elements of a project involving sites, researchers, collaborators, collaborating organizations, and/or institutes outside the U.S. More information is available at the NIH’s FACTS website. 

The Division of International Affairs at ARPA-H is responsible for promoting and managing international collaborations, partnerships, and initiatives that advance the agency's mission of driving innovation in biomedical research. The Division of International Affairs formulates and executes ARPA-H's global collaboration strategy by identifying key international stakeholders, potential partners, and research opportunities that align with the agency's mission and enhance the impact of ARPA-H's initiatives on a global scale.  

Eligibility criteria for international funding opportunities vary. ARPA-H welcomes applications from qualified international researchers, institutions, and organizations. Specific eligibility criteria, including qualifications and project scopes, are detailed in the guidelines accompanying each program solicitation on SAM.gov. In general, like U.S. participants, international partners can participate in ARPA-H research contracts as either a “prime organization” or on a team as a “subcontractor.” Interested international partners may sign up on “teaming” pages on our website – linked from each program description page – which are provided to facilitate teaming.

International partnerships, like domestic partnerships, should advance the goals of ARPA-H programs and other funding opportunities. ARPA-H continues to solicit innovative proposals for health and health care research and development (R&D) across its four missions areas: Health Science Futures, Resilient Systems, Scalable Solutions, and Proactive Health.  

Public Affairs: News and Social Media

Media with queries should email directly to media@arpa-h.gov. Please include your deadline and details of your request, including key questions.

Yes. You can find ARPA-H on LinkedIn, X (@ARPA_H), Instagram (@arpahealth), and YouTube (@ARPA_H).

In addition to checking for the latest announcements on our News page, new research programs are launched frequently. Subscribe to our ARPA-H Vitals newsletter for update delivered to your inbox.