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Program Manager Application

Transform the Future of Health

If you have a bold, ambitious idea and feel you would be a good fit for ARPA-H, please complete the form below and submit your cover letter, CV, and idea or concept that addresses the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions.

ARPA-H will support concepts brought to life directly from Program Managers that have not only identified a key problem in health today, but are also passionate about a vision to bring forward revolutionary solutions to solve the problem, and do so in an equitable way. ARPA-H embraces a culture of open innovation and empowers its program managers to fearlessly pursue health breakthroughs that cannot readily be accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity.

Program managers at ARPA-H will serve a term-limited appointment of three years, and no more than six years total, to ensure a constant rotation of new ideas and diverse perspectives.

Application Process

1

Reach out to us

Submit your cover letter, CV, and program concepts (3-page summary of each program idea, answering the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions). We’ll reach back out if we think proceeding to Step 2 is a good fit.

Submission Form Below

2

Talk with us

An ARPA-H technical lead will reach out to schedule a meeting to learn more about your ideas and answer your questions about the process and life as a Program Manager. Well-defined problems and clear expertise to move them toward solutions will help you progress to Step 3.

3

Prepare to pitch

You will work with your ARPA-H contact to build a more fully fleshed out program idea and a program “pitch” deck that will be the basis of your introductory talk to your potential future ARPA-H colleagues. When ready, will invite you in to give that talk.

4

The Pitch!

You will present your program idea(s) to your potential future colleagues, including ARPA-H leadership. If selected to join the ARPA-H team, we'll empower you to take on that bold, ambitious idea to change the world by creating new health futures for everyone.

ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions

*Answers required as part of your program concept submission

Based on a set of questions developed by former DARPA Director, George H. Heilmeier (1975-1977), known as the “Heilmeier Catechism,” the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions provide potential ARPA-H PMs high-level guidance for what information should be included in their proposals, as well as allow PMs to communicate to ARPA-H leadership what they hope to accomplish with the program.

  1. What are you trying to do? What health problem are you trying to solve? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon.
  2. How is it done today? What are the limitations of present approaches?
  3. What is new about your approach? Why do you think you can be successful at this time?
  4. Who cares? If you succeed, what difference will it make?
  5. What are the risks? Identify any risks that may prevent you from reaching your objectives, as well as any risks the program itself may present.
  6. How long will it take?
  7. How much will it cost?
  8. What are your mid-term and final exams to check for success?
  9. To ensure equitable access for all people, how will cost, accessibility, and user experience be addressed?
  10. How might this program be misperceived or misused (and how can we prevent that from happening)?

We know you are here for a short time to solve important problems, and are committed to help you “level up” professionally while you are here too.

Application

Required fields are marked with an asterisk*

Separate multiple entries with commas

1000/1000

The title of your first program proposal

The title of your second program proposal

5-7 keywords seperated by commas

5-7 keywords seperated by commas

Program Concepts: You must submit two potential program concepts in response to the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions - a seemingly simple set of questions that are notoriously difficult to answer well. These questions are intended to help you focus clearly and deliberately on a specific problem you are trying to solve. Recommended resources:

  • Guide to answering the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions. Download Guide
  • Template to help format your responses (no more than 3-pages per program concept). Download Template

Attachment: Cover Letter, Program Concept and CV

To complete your application, attach the following four documents as separate PDF files using the upload tool below. Then click the submit button.

  1. (no more than 2-pages), addressing:
    • Why you want to join ARPA-H
    • What you hope to accomplish at ARPA-H
    • Relevant qualifications and attributes (such as domain expertise, team building, drive, and innovativeness)
    • If you have prior ARPA experience, please include up to one additional page describing what were the positive and negative aspects of your experience.

Program Manager positions are term-limited by design to ensure a constant rotation of new ideas, new problems to solve, and diverse perspectives. Please note that U.S. citizenship is required for employment. Selected candidates for all positions will be required to undergo a thorough background investigation.