TIGAR Exploratory Topic
Advancing Biopreservation Capabilities for Tissues and Organs to Unlock New Possibilities in Medicine
Solicitation Status: Accepting Submissions. This program has an open funding opportunity. Complete opportunity details and application documents are posted to the System for Award Management (SAM). Stay on this page for an overview of the program and its opportunity. Or, navigate directly to the solicitation posting (ARPA-H-SOL-26-144).
Technology InteGrator and AcceleratoR (TIGAR) Exploratory Topic
Treatment of many diseases and injuries depend on reliable access to replacement tissues. But today, the access to these resources is limited by the short viability window of donated or engineered tissues. Most organs can only be stored for hours to days, and long-term preservation of complex tissues is currently out of reach. This constraint contributes directly to organ shortages, limits access to care, and slows progress in regenerative medicine.
The Technology Integrator and Accelerator (TIGAR) Exploratory Topic (ET) is an ARPA-H initiative to accelerate research and overcome the current barriers to preserving complex human tissues. TIGAR aims to rapidly evaluate early-stage, high-risk preservation technologies and explore what is possible to stabilize tissues across different temperature ranges, store them for longer periods, and rapidly restore them to a functional state after storage.
TIGAR will test bold ideas and generate proof-of-concept results that can lay the foundation for future breakthroughs in tissue preservation and regenerative medicine.
Exploratory Topics are fast-paced efforts that strategically align with ARPA-H Mission Offices and provide foundational proof of concept for future research. The initiative anticipates progress to be made within 18 months of award and will include two 9-month phases. TIGAR will prioritize non-cryogenic and temperature-flexible preservation approaches and budgets for proposals are not to exceed $2M.
If successful, TIGAR could enable a future where tissues and organs are no longer constrained by time. The exploratory topic aims to accelerate biopreservation research, expand access to organ transplantation, and open new possibilities for repairing the human body.
Solicitation Overview
Solicitation Notice ID: ARPA-H-SOL-26-144
Key Dates:
- Intake Group 1 is closed
- Intake Group 2 Solution Summary Video Due - December 8, 2026
Submitting a summary is required to move forward with this opportunity. After submitting a summary, await feedback from ARPA-H before proceeding. - Proposal Due - February 5, 2027
Only accepting select submissions based on meeting previous deadline requirements. Reference solicitation for dates and details.
Interested in this opportunity? Download the official solicitation documents which are posted on SAM.gov. The documents outline complete opportunity details including requirements, evaluation criteria, eligibility information, and provide application templates with detailed instructions on how to apply. When ready, you will submit applications to the ARPA-H Solutions site. Registration or sign-in required.
Access Solicitation Documents Submit an Application
RELATED LINKS & RESOURCES
- Opportunity-specific FAQs: Review questions and answers about this opportunity asked by other interested parties.
- Ask A Question: Submit a question about this opportunity. Sign-in required.
- TIGAR webinar: View the previously recorded informational session for proposers.
- Submission & Application FAQs: Find answers to common questions about the ARPA-H application process.
- Navigating the Application Process: A guide on what to expect when applying to an ARPA-H opportunity.
An Introduction to TIGAR
Seventeen people will die today waiting for an organ transplant. The waitlist is currently over 100,000 people. But what if we could put an end to the waitlist? ARPA-H has launched TIGAR so that in the future, no American will ever have to lose their life waiting for a donor. Learn more about TIGAR from Gloria Elliott, Ph.D., ARPA-H Program Manager.