TIGAR FAQs

Proposers may submit more than one Solution Video, provided that each submission is based on distinct concepts.

Proposers should use slides to present key information supporting their proposed concept in the Solution Video. ARPA-H will not provide a template or prescribe a format for these Solution Video slides in order to give proposers flexibility to present information in a manner that best supports understanding and assessment of the proposed effort. However, please note that the required Supplemental Slides, which are part of the Solution Video submission package, must follow the template and instructions provided in Appendix B.1.

The human tissue system used to demonstrate proof of concept should be consistent throughout the duration of TIGAR, but may increase in complexity/size as the program progresses (e.g. thick tissue to organ; increase in tissue thickness) or incorporate additional tissue systems. Per Appendix A of the TIGAR ISO, proposers must provide clear clinical justification for the proposed tissue system used to demonstrate concept feasibility. The justification should also be supported by: (1) a demonstrated track record with the selected tissue system(s), and (2) a reliable and sufficient tissue supply/source to support the full scope of planned development and research activities.

Yes, normothermic or hypothermic machine perfusion approaches are within scope if they are enabling technologies as part of a long-term preservation strategy.  For practical reasons, they may not be used as a sole strategy to achieve long-term banking of tissues or organs. 

Concept feasibility demonstrations should prioritize clinical translation and, therefore, the use of human tissue systems is strongly preferred. If access to human tissue is limited — particularly for higher-order constructs such as organs — proposers must clearly justify the use of an alternative tissue source within their proposal and its relevance as a model for human tissue. Per Appendix A of the TIGAR ISO, justification of the proposed tissue system should also be supported by: (1) a demonstrated track record with the selected tissue system(s), and (2) a reliable and sufficient tissue supply/source to support the full scope of planned development and research activities.

TIGAR does not specify a required Technology Readiness Level (TRL). However, the program is seeking early-stage, high-risk preservation concepts capable of generating proof-of-concept results within the TIGAR performance period.

TIGAR is primarily focused on long-term biobanking strategies for complex tissues, thus the 30-day benchmark is meant to test novel long-term preservation concepts within the short timeframe of the program. Advances that improve short-term organ logistics, while important, are not the focus of this solicitation. Innovative concepts that are focused on short-term logistics issues related to organs or otherwise do not fit the scope of TIGAR but have the potential to dramatically transform health can be submitted for consideration to the open Mission Office ISO.

The TIGAR program is primarily focused on long-term biobanking strategies for complex tissues, but concepts that also ease short-term logistics as part of that strategy are considered in scope, as are strategies that reduce overall dependence on maintaining product temperatures within narrow temperature zones. Long-term storage must be addressed in the proposal, with a demonstration of progress required in phase 2. As part of the overall proposal, demonstrations of shipping/transportation ease are optional but encouraged if they are a hallmark of the proposed innovation. Innovations solely focused on short-term logistics, while important, are not the focus of this solicitation. 

Per Section 6.2 of the TIGAR ISO, proposers must provide a good faith representation that they either own or possess appropriate licensing rights to all intellectual property (IP) that will be utilized in the proposed effort. Proposers are strongly encouraged to secure all relevant IP as early as possible and to include this information in their submission. Where IP has not yet been fully secured prior to submission, proposers may instead articulate their intentions and plan for securing the necessary rights, as this will not preclude consideration of the proposal.

While preliminary data is not required for the proposed concept, proposers must demonstrate a credible track record of working with their selected tissue system(s).

TIGAR is an Exploratory Topic focused on generating new ideas that can enable long-term banking of complex tissue preservation at practical temperatures. Exploratory Topics may seed or inform future investments, but they are not intended as a gateway to a larger program, and the launch of an Exploratory Topic does not guarantee that a future program will be released in this area.  

Proposers may define metrics and milestones that are appropriate to their specific concept, tissue system, and intended application. However, those metrics and milestones should remain aligned with the overall TIGAR program structure, including the phased performance framework and the proof-of-concept objective described in the solicitation materials. In other words, there is flexibility in how technical progress is demonstrated, but proposals should still present a clear, measurable, and credible path through the 9- and 18-month periods.

Not all foreign entities are eligible for ARPA-H funding. Awards will not be made to entities organized under the laws of a covered foreign country, defined in the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. § 3059) as Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China. Individual solicitations may allow or restrict the participation of foreign entities to varying degrees. For more information, please visit ARPA-H’s International Affairs webpage and FAQs.

If your concept does not fit the TIGAR scope, objectives, or performance timeline, it would not be a strong fit for submission to TIGAR. However, innovative ideas with the potential to dramatically transform health may be appropriate for consideration under ARPA-H’s open Mission Office ISO, if they align with that solicitation’s criteria. Proposers should carefully review the relevant solicitation materials before submitting.

The proposer must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) by the submission of the Full Proposal, not the Solution Video. See section 3.2 of the TIGAR ISO for details.

While a business model is not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to include supporting information that articulates the potential impact of their proposed concept upon successful completion, as this will strengthen the competitiveness of their submission. 

A white space chart should convey the opportunity space for the proposed concept by identifying gaps, underserved areas, or unexplored territory within the relevant market, technology landscape, or competitive environment.

Proposers whose concepts were not selected following the first intake are eligible to resubmit in the second intake group. 

Here are the steps for submitting a Solution Video through the ARPA-H Solutions site. After creating an account, or signing in to an existing account, follow the steps below:

1. Select the drop down arrow next to ‘Start a Submission’ on the main page.

2. Select ‘ Solution Summary’

3. Select ‘Start Submission’ 

4. Enter information as it applies to your TIGAR submission and select ‘Continue’ to proceed to the following pages:

a. Solution Summary Information 

b. Budget Information 

c. Organization & Key Personnel

d. File Uploads

Note: To upload a Solution Video, you must first acknowledge the Video Upload Consent, Privacy, and Use by selecting ‘Accept’. 

i. Upload your Solution Video by selecting ‘Choose File’ in the Video Submission field.

ii. Upload a single captions file for your video submission by selecting ‘Choose File’ in the Video Captions field, or

iii. Upload a single transcript file for your video submission by selecting ‘Choose File’ in the Video Transcript field

iv. Upload your Supplemental Slides by selecting ‘Choose File’ in the Optional Uploads section. 

Note: The Supplemental Slides are required as part of the complete TIGAR Solution Video submission package. You must upload the Supplemental Slides in the Optional Uploads section.

5. Review the submitted content for accuracy and complete your submission by selecting ‘Submit’.