For Small Businesses
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) supports small businesses by providing funding opportunities for innovative health research and development projects. We offer access to expert guidance, technical resources, and connections with partners, investors, and collaborators to help bring transformative ideas to market.
Learn more about the capabilities and services available to all ARPA-H funded performers, including small businesses, which help accelerate the commercialization of products.
Small Business Award Opportunities
ARPA-H funds research and development conducted by small businesses with the expertise and vision to advance our mission through innovative approaches that revolutionize advances in science, technology, or systems.
Our Small Business Program uses innovative funding mechanisms, featuring a streamlined application and review process compared to traditional pathways. Funding is available through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Awards are generally issued in the form of contracts and exact award amounts vary and depend on meeting ambitious milestones, consistent with ARPA-H's approach.
Open opportunities for small business awards are announced throughout the year and remain available for a limited time. When open, potential applicants should review topics and eligibility criteria to determine whether their ideas reflect what ARPA-H is looking for in submissions.
Available Small Business Award Opportunities:
There are currently no open SBIR or STTR solicitations. To stay informed on future SBIR and STTR opportunities, subscribe to the ARPA-H Vitals Newsletter.
Prior Small Businesses Awardees
ARPA-H is proud to recognize our past Small Business Awardees.
Design Integration and Testing of a Low-Cost Disposable Remotely Controlled Microneedle Transdermal Drug Delivery Device
The project plans to develop Digital SatioRx, a very low cost remotely controllable disposable microneedle transdermal drug delivery device able to deliver any liquid FDA-approved transdermal drug. Digital SatioRx's telemedicine-enabled (EHR-integrated), remotely activated, disposable design and unique delivery system will minimize infection risk and ensure administration of a reproducible drug dose to any patient in seconds. It will allow providers to ensure compliance while reducing costs and inconvenience for patients. Design features from other Satio telemedicine devices and manually operated transdermal delivery devices will guide final design.
A Smart AI-based Digital Health Framework for Enhancing Pediatric Wellness
The primary purpose of the project is to build preliminary AI algorithms to detect Ear Nose Throat (ENT) and respiratory (asthma) issues in a pediatric rural population with the intention of facilitating telehealth diagnosis and treatment, and minimizing burdens related to accessing health care in rural areas.
Real-time Functional Fluorescence Nerve Imaging for Surgery
This project plans to synthesize and characterize novel nerve-specific fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) contrast agents to select a bright, water-soluble lead compound for clinical translation with optimal nerve visualization, functional assessment performance, and clinically relevant pharmacology and toxicology (pharm/tox) profiles for follow-on Investigational New Drug-enabling studies and first-in-human trials.
Translation of Novel Biliary Tract-specific Contrast Agent to Mediate Successful Image-guided Hepatobiliary Interventions
The project aims to advance the development of BL-760, a near-infrared contrast agent designed for clear intraoperative identification of bile ducts. This novel dye addresses the significant medical issue of bile duct injury during hepatobiliary surgeries (e.g., cholecystectomy, hepatectomy), impacting over 1 million patients annually. The project plans to produce BL-760 with high quality standards (GMP) and to conduct rigorous safety tests in a controlled lab environment (GLP), at the allow for Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies to test the dye in humans. The project outcome will improve patient outcomes and set a new standard of care in the field of hepatobiliary surgery.
Digital Assessment of Children’s Conditions Using Artificial Intelligence (“DACCS AI”)
This project explores applying artificial intelligence (AI), transfer learning, and assessment of mobile phone images of pediatric throat, otoscopy ear, and skin conditions to help enable remote pediatric care of colds, sore throats, ear infections and other diseases.
StrepApp: Deep Learning to Diagnose Streptococcal Pharyngitis
This Phase II project is for the advancement of diagnostic capabilities for detecting Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis (GAS). The goals under the contract include a comprehensive and diverse database, multiple trained and optimized deep learning models deployable on a mobile device, FDA clearance for the algorithms, and the validation of the app's performance through clinical research. These achievements will establish the foundation for a reliable, accurate, and user-friendly diagnostic tool that can effectively detect GAS pharyngitis in children.
Highly Miniaturized and Portable MALDI-2 Based Imaging Mass Spectrometry for Point-of-Care Clinical Diagnostics
This project plans to design, optimize, test, and deliver two fully functional miniature, portable MALDI-2 imaging mass spectrometer (IMS) prototype systems capable of high-resolution imaging mass spectrometry. The miniaturized IMS will support a disruptive technology as a portable point-of-care clinical diagnostic.
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