Application Process Resources

Common Terms and Definitions 
A list of the most common terms and acronyms associated with ARPA-H's funding and award process.

Navigating the Application Process 
A step-by-step guide to help proposers prepare for and navigate the application process.

Mission Office ISOs: Know Before Applying 
A guide to learn more about these unique funding mechanisms and their application requirements.

Understanding the Research Security Review Process 
A guide to understanding the security review process and what to expect if your proposal requires security review.

Templates

Reminder, all required documents and templates needed to submit a Solution Summary or full proposal will be provided in the solicitation. The templates posted here are for additional reference and convenience.

• Administration and National Policy Requirements Template (dotx): This template requests information, including intellectual property assertions, identification of senior or key personnel for research security reviews, and organizational conflicts of interest disclosures. Proposers are required to complete this document as part of proposal submissions.
• Mission Office ISO - Solution Summary Template (dotx): This template assists proposers in completing solution summaries for ARPA-H Mission Office Innovative Solution Opening (ISO). Mission Office ISOs require a Solution Summary in advance of a full proposal submission.

Note about Program ISOs: The documents needed to submit a program-specific Solution Summary are tailored to each opportunity. Templates are provided per program within the solicitation posted on SAM.gov.

About Doing Business with ARPA-H

ARPA-H held its first “Doing Business With ARPA-H” Industry Day event on November 13, 2024. The event highlighted ARPA-H’s mission, primary focus areas, unique R&D authorities, and means for interested entities to identify and complete submissions in response to funding opportunities. Key presentations are provided here for reference.

• Main Overview of ARPA-H (pdf)
• Accelerating Program Transition (pdf)
• Affordability and Accessibility (pdf)
• Engaging with FFRDCs and Government Entities (pdf)
• Intellectual Property Approach (pdf)
• International Cooperation (pdf)
• Other Transaction Benefits (pdf)
• Payable Milestones (pdf)
• Teaming (pdf)
• You Received an Award - what's next (pdf)
• All DBWA Sessions (pdf) and questions from the event

External Websites

A list of websites that potential performers and proposers will interact with during the application process.

• The ARPA-H Solutions Portal (external link): The Solutions Portal is ARPA-H's proposal submission and registration platform. This is where proposers will ask questions about the funding opportunity, register for events, create a teaming profile, and submit Solution Summaries and full proposals.
• SAM.gov (external link): The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is an official website of the U.S. Government. ARPA-H posts and maintains solicitations for proposals on SAM.gov. Direct links to solicitation postings will be provided on the associated opportunity’s informational page. SAM.gov is also where potential performers can register or renew a unique entity identifier (UEI).

Contracting Authority

Unlike some funding agencies, ARPA-H does not provide grants to support research. Instead, we employ a range of alternative contract mechanisms, which allow us to address the critical health challenges that traditional research and private industry cannot. 

Per 42 U.S.C. 290c (external link), ARPA-H has the authority to award Other Transactions (OTs), Cooperative Agreements, grants, contracts, and cash prizes; ARPA-H primarily leverages OTs and cooperative agreements for R&D efforts.

OTs are a unique type of contracting instrument that provides government entities the ability to enter flexible business arrangements with potential performers, adopt and incorporate business practices like those within commercial industry, and expand industrial bases. OTs often result in flexible, streamlined, and cost-effective project design and execution when compared to other contracting instruments.

Agreement Samples:

• Other Transaction Agreement Sample (doc): This sample allows potential performers to view an OT agreement with articles and language that may be used by ARPA-H. NOTE: Included articles and language may vary depending on the program/project/effort and negotiations with performers.
• Consolidated Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions Sample (doc): This sample shares terms and conditions (T&Cs) that may be included in a cooperative agreement awarded by ARPA-H. Note: Final T&Cs may vary depending on the program/project/effort, and any draft cooperative agreement should be carefully reviewed by potential performers prior to signature. 

For more information about OTs, visit the ARPA-H Other Transaction Community.