Published
Right now, across this country, millions of patients are waiting for treatments that, scientifically speaking, should already exist. ARPA-H was created to close that gap, and the proposals we fund have to be built for the urgency this problem demands. That means the bar looks different from a traditional grant application for other federal research funding agencies. Here’s what to expect.
How you are evaluated
ARPA-H programs are designed by Program Managers to tackle a specific healthcare problem that cannot readily be solved through traditional means – these are problems that are deemed too big, too complex, and too high-risk for other government agencies or industry. Most of our solicitations first require an abstract called a solution summary. If your summary is reviewed favorably, you’ll then be encouraged to submit your full proposal. This preliminary submission is the best way to receive feedback from the agency on your research idea.
Proposals that do not meet the requirements of the solicitation may not be evaluated. While each program has its own specific technical areas and scientific requirements, the broader criteria you are evaluated against are broadly the same:
1) scientific and technical merit,
2) relevance to ARPA-H's mission,
3) team capabilities and experience, and
4) cost alignment with the proposed solution
Scientific and technical merit measures how your proposal meets the technical metrics outlined in the solicitation, or Innovative Solution Opening (ISO). Evaluators consider both the feasibility of your proposed work and your ability to mitigate any risks. ARPA-H efforts are intentionally designed to be both challenging and impactful. Failure is a real possibility, and we're looking for proposals that face that honestly and chart a creative path forward.
Mission alignment runs through the entire technical evaluation. ARPA-H exists to deliver health breakthroughs in years, not decades. We exclusively fund work that is breakthrough-enabling, has broad impact, and is highly complex. Awarded work should demonstrate American health innovation leadership and ladder toward winning the biotech race, defeating chronic diseases, and reversing aging. Accelerating AI for healthcare and platform capabilities are common throughlines. Your proposal should be similarly ambitious and clearly demonstrate how the proposed solution aligns with the ISO criteria.
Team composition is key. Typically, one single organization won’t be able to complete the work outlined in an ARPA-H ISO. Teaming, or collaboration with multidisciplinary partners, is the norm. A strong team has capabilities that span both scientific and business expertise. For a funded effort to be successful, it must not only demonstrate technical proof of concept but define a path forward through regulatory and reimbursement pathways. While the agency has mechanisms to support performers navigating market-readiness, the strongest proposals have these considerations built in.
Cost should reflect the work. We're not looking for the lowest bid, we're looking to invest where the science is strongest to make an impact for the American public. ARPA-H usually awards Other Transaction (OT) Agreements with milestone-based payments. Therefore, proposals should endeavor to accurately estimate the cost of the planned work. A cost proposal template will be provided for the proposing team to complete at the time of submission. Cost may be adjusted during negotiation if your proposal is selected for award.
Making the cut
All proposals are reviewed by federal staff. ARPA-H Program Managers, as well as peers from other agencies, are asked to provide their expert review. Typically, up to two federal staff evaluate proposals and provide feedback before selection decisions. ARPA-H contracting and technical office staff review for compliance and help inform the Program Manager’s decision. Read each ISO carefully as conforming proposals should adhere with ARPA-H eligibility, submission, content, and formatting requirements.
ARPA-H may also use artificial intelligence (AI) to help organize, summarize, and surface key information from proposals. The use of AI will be disclosed in the ISO. Human experts remain responsible for all technical evaluations and final decisions. The Program Manager weighs the feedback from reviewers and their own evaluation to recommend proposals for award.
Your proposal was selected! What’s next?
Selected proposals enter a research security review process. Key personnel on the proposal must report degrees, professional appointments, and existing sources of funding. This process is started with your proposal submission, then completed in parallel with award negotiations if selected for funding.
OTs can be negotiated much like commercial contracts, giving both the government and the selected performer flexibility to align on milestones, intellectual property, payments, and other considerations. Once the contract is executed, work can begin.
ARPA-H-funded efforts have aggressive timelines. Performers can expect regular reporting and meetings with the Program Manager. The contract will outline specific milestones that must be met to qualify for payments. Additional considerations, like your own institutional approvals for animal or human research, may also need to be completed to allow contracted work to proceed. Depending on research progress, additional contract options may also be exercised.
Work with us
We set high expectations for performers because we see a brighter future for healthcare. With the right dedication and ambition, a new health breakthrough will be ready by the time performance ends.
If you are ready to apply, look for frequently launching Open Funding Opportunities and subscribe to the ARPA-H Vitals newsletter for the latest agency updates.
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