ARPA-H initiative for early career researchers and community health centers

ARPA-H’s Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) Initiative aims to increase access to government research funding and address health care gaps in the U.S. for early career investigators and community innovators. The EHI Initiative began with a Network Survey (closed for submissions) to learn about their specific needs, challenges, and concerns. Survey responses will inform a forthcoming funding solicitation, anticipated to be available in late 2024.  

ARPA-H intends the solicitation to offer two funding tracks:  

• Technology-driven Innovation (track 1) supports early career investigators in developing innovative health technologies.  
  Eligible applicants: early career researchers, within 10 years of earning their final degree, in academic or research institutions including U.S.-based minority-serving institutions (MSIs).  
   
• Community-center Innovation (track 2) empowers community innovators to develop technology that addresses specific community needs.  
  Eligible applicants: community innovators, including but not limited to community health care workers, medical professionals, nurses, social workers at community health centers, non-profit organizations, and/or faith-based organizations. 

Future EHI awards would generally be in the form of cooperative agreements or other transaction agreements, not research grants. Exact award amounts depend on meeting aggressive milestones, typical of the ARPA-H model.