Is this actionable now?

rolling. Program, initiative and SBIR opportunities use fixed windows, while four Mission Office Innovative Solution Openings accept solution summaries on a rolling basis. The live page must be checked because topic notices change throughout the year.

Broad (companies, universities, nonprofits). For the SBIR/STTR track: US for-profit small business ( 50% US-owned; STTR requires a US research-institution partner. US-based work.

What burden and restrictions apply?

ARPA-H uses active program-manager oversight, aggressive measurable milestones, outcome-based payments and flexible contracts or other transactions; nonperforming approaches can be stopped or redirected. Funds are restricted to the approved work plan, budget, eligible cost categories and award period; unrelated, unsupported, double-funded and noncompliant expenditure is excluded.

ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health)

Award size is solicitation- and negotiation-specific; the umbrella page does not publish a comparable per-project minimum or maximum. · Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) — HHS · rolling applications

ARPA-H funds high-risk, high-reward breakthroughs to solve hard health problems, on a DARPA-style model. Beyond programs and open BAA, it runs Mission Office 'Innovative Solution Openings' (ISOs, rolling) and a dedicated SBIR/STTR track with large ceilings for small businesses. Current lifecycle: rolling. Real economics: Award size is solicitation- and negotiation-specific; the umbrella page does not publish a comparable per-project minimum or maximum..

Tier 1 · ranked #5arpa-hhealthbiotechhigh-risk

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) — HHS
Amount	Award size is solicitation- and negotiation-specific; the umbrella page does not publish a comparable per-project minimum or maximum.
Deadline	Rolling — apply anytime
Decision time	Most routes start with a required solution summary. Favorable summaries lead to a full proposal and may include a technical oral presentation or pitch, cost proposal, negotiation and award.
Eligibility	Broad (companies, universities, nonprofits). For the SBIR/STTR track: US for-profit small business (<500 employees), >50% US-owned; STTR requires a US research-institution partner. US-based work.
Restrictions	ARPA-H uses active program-manager oversight, aggressive measurable milestones, outcome-based payments and flexible contracts or other transactions; nonperforming approaches can be stopped or redirected. Funds are restricted to the approved work plan, budget, eligible cost categories and award period; unrelated, unsupported, double-funded and noncompliant expenditure is excluded.
Status	rolling

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration (for SBIR/STTR), and eBRAP / Grants.gov as directed
Sign up for ARPA-H Vitals to catch new Program BAAs, ISOs, and small-business calls
Submit a Solution Summary / abstract for the target opportunity
If encouraged, submit the full proposal
ARPA-H technical review and negotiation → award

Background

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) — HHS operates ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The live funding page lists four rolling Mission Office ISOs plus program, initiative and small-business opportunities. ARPA-H's FY2026 enacted budget is USD 1.5 billion. ARPA-H publishes program portfolios and performer teams for funded health moonshots.

How the application really works

Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration (for SBIR/STTR), and eBRAP / Grants.gov as directed → Sign up for ARPA-H Vitals to catch new Program BAAs, ISOs, and small-business calls → Submit a Solution Summary / abstract for the target opportunity → If encouraged, submit the full proposal → ARPA-H technical review and negotiation → award

Tips

Show direct fit with health science futures.
Show direct fit with proactive health.
Show direct fit with resilient systems.
Show direct fit with scalable solutions.
Show direct fit with program-specific health challenges.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is rolling.
ARPA-H uses active program-manager oversight, aggressive measurable milestones, outcome-based payments and flexible contracts or other transactions; nonperforming approaches can be stopped or redirected.
Funds are restricted to the approved work plan, budget, eligible cost categories and award period; unrelated, unsupported, double-funded and noncompliant expenditure is excluded.

Track record

The live funding page lists four rolling Mission Office ISOs plus program, initiative and small-business opportunities.
ARPA-H's FY2026 enacted budget is USD 1.5 billion.
ARPA-H publishes program portfolios and performer teams for funded health moonshots.

The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and selection rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: rolling. Program, initiative and SBIR opportunities use fixed windows, while four Mission Office Innovative Solution Openings accept solution summaries on a rolling basis. The live page must be checked because topic notices change throughout the year.
What is the real economic value?: Award size is solicitation- and negotiation-specific; the umbrella page does not publish a comparable per-project minimum or maximum.
Who is eligible?: Broad (companies, universities, nonprofits). For the SBIR/STTR track: US for-profit small business (<500 employees), >50% US-owned; STTR requires a US research-institution partner. US-based work.
How does selection work?: Register SAM.gov (UEI), SBIR.gov company registration (for SBIR/STTR), and eBRAP / Grants.gov as directed; Sign up for ARPA-H Vitals to catch new Program BAAs, ISOs, and small-business calls; Submit a Solution Summary / abstract for the target opportunity; If encouraged, submit the full proposal; ARPA-H technical review and negotiation → award. Most routes start with a required solution summary. Favorable summaries lead to a full proposal and may include a technical oral presentation or pitch, cost proposal, negotiation and award.
What burden and restrictions apply?: ARPA-H uses active program-manager oversight, aggressive measurable milestones, outcome-based payments and flexible contracts or other transactions; nonperforming approaches can be stopped or redirected. Funds are restricted to the approved work plan, budget, eligible cost categories and award period; unrelated, unsupported, double-funded and noncompliant expenditure is excluded.
What evidence exists?: The live funding page lists four rolling Mission Office ISOs plus program, initiative and small-business opportunities. ARPA-H's FY2026 enacted budget is USD 1.5 billion. ARPA-H publishes program portfolios and performer teams for funded health moonshots. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and selection rate.

Sources

arpa-h.gov/explore-funding/open-funding-opportunities — Official current fixed and rolling opportunities and required solution summaries (checked 2026-08-10)
arpa-h.gov/explore-funding/submission-resources-and-FAQs/navigating-application-process — Official solicitation, submission and evaluation workflow (checked 2026-08-10)
arpa-h.gov/news-and-events/arpa-h-101-understanding-proposal-evaluation-criteria — Official 2026 evaluation, milestone and contracting model (checked 2026-08-10)