Challenge statement: Seeking proof-of-concept studies that advance field detection of infection or injury, radiological injury assessment, clinical trial readiness and recruitment, and novel digital health solutions for health security preparedness and response within BARDA’s mission space.
Overview
We invite companies and academic innovators to apply for non-dilutive funding awards up to $200,000.
This funding supports proof-of-concept studies focused on the development, evaluation or validation of innovative digital health solutions aligned with the Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s (BARDA) mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.
The Paratus Digital Health Accelerator-BARDA Accelerator Network Hub for Digital Health provides funding and support services to help entrepreneurs with the development of the clinical, technical and business elements of their product and company. Uniquely, Paratus is able to connect innovators with study sites to support their solutions.
Technologies of interest
Field-deployable tools for detection of infection or injury due to radiological or nuclear incidents:
Early-stage devices, sensors or other diagnostic technologies for rapid detection of infection or injury, including internal hemorrhage and burn wounds, in field settings or austere environments.
Technologies should enable early identification of physiological or biochemical indicators to support earlier triage and intervention following radiological or nuclear incidents.
Advanced algorithms for radiological injury assessment and decision support:
High-fidelity algorithmic tools that integrate physiologic, clinical or sensor-derived data to improve assessment and management of radiological injury. Areas of interest include:
- Non-invasive blood pressure monitoring during permissive hypotension
- Precision monitoring of physiological reserve and resuscitation end points (e.g. levels of oxygen debt, state of oxidation-reduction or coagulation)
- Rapid assessment of presence or severity of radiation-induced injury
Data-driven tools for clinical trial readiness and recruitment:
Early-stage tools and approaches that leverage data analytics, real-world data, predictive modeling or other computational methods to accelerate clinical study start-up and improve trial efficiency across indications relevant to BARDA’s mission. Areas of interest include:
- Identification and prioritization of clinical sites based on patient population, infrastructure, performance history and operational readiness to conduct trials
- Rapid identification and enhanced screening of potentially eligible clinical trial participants.
Novel digital health solutions for health security preparedness and response:
Digital health tools that strengthen the nation's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies and health security threats.
This is an open topic intended to surface novel and promising solutions that fall outside the specific focus areas above but align with BARDA's mission to advance medical countermeasures and improve the continuum of clinical care.
Milestone-based funding: What Can Funds Support?
We are awarding funding up to $200,000 per project and up to six months in duration.
Funds can be used to:
- Advance technologies currently in development to the next milestone and value inflection points
- Engage a study site to complete validation work
- Increase access, reduce cost and more rapidly deploy medical countermeasures
- Advance platforms in development to improve clinical research and clinical care coordination
Benefits of participation
Startups and projects will receive-non dilutive funding to complete a time-bound development, evaluation or validation study around their concept. Additional benefits of participation include the following:
- Receive project management support and regular mentoring from subject matter experts and industry leaders over the award duration
- Gain exposure to the MATTER community
- Present to potential investors, partners and clients
Timeline
- November 9, 2026: Applications open
- December 1, 2026: Information session
- January 9, 2027: Information session #2
- January 15, 2027: Applications close
- March 2027: Invitation to deep dive interviews
- Spring 2027: Final negotiations
- Summer 2027: Awards, milestone-based funding and projects kickoff
This funding opportunity does not support gain of function research or research that involves the manipulation of pathogens resulting in potential gain of function. Proposals will be evaluated for the appropriate use of strain(s) in proposed studies.
Please visit the full program details at matter.health/paratus
Challenge statement:
How can we design a scalable solution that makes barriers to eye care transparent to healthcare stakeholders at the point of care, enabling actionable ways to address them to improve access and patient outcomes?
Who should apply?
We are seeking entrepreneurs and innovators based in the United States who are developing technology-driven solutions that address health inequities that can be adopted for use in ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas in the future. Solutions can range from early-stage concepts to products already in market. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and disciplines to apply.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: Applications open
November 22, 2026: Applications close
January 4, 2027 - January 15, 2027: Finalists notified
January 18, 2027 - February 26, 2027: Six-week incubator
March 2, 2027: Final showcase
Seeking: Innovative digital health solutions aligned with BARDA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and fortify health security.
This program is seeking to accelerate digital health tools that enhance preparedness and response to public health emergencies due to:
- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats
- Pandemic Influenza
- Emerging Infectious Diseases
Have a solution that doesn't quite fit?
If you are working on a solution for medical countermeasures, but don't see the right fit, we still value your solution and want to hear from you. Please fill out a preliminary application and we can assess your fit on an ad hoc basis.
Seeking: Innovative digital health solutions aligned with BARDA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and fortify health security.
This program is seeking to accelerate digital health tools that enhance preparedness and response to public health emergencies due to:
- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats
- Pandemic Influenza
- Emerging Infectious Diseases
Have a solution that doesn't quite fit?
If you are working on a solution for medical countermeasures, but don't see the right fit, we still value your solution and want to hear from you. Please fill out a preliminary application and we can assess your fit on an ad hoc basis.