Applications open on June 23, 2025
Are you working on groundbreaking therapeutics solutions? The VITAL Hub seeks proposals for the development of innovative therapeutics solutions in alignment with BARDA’s mission to promote health security. Multi-use/platform technologies are preferred for this solicitation. VITAL invites startups and university-backed projects to apply for non-dilutive funding from $50K to $200K.
The review period for full applications for DEV Funding is currently paused. VITAL expects to resume actively reviewing full applications in March 2025.
Preliminary Applications may be submitted anytime and are assessed on an ongoing basis. If funding becomes available, organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal outside of the standard funding cycle. Otherwise, VITAL will invite select organizations to submit full applications during the next cycle of review (expected January – March 2025). Click HERE to submit a Preliminary Application.
If your organization does not wish to submit a Preliminary Application at this time but would like to be notified by email when VITAL resumes actively reviewing full applications, please click HERE and fill out this form.
Startups and projects will receive project management support and regular mentoring from subject matter experts over the award duration (6 months).
Proof-of-concept for a BARDA-relevant use case for an existing platform technology
Proof-of-concept for high-risk breakthrough technologies
Advancement of technologies currently in development to the next value inflection points
Applications for DEV funding open on June 23, 2025!
Applications open on June 23. Review the VITAL FAQs to help you prepare your application before the September 26 deadline.
Fall 2025 – We will notify you by email if you have been selected to submit a full application for this cycle (by invitation only).
Winter 2025/2026 – Awardees will be selected and notified in early 2026.
Preliminary Applications may be submitted anytime and are assessed on an ongoing basis. If funding becomes available, organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal outside of the standard funding cycle. Otherwise, VITAL will invite select organizations to submit full applications during the next cycle of review (expected January – March 2025). Click HERE to submit a Preliminary Application.
If your organization does not wish to submit a Preliminary Application at this time but would like to be notified by email when VITAL resumes actively reviewing full applications, please click HERE and fill out this form.
Watch our info session to gain insights into the VITAL Biotech Accelerator Program and Funding opportunities.
If you or your organization would like to explore collaborations with other potential applicants, please visit our DEV Teaming Page.
For more information on BARDA areas of interest, visit https://drive.hhs.gov/partner.html.
BARDA also recently released TPPs relevant to some of its areas of interest: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/tpp.
We are accepting applications from early-stage biotech companies as well as academic and other innovators globally.
We are accepting applications from early-stage biotech companies as well as academic and other innovators globally. Companies and individuals are welcome to apply for both the Accelerator Program and non-dilutive funding from VITAL. Applications will be reviewed independently. Solicitations for both the Accelerator Program and non-dilutive funding opportunities will be open on an annual basis.
No. SAM.gov registration is not required.
Applications will be evaluated with a particular focus on 1) the ability of the proposed application of the technology to support BARDA’s mission, 2) the uniqueness of the innovation and its ability to address unmet needs, and 3) the capacity for the proposed use of funds to advance the technology to the next value inflection point.
It is anticipated that project milestones will be completed in 6 months from the start of the project, and that the funding will be spent during this time period. Project management and mentor support will be provided during this 6-month period. VITAL and BARDA also understand that unforeseen and unpredicted events happen during development, evaluation and validation activities.
There will be reporting requirements on a quarterly basis, based on milestones achievement, and a final report.
Allow expenses for the non-dilutive funds from VITAL include: direct costs for development, evaluation, or validation activities, and labor for personnel or CROs “doing the work”. Indirect costs are permitted but count toward the total cost limit, which is capped at $200K.
Companies and individuals that receive funding from VITAL will have access to BARDA subject matter experts and other related BARDA resources. Access to these BARDA resources will be managed and coordinated by the VITAL Lead Mentor.
VITAL is one of 5 BARDA Accelerator Network hubs. The other 4 are I-CREATE (diagnostics and medical devices), PARATUS (digital health), BioTools Innovator VANGUARD (enabling technologies), and SPARK (innovations in pediatrics). Innovators developing models for vaccines/therapeutics discovery may want to look into opportunities with the PARATUS and VANGUARD hubs in addition to VITAL, depending on the underlying technology. If your technology could significantly and specifically improve sampling, delivery, efficacy, durability, etc., of vaccines/therapeutics for pediatric populations, you may want to look into opportunities with the SPARK hub in additional to VITAL.
VITAL will not fund technologies specific to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under this solicitation, including diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. If you are developing AMR innovations, please visit the CARB-X program website to view current funding priorities: https://carb-x.org/apply/funding-themes/
BARDA DRIVe: https://drive.hhs.gov/partner.html
BARDA BAA funding: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/barda-baa/
BARDA’s main page: www.medicalcountermeasures.gov
