Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

Based on a set of questions developed by former DARPA Director, George H. Heilmeier (1975-1977), known as the “Heilmeier Catechism,” the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions provide potential ARPA-H PMs and proposers high-level guidance for what information should be included in their proposals. Answers to the ARPA-(H)eilmeier Questions are required in program concept submissions. 

ARPA-H makes pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies and broadly applicable platforms, capabilities, resources, and solutions with the potential to rapidly advance areas of medicine and health that cannot readily be accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity. ARPA-H does not fund incremental, hypothesis-driven research. To learn about funded project visit ARPA-H website, check announcements, and follow ARPA-H on social media accounts (X, LinkedIn, Instagram)  for announcements about recent awards. 

ARPA-H draws on and contributes to NIH’s vast knowledge, expertise and infrastructure, but remains a distinct and independent funding agency under HHS. The director of ARPA-H reports to the HHS Secretary.

A Program Manager (PM) launches programs to improve health and awards projects to new multidisciplinary teams, with measurement and evaluation conducted throughout the process to ensure that the best solutions advance. Program Managers serve an initial three-year term, renewable up to six years maximum, to design, launch and run all aspects of their programs.

PMs serve a term-limited appointment to ensure a constant rotation of new ideas and diverse perspectives. Learn more. 

ARPA-H limits the engagement with Program Managers (PM). PM emails are not publicly available and all questions can be sent to a program-specific ARPA-H email provided in the solicitation or submitted via online form.

Researchers interested in ARPA-H are encouraged to attend Proposer’s Day in person for an opportunity to present ideas to the PM.

Researchers with an idea and practiced elevator pitch or specific questions are encouraged to introduce themselves and their ideas if attending a conference where an ARPA-H PM is present or via professional connections.

Typically programs do not have a capped budget. Proposers should request a budget that is representative of the proposed project. Awarded projects have a wide range of budgets depending on the scope of the project.

No. ARPA-H awards contracts either via Cooperative Agreements or Other Transactions. If selected for an award, the contract negotiation process is about six months. ARPA-H awards are released in stages and only if the proposer is meeting the set milestones. If milestones are not met, ARPA-H will terminate the award based on the contract terms. Awardees work closely with a PM to provide progress updates and discuss any obstacles to milestones on a biweekly to monthly basis throughout the award period. 

Solution summaries are short preproposal documents summarizing the proposed project in response to ARPA-H Innovative Solutions Openings (ISOs). Solution summaries are HIGHLY recommended and usually required as they are intended to save time and money for the proposers by giving an indication of the relevance and acceptability of the proposed work. After submitting a solution summary, researchers will be either encouraged or discouraged from submitting a full proposal. A full proposal is a full application for a new or innovative solution/idea. Refer to the information in the specific Program-Specific ISO, Mission Office ISO, or other ARPA-H solicitation to identify the requirements for solution summaries and full proposals.

OVPR is tracking ARPA-H budget priorities and who is hired as a PM to deduct what potential program might be launched in the future. We share those insights during the workshops. ARPA-H also launches surveys and Requests for Information (RFIs) that have then informed funding programs. Researchers are encouraged to respond to surveys and RFIs if they are applicable to their work.

Email [email protected] to schedule a 1:1 consultation to ask questions and discuss project ideas and how to frame them for ARPA-H.

The Office of Research Development has supported multiple ARPA-H proposals and can provide a range of services from proposal management, to connecting to the right campus partners and through proofreading and copy-editing. 

Email [email protected] or fill out this form to request support.

• Resources (only U-M accessible)
  • Solution summary examples
  • Templates, boilerplate language for National Security Form questions, and additional proposal development resources
  • Presentations
  • Budget resources
  • ARPA-H FAQ and proposal resources (public website)

Next Workshop: February 26, 4 pm –  Register

Previous workshop recording: December 4, 2024

ARPA-H overview workshops are offered quarterly