Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is a U.S. government agency established within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Its core mission is to accelerate the development of high-impact research and innovation to drive biomedical and health breakthroughs for all Americans. ARPA-H focuses on funding projects that are too risky or long-term for traditional private sector investment or conventional research grants, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical application.

ARPA-H operates through a unique funding model, primarily utilizing grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements rather than traditional venture capital equity investments. The agency emphasizes a milestone-based approach, where funding is disbursed incrementally upon the achievement of predefined technical goals. This allows for flexibility and adaptation as projects evolve, ensuring accountability and progress toward ambitious health outcomes. The agency actively seeks to address major health challenges, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and infectious diseases, by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and breakthrough technologies.

Financially, ARPA-H has received significant backing from the U.S. Congress, with an enacted budget of approximately $1.5 billion for Fiscal Year 2024. The agency's typical project awards, which represent its 'check sizes,' vary significantly based on the scope, complexity, and duration of the research. Individual awards can range from as little as $200,000 for initial, smaller-scale projects or early phases, up to $20,000,000 or more for large, multi-year, transformative initiatives. These awards are designed to support high-risk, high-reward endeavors that have the potential to deliver transformative health solutions, often catalyzing further private investment once proof-of-concept is established.