BARDA DRIVe
Offers early health-security startup support through a fast track mechanism and innovation hubs for proof of concept.
DRIVe (Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures) is BARDA's early-stage health-security innovation arm. It targets transformative and unconventional approaches across health-security threats, with two main mechanisms: 1. **Easy Broad Agency Announcement (EZ-BAA)**, a streamlined two-track BAA. The Standard track funds awards up to $750,000 for short milestone-based projects; the Plus Phase track funds advanced development up to $20 million. 2. **BARDA Accelerator Network**, five hubs offering rolling Proof-of-Concept funding of $50,000-$200,000 for 4-week to 6-month milestone-based projects, plus cohort accelerator programming (mentorship, entrepreneurship education, technical and business support). The five hubs are VITAL (therapeutics/vaccines), BioTools Innovator VANGUARD (enabling technologies), Paratus (digital health), SPARK for Innovations in Pediatrics (special populations), and a diagnostics/medical-device hub. DRIVe also runs prize competitions (e.g. the SMART Antiviral Prize at $100M for broad-spectrum antivirals, in partnership with VITAL) and dedicated BAAs (e.g. ImmuneChip+ for advanced in-vitro tissue-and-immune-system platforms). DRIVe accepts for-profit companies, academic institutions, and non-profits; some opportunities require cost-share.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.
Supports United States health-security teams with early milestone-based funding for proof-of-concept countermeasure work.
Funds United States health-security projects transitioning into advanced development after initial defense innovation stages.
Supports United States health-security innovators during early development stages with streamlined pathway contracting.