SPARK Accelerator Program 2026
A 6-month long, zero-cost needs-based advisory and mentorship program for startups developing pediatric health security solutions
Request for proposal
SPARK Accelerator Program 2026
Background
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) supports the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs)—technologies and products designed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to health security threats, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases. These countermeasures include vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health tools, and enabling technologies.
The SPARK Hub (Special Populations Acceleration Research and Knowledge) for Innovations in Pediatrics, a BARDA Accelerator Network hub for Special Populations, supports the development of innovations that address challenges related to the creation and availability of medical countermeasures for pediatric populations. Developing and ensuring access to medical countermeasures for children is a core component of BARDA’s mission and strategic plan to protect all members of our communities against an evolving threat landscape and to ensure that BARDA’s response meets the needs of every segment of the population.
About the Accelerator
Are you an academic innovator or company developing a groundbreaking technology that can enhance health security for pediatric populations? The SPARK Accelerator program supports academic innovators and companies developing innovative technologies for pediatric populations aligned with BARDA’s mission and strategic plan. Selected teams will be admitted to a free-of-cost, equity-free, six-month accelerator program offering comprehensive wraparound services focused on technical, clinical, regulatory, reimbursement, intellectual property, and commercialization support. Program highlights include but are not limited to:
- Tailored Onboarding: Begin the program with a self-assessment exercise to identify your team’s specific needs, ensuring targeted support throughout the duration of the accelerator.
- Expert Guidance: Work closely with pediatric health specialists and industry veterans who provide strategic insights to help advance your innovation.
- Specialized Curriculum: Participate in webinars and panel discussions shaped by cohort needs, with access to one-on-one office hours with featured speakers.
- Clinical Access: Tap into pediatric clinician networks for validation, feedback, and potential clinical collaboration opportunities.
- Executive Mentorship: Benefit from in-depth, needs-based advising from senior industry leaders through our partnership with BioHealth Innovation’s Entrepreneur-in Residence program.
- Strategic Connections: Connect with fellow innovators, healthcare leaders, investors, and strategic partners through curated events hosted by SPARK and BARDA.
Focus Areas
- Pediatric-specific micro physiological systems (e.g., organoids, tissue chips, organ-on-a-chip)
- Animal models for safety, efficacy, and dosing studies
- Pediatrics-focused digital twins
- Pediatric PK/PD drug models for determining the appropriate dose needed to achieve adult-equivalent PK/PD
- Simulation platforms to optimize clinical trial design and forecast pediatric responses
- Tools and platforms that integrate biological, computational, and real-world pediatric data (from clinical care, registries, and wearable devices) to accelerate MCM development, streamline regulatory pathways, and reduce the need for large-scale pediatric clinical trials.
- Medical countermeasure technologies, including medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutic platforms, digital health tools, and enabling technologies, that are FDA-approved or in active development for adult populations and can be repurposed for use in pediatric populations.
Application & Review Timeline
November 2025
Submission Deadline for applications is November 17, 2025.
An Information webinar will be held on October 29, 2025. Register for the webinar here.
Pitch calls are held with shortlisted applicants.
February 2026
Selectees are expected to be announced.
Accelerator programming begins.
We are using CoLab as our application portal. If you are new to CoLab and experience any issues creating an account, please reach out to us at [email protected].