SPARK Hub Prize Challenge
The SPARK Hub challenge offers a total of $50,000 in funding, with up to three winners selected.
Request for proposal
SPARK Hub Prize Challenge
Background
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) drives the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) — technologies and products designed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to health security threats. These threats include chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases. BARDA’s efforts encompass a wide range of innovations, including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, devices, digital health tools, and enabling technologies. Developing and ensuring access to medical countermeasures for pediatric populations is a part 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 accounts for all needs of all segments of the population.
About the Challenge
Are you an academic innovator or company developing a groundbreaking technology that can enhance health security for pediatric populations? The SPARK Hub Prize Challenge supports the development of innovative technologies for pediatric populations aligned with BARDA’s mission and strategic plan.
Specific technology/product development areas include, but are not limited to:
Diagnostics
- Kid-friendly sample collection approaches
- At-home diagnostic technologies focused on pediatric populations
- Technologies to distinguish viral vs. bacterial infections in children
Therapeutics and Vaccines
- Therapeutics and vaccines for health security threats for which approved products do not exist for pediatric populations
- Kid-friendly vaccine and drug delivery approaches
Medical Devices
- New devices or modifications to approved adult devices for pediatric use
Digital Health Tools
- Models to predict recommended drug dosages or outcomes for pediatric populations during a public health emergency
Enabling Technologies
- In support of the development of pediatric products in any of the above technology areas
Key Dates
Release Date – Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Funding opportunity webinar – 11:00am EST on December 10, 2024 Register here
Submission deadline – 11:59pm EST on December 16, 2024
Finalists announced – January 6, 2025
Live competition – January 2025
Funding opportunity webinar – 11:00am EST on December 10, 2024 Register here
Submission deadline – 11:59pm EST on December 16, 2024
Finalists announced – January 6, 2025
Live competition – January 2025
Available Funding
$50,000 in total funding is available for this challenge. Up to 3 winners will be selected for funding.
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].