ARPA-H | IGoR - Intelligent Generator of Research
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
ARPA-H is seeking multidisciplinary teams to build an AI-enabled interoperable research ecosystem through the Intelligent Generator of Research (IGoR) program. The goal is to dramatically accelerate biomedical research and therapeutic development by creating mechanistic disease models, AI-driven experiment orchestration, standardized protocols, and a distributed network of validated laboratories. ARPA-H states the system is intended to enable researchers to create validated knowledge “at least 10x more rapidly than conventional approaches.”
This is a 5-year, 3-phase program under the ARPA-H Proactive Health Office. ARPA-H anticipates awarding approximately three Other Transaction (OT) agreements to teams capable of addressing all four technical components of the program.
Solution Summaries are due by 06/25/2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Full Proposals are due by 08/06/2026, 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern Time. Companies interested in applying should begin organizing teaming structures and registrations immediately, particularly because SAM.gov registration can take 7–10 business days.
How much funding would I receive?
The solicitation does not specify total funding amounts or individual award sizes.
ARPA-H states it anticipates making:
“Multiple Other Transaction (OTs) Agreements”
Approximately three awards to multidisciplinary teams
The solicitation does not specify:
Ceiling amounts
Floor amounts
Cost share requirements
Phase-specific funding allocations
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is intended to support development of the IGoR ecosystem, including:
Mechanistic disease models encoding causal biological relationships across scales
An AI orchestration layer that identifies knowledge gaps and designs experiments
A layered protocol architecture enabling reproducible experimentation
A distributed marketplace of validated laboratories returning standardized data
ARPA-H expects performers to address all four technical components as part of an integrated system.
The solicitation states the objective is to:
Eliminate longstanding inefficiencies in research
Accelerate development of therapies for complex diseases
Enable validated knowledge generation at least 10x faster than conventional approaches
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Potential additional benefits include:
Participation in a high-visibility ARPA-H initiative
Access to collaboration and networking opportunities through the Proposers’ Day
Ability to form multidisciplinary teams and partnerships
Flexibility associated with Other Transaction (OT) agreements compared to traditional federal contracts
ARPA-H also states that:
Resource sharing is encouraged
A recording of the Proposers’ Day will be posted publicly
The solicitation does not specify additional commercialization support, follow-on funding pathways, or transition assistance.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Key dates:
Proposers’ Day: T.B.D.
Solution Summaries due: 06/25/2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Full Proposals due: 08/06/2026, 12:00 PM (Noon) Eastern Time
Submission process:
Submit a Solution Summary
Receive feedback from ARPA-H indicating whether proposal submission is encouraged or discouraged
Submit a full proposal
ARPA-H notes that proposers may still submit full proposals even if discouraged after the Solution Summary review.
The solicitation does not specify:
Award announcement dates
Negotiation timelines
Expected project start dates
Timing of funding disbursement
Where does this funding come from?
This funding comes from:
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
Proactive Health Office
Program:
Intelligent Generator of Research (IGoR)
Solicitation Number:
ARPA-H-SOL-26-155
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants may include:
Universities
Non-profit organizations
Small businesses
Other commercial entities
ARPA-H states that all sources capable of satisfying the government’s needs may respond unless otherwise restricted.
Restrictions include:
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) generally may not participate as prime or sub-performers unless ARPA-H determines unique capabilities are necessary
Government entities and government employees are generally prohibited
Current ARPA-H support service providers are ineligible
Certain foreign entities and individuals are prohibited under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and related national security restrictions
Applicants must:
Be registered in SAM.gov
Have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
Maintain active SAM.gov registration through award
ARPA-H states new SAM.gov registrations take an average of 7–10 business days.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
ARPA-H states it anticipates selecting approximately three multidisciplinary teams capable of addressing all four components of the IGoR ecosystem.
Competitive proposals will likely demonstrate:
Integrated multidisciplinary capabilities
AI and machine learning expertise
Mechanistic disease modeling capabilities
Experimental protocol standardization
Large-scale laboratory coordination capabilities
Reproducible data generation approaches
Ability to execute across all technical areas described in Appendix A
The solicitation emphasizes:
Bold and unconventional research directions
Accelerated knowledge generation
Interoperable research infrastructure
Reproducibility and standardization
ARPA-H also encourages resource sharing and teaming.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Key restrictions include:
FFRDCs and government entities generally cannot serve as prime or sub-performers
Current ARPA-H support contractors are ineligible
Certain foreign entities and individuals are prohibited
Submissions containing proprietary information must be clearly marked
All Solution Summaries must:
Be in English
Use sans serif fonts no smaller than 11-point
Be limited to five pages (excluding cover pages and references)
ARPA-H also notes:
It will not reimburse proposal preparation costs
Late submissions caused by delayed registration may not be considered
Large language models (LLMs) may be used during review under controlled security conditions
The solicitation does not specify:
Mandatory cost share
Manufacturing requirements
Export control classifications
Intellectual property terms beyond standard OT agreement references
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
This opportunity will likely require substantial preparation effort because:
ARPA-H expects multidisciplinary teams
Applicants must address all four major technical components
Teaming and integration strategies will likely be critical
OT-based proposals are often highly technical and milestone-driven
Preparation activities may include:
Forming consortium relationships
Finalizing technical architecture
Building execution and management plans
Completing SAM.gov registration
Preparing a Solution Summary followed by a full proposal
The solicitation does not specify expected proposal preparation timelines.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can help your team:
Assess fit with the IGoR program objectives
Build a competitive teaming strategy
Translate technical concepts into ARPA-H-ready proposal language
Develop Solution Summaries and full proposals
Structure OT-compliant submissions
Build milestone-driven technical plans
Coordinate multidisciplinary proposal development
Prepare management, commercialization, and execution materials
