ARPA-H - TIGAR Exploratory Topic | ARPA-H-SOL-26-144

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

ARPA-H is seeking high-risk, high-impact biopreservation technologies through the Technology InteGrator and AcceleratoR (TIGAR) Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO). This opportunity is focused on enabling temperature-flexible storage of regenerative tissues, organs, organoids, engineered tissues, and other complex biologics. ARPA-H is specifically looking for approaches that can stabilize larger and more complex biological systems without introducing high cost or operational complexity.

This is an early-stage R&D opportunity designed for ambitious technical teams pursuing novel approaches involving areas such as new materials, AI/ML, high-throughput screening, biological interventions, devices, analytical technologies, processing methods, and packaging systems.

There are two intake cycles. The first Solution Video deadline is June 8th, 2026, 5:00 PM ET and the first Full Proposal deadline is August 5th, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. The second Solution Video deadline is December 8th, 2026, 5:00 PM ET and the second Full Proposal deadline is February 5th, 2027, 5:00 PM ET. The ISO closes on February 5th, 2027, 11:59 PM ET. Companies interested in this opportunity should begin preparing immediately due to the required two-step submission process and detailed technical proposal requirements.

How much funding would I receive?

ARPA-H states that the total funding requested “must not exceed $2 million USD over the 18-month period of performance.” Awards are anticipated to be made as “Multiple Other Transaction (OTs) Agreements.”

Areas of Interest

Funding is intended to support development of enabling technologies for biopreservation and temperature-flexible storage of complex biologics and regenerative tissues.

Proposed solutions may include combinations of:

• New materials

• Artificial intelligence/machine learning

• High-throughput screening methods

• Biological interventions

• Devices

• Processing methods

• Analytical technologies

• Packaging approaches

Projects must demonstrate progress toward functional preservation of:

• Entire biological structures such as organoids, organs, or organ sub-units; or

• One (1) cubic centimeter volumes of tissue

Projects must target storage durations of “≥30 days” at practical temperatures achievable with conventional equipment, including:

• -80˚C

• -20˚C

• 4˚C

• 20˚C-25˚C room temperature (RT)

ARPA-H states that innovations focused only at the cellular level “without a strategy for deployment in thick tissues will not be considered.” Preferred demonstration systems include:

• Organoids

• Donated tissues

• Whole organs

• Organ sub-structures

• Vascularized allografts

• Engineered tissues

The proposed effort must be structured as an 18-month program with:

• Two 9-month phases

• A down-select decision at the end of Phase 1

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential additional benefits include:

• Direct engagement with ARPA-H program staff

• Opportunity to advance foundational proofs-of-concept aligned with future ARPA-H research priorities

• Ability to position technologies for future commercial, clinical, and biomedical applications

• Potential future commercialization advantages for successful technologies

ARPA-H also states that “resource sharing is encouraged,” including:

• Shared-use infrastructure

• Data or IP access arrangements

• Performer contributions

• ROI or value-sharing mechanisms

The solicitation additionally notes that open-source software approaches and interoperability standards are preferred.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Key dates are:

• Posting Date: April 22nd, 2026

• Webinar: May 20th, 2026

• Webinar Registration deadline: May 18th, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

Intake Group 1:

• Solution Video due date: June 8th, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

• Full Proposal due date: August 5th, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Intake Group 2:

• Solution Video due date: December 8th, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

• Full Proposal due date: February 5th, 2027, 5:00 PM ET

ISO closing date:

• February 5th, 2027, 11:59 PM ET

The submission process includes:

1. Submission of a required Solution Video package

2. Submission of a Full Proposal

ARPA-H states it will “generally respond within 30 business days of receipt” for both Solution Video reviews and Full Proposal evaluations.

Where does this funding come from?

This funding comes from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), specifically through the Scalable Solutions Office.

The funding opportunity is titled:
“Technology InteGrator and AcceleratoR (TIGAR)”

The solicitation number is:
“ARPA-H-SOL-26-144”

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible proposers 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 suspended or debarred.

However, the solicitation specifically excludes:

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) as primes or sub-performers, unless ARPA-H determines unique capabilities are necessary

• Government entities and government employees

• Individuals or entities currently providing professional support services to ARPA-H

• Entities suspended or debarred from doing business with the government

• Certain foreign entities and individuals restricted under the CHIPS and Science Act and other federal statutes

Foreign entities may participate if they comply with applicable regulations, export controls, and security requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be registered in SAM.gov

• Have a valid UEI

• Maintain active registration throughout the award period

What companies and projects are likely to win?

ARPA-H states proposals will be evaluated primarily on:

1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit

2. Proposer Capabilities and Experience

3. Contribution to the ARPA-H Mission and User Experience

4. Cost/Price Reasonableness

Competitive projects will likely include:

• Highly innovative and technically sound approaches

• Clear, testable experimental designs

• Logical technical milestones

• Strong risk mitigation plans

• Experienced interdisciplinary teams

• Clear commercialization or clinical relevance

• Practical solutions that improve storage and distribution of biologics

• Approaches that reduce dependence on tightly controlled temperature environments

• Technologies capable of preserving large or complex biological systems

ARPA-H also states strong proposals should:

• Consider end-user adoption and clinical workflow

• Address affordability and accessibility

• Align with interoperability and open standards

• Include commercially friendly open-source software approaches where applicable

The solicitation notes that ARPA-H prefers “novel solutions” and discourages low-risk proposals designed primarily to minimize budget.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. Key restrictions and requirements include:

• Total requested funding cannot exceed $2 million USD

• Cellular-only preservation approaches without thick tissue deployment strategies are out of scope

• All submissions must be in English

• Non-conforming submissions may be rejected without review

• Submission is only allowed through the ARPA-H Solution Submission Portal

• Registration delays will not excuse late submissions

Additional restrictions include:

• Compliance with research security disclosure requirements

• Restrictions related to foreign entities and malign foreign talent recruitment programs

• Compliance with intellectual property and software interoperability standards

• Potential requirements for open-source alignment

• Human subjects and animal research compliance requirements where applicable

• Restrictions on dangerous gain-of-function research

• Restrictions on procurement of synthetic nucleic acids from non-compliant suppliers

ARPA-H also reserves the right to:

• Select all, some, one, or none of the proposals

• Negotiate only portions of proposals

• Remove proposals from consideration during negotiations

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Applicants should expect a meaningful preparation effort due to the two-step submission process and detailed proposal requirements.

The required Solution Video package includes:

• A 7-minute prerecorded video

• Transcript

• Supplemental slides

• Team overview

• Risk mitigation strategies

• Timeline and milestones

• Cost summary

The Full Proposal package requires:

• Technical & Management Proposal

• Cost Proposal

• Cost Proposal Workbook

• Administrative & National Policy documentation

Companies pursuing competitive submissions will likely need substantial coordination across technical, regulatory, commercialization, and management teams. Early registration in SAM.gov and the ARPA-H submission portal is strongly advised because registration processing may take “7–10 business days” or longer.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support applicants throughout the TIGAR application process, including:

• Assessing program fit and competitiveness

• Developing commercialization and technical positioning

• Structuring milestone-driven workplans

• Drafting and editing Solution Video materials

• Preparing compliant Full Proposal packages

• Developing cost narratives and supporting documentation

• Assisting with risk mitigation and evaluation alignment

• Supporting submission strategy across intake groups

We can also help teams translate complex technical concepts into clear, ARPA-H-aligned proposal narratives focused on impact, feasibility, commercialization potential, and user adoption.Additional Resources

Review solicitation here.