Status: Open. Stage 0 Declarations of Intent are due January 5, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET; concept papers January 15, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET.
Executive Summary
BARDA's Single Shield Prize pays up to $4M each to as many as eight Stage 0 winners ($32M pool) developing single-dose H5N1 vaccine platforms. U.S.-based for-profits, nonprofits and universities can enter. Declarations of Intent are due January 5, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET; concept papers January 15.
The Declaration of Intent is the gate. Only entrants with an approved intent can submit a concept paper, and the prize continues through two more stages, more than $80M in total.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Sponsor: BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority), DRIVe; prize administered by Luminary Labs
- Opportunity: Single Shield Prize, Stage 0 (concept stage)
- Award Type: Prize competition
- Funding: $32M Stage 0 pool, up to 8 winners, up to $4M each. Stage 1: $32M for up to 4 winners, up to $8M each. More than $80M across three stages
- Focus: Single-administration vaccine platforms against pandemic influenza A(H5N1)
- Due dates: Declaration of Intent January 5, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET; concept paper January 15, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the January 5 Declaration of Intent deadline.
What Is the Single Shield Prize?
Single Shield is a multi-stage prize competition backed by BARDA to speed up vaccine platforms that could protect people against H5N1 influenza with a single dose. Stage 0 is the concept stage: entrants describe their platform and plan in a concept paper, and winners move toward later, larger stages.
What Problem Is BARDA Trying to Solve?
Most influenza vaccines need more than one dose to give strong protection, which slows a response to a pandemic strain. BARDA wants platforms that can protect with one administration against H5N1, a strain it treats as a pandemic risk.
Funding and Award Terms
- Stage 0: $32M total, up to eight winners, up to $4M per winner
- Stage 1: $32M total, up to four winners, up to $8M per winner
- Overall: More than $80M across three stages
- Payment form: Prize awards, not grants or contracts
Eligibility Requirements
- Primary entrant: Must be a U.S.-based concern when it files the Declaration of Intent: incorporated in the U.S. (including U.S. subsidiaries of foreign parents) or with its principal place of business in the U.S.
- Entity types: For-profit companies, nonprofits and universities
- Foreign partners: Allowed, but the primary entrant leads the technical effort
- Export control: ITAR applies
- Not eligible: U.S. government employees and government support contractors
How to Apply
- File a Declaration of Intent: by January 5, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET on the prize site
- Wait for approval: only entrants with an approved intent move on
- Submit a concept paper: by January 15, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET
What Happens After You Submit?
- Concept paper review: Judges select up to eight Stage 0 winners
- Later stages: Stage 0 winners can compete in Stage 1 (up to four winners at up to $8M each) and beyond
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits vaccine platform companies, mRNA and other nucleic acid developers, adjuvant and delivery companies, and university teams with a single-dose approach that could apply to H5N1.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For prize competitions like Single Shield, we help you:
- Confirm eligibility: check the U.S.-based concern rule and your team structure before you file
- File the intent: prepare a clean Declaration of Intent ahead of January 5
- Write the concept paper: build a clear technical story around the single-dose case
- Plan the team: line up partners without weakening your role as primary entrant
- Prepare for later stages: map what Stage 1 will ask for
Plan Your Single Shield Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it due?
Declarations of Intent are due January 5, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET. Concept papers are due January 15, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET.
How much can I win?
Up to $4M per Stage 0 winner, from a $32M pool for up to eight winners.
Is this a grant?
No. It is a prize competition.
Who can enter?
For-profits, nonprofits and universities, as long as the primary entrant is a U.S.-based concern when it files the Declaration of Intent.
Can foreign partners join?
Yes, but the primary entrant must lead the technical effort.
What if I miss the Declaration of Intent?
Only entrants with an approved intent can submit a concept paper.
What does it focus on?
Single-administration vaccine platforms against pandemic influenza A(H5N1).
Can BW&CO help with a Single Shield submission?
Yes. BW&CO can run the submission with you, from the Declaration of Intent to the concept paper. Book a call with our team.